Unicorn quilt
 

I am almost finished quilting my daughters unicorn quilt. All of you gave me such wonderful advice when I was trying to determine how to quilt it. I went with echo quilting on each block. I tried some other designs (flowers, etc.) but I just felt like it made the blocks look too busy and detracted from the unicorns, so I ripped out stitches and tried the echoing. My question is some of the unicorns and castles have pretty large, applique pieces and they are not lying flat and are a bit wavy. I hadn't planned on quilting within the designs, but thought maybe I should do something very simple here and there so the unruly appliques lie a bit flatter - or should I even worry about it?? Thanks so much for any advice!

Wonderful job! I wouldn't worry about it especially if your fabric hasn't been pre-washed!

I agree with Tartan.

And that has to be the cutest darn quilt I have seen in a long time. Has your daughter seen it yet or is it a surprise present for the holidays?

I did pre-wash it! Thank you!

Thanks so much! That is what I was thinking. So the pieces are appliqued on using a tiny flower pattern in metallic thread (hard to see from the photos), do you think I should do the outline in metallic also?

Thanks so much! She has definitely seen the quilt, I have been working on it over a year so I would have never been successful in hiding it.

She is going to be soooo happy when she gets this quilt. Don't stress the small stuff too much.

That is adorable! I agree with Tartan. Just outline a few of the areas to tack it down and it will be just fine.

That is so adorable and you are doing such a wonderful job on it.

Very cute animals. Very adorable quilt.

This is adorable and I think the echo lines and simple quilting is the perfect compliment to. The appliqués. If you want, you could sew along the edges of some of the large applieques but probably not needed. She will love it.

Is this your own design or a pattern? I saw some lovely unicorn fabric int he store the other day.

Thanks so much!!

Thank you! The pattern is called "Unicornia" by Claire Turpin.

I like them as they are. Because they haven't been quilted, the appliqued images stand out visually against the echo quilting backgrounds.:o The results are spectacular.

Very cute!

LOVE IT!! You've done a FABULOUS job!!
As far as more quilting on the appliques - IMO, just highlight a few key areas/spots - a few waves within the mane & tails, outline/in the ditch the appliques, etc and it will be plenty. It really looks wonderful!!


Donna Mc

Fun Fact. According to Wiki, Unicornia is an island country located in the Philippine Sea. Wow! Did not know that. :thumbup:

I didn't know that either! How cool! I might have to visit there someday!

Thank you all so much for the kind words and ideas for the appliques! I will play around with one of the blocks and see how they look with a bit of an outline or minimal stitching to hold the designs down just a bit. I love them the way they are also, but some of the pieces are pretty large and do have some wave to them so they might benefit from some minimal stitching. I am hoping to finish it up over Thanksgiving! Only two blocks and the borders to go! Thank you all!!

Oh how adorable! Have you washed the quilt? If you wash it and it still appears loose in certain areas I would go in and do inside echoing one time on the applique.

Darling quilt!!

That is so adorable! And your quilting is gorgeous!

Your echo quilting looks so very pretty; mine not so much. Beautiful quilt btw.

Yes, (worry about it).....hahaha......Don’t leave any areas unquilted at this point. Because of the amount of echoing you have done in the large blocks, your sashing between the large blocks should have an equal amount of quilting (proportionate to the size of the sashing). They need quilting in them to stabilize them and it will help the overall look and longevity of the quilt and make it lay flat. If you leave these areas unquilted they will sag with use and the piecing stitches may come loose over time.

a second thought: perhaps some straight lines or X’s in the sashing areas....they don’t need to be echoed. It would add interest to the echoing already done.

I agree with Tartan, and stay just a bit aside of the metallic thread.

I am definitely quilting the sashing, most have already been quilted. I was wondering what to do with the appliques since some pieces are rather large and a few have a bit of a a "wave" to them. I will probably try something very simple in one of the blocks and see how it looks.

Sorry tippydog. I was just admiring the quilting in the blocks. :-). About the appliqués......... :-). I would stitch through the large appliqués with blending threads to get them secured and to flatten them. (Personally I do not use invisible thread but I know many many people do like using it and that is another option).

In stitching through, I would find shapes to follow such as were appliqué pieces meet or simple follow the appliqué shape around outside edge. I agree with others that maybe a contrasting line for the sashing such as triangles or other sharp lines to offset the curvy echo quilting.

I thought of triangles because of unicorn horns. Maybe you can find ideas for quilting sashing by a search.

Yes, I should have clarified about finding a shape or something in the appliqué to follow. I would not just quilt a straight line through the appliqué. Thanks for the reminder.

I agree with Tartan

I think you're doing a fabulous quilting job. The quilt is so special!

So precious! She will love it.

Hi everyone,
Sorry for the blank post. I typed something out twice and neither time was there any text! Thank you for all of the advice! I did one simple outline inside the cloud appliques and the castle windows with silver metallic thread to match the white fabric with silver metallic in those pieces. I also stitched a little girl in one of the castle windows in metallic thread! I am getting ready to start the pink polka dog narrow border and am thinking of perhaps hoof shapes or maybe triangles for unicorns - or maybe some flowers? Any thoughts/ideas? Thanks so much!