I made these about 2 1/2 yrs ago when my daughter was in Afghanistan for a year. I got the tops all done and even spraybasted and because I am not very good at the quilting part they were never quilted. I figured since she is now in Iraq, I need to finish these. Any suggestions for the quilting? The quilting part is not my best skill.

The wall hanging is approx 18 x 21 and the lap quilt is approx 53 x 56

Gayle--I am horrible at machine quilting. I can never decide what to quilt and when I do, my execution is atrocious!

Your service stars are wonderful and deserve to be finished. How about just stippling it all over, but work in some stars in the stippling pattern?

Nice job!! It looks terrific! Stippling would look great--or even if you went straight on a diagonal?

Thank you to your daughter. :-)

I love them! I really like Marcia's idea.

I too want to say 'thank you' for your daughter's service. Because of her and other's faithfulness we may continue on in our daily lives, even in our country.

Yes, I would like to say thank you to your daugher also and all the brave solders with her.

I too really like Marcia's idea. Your quilt and wall hanging are beautiful.

You could echo quilting the star. But Marica's idea might be better.

Thank you for your suggestions. I am practicing my free-motion stipple on a charity quilt that I am trying to finish up before our next guild meeting. It is my first try. It doesn't look too bad, but I think I need more practice before I try it on these.

outline the star, then stipple the beige part,

on the red - use red thread to 'blend' it in, and choice:

1. stars and hearts
2. stars
3. in the ditch
4. stipple

but I would use beige thread on the beige and red on the red.. and nothing on the blue unless you want to do the very edge

that way the blue star is 'puffier' than the rest...

and you can have that blue star mother banner up all the time - active duty 'parents'!

our son was in Iraq for all of 06, he made warrant officer in June and is now in schooling...

Large stars in varigated thread would be wonderful on the beige part. Good Luck and prayers for Daughters safety.

I'd say some echo quilting around the star, and either in the ditch following the background, or stippling for the rest.

I would do a diagonal grid over the whole thing, but leaving the star to stand out in relief.