hray

I've finally finished my "12 Days of Christmas" top (it only took 18 years and a pandemic). I know that I want to do FMQ holly leaf outlines in the sashing, and a wide ruler-template rope design in the outer border. But what about the blocks?

I think I'd like to do a simple diagonal cross-hatching. But I don't know whether to leave a gap (1/2", 1/4", ?) around the motifs, or stitch right up to them. And what about those, like the Two Turtle Doves or Five Golden Rings, that have a fair amount of internal white space? I do not want to quilt on the motifs themselves.

Ideas/suggestions/cautions would be appreciated! Thanks.

Cats8

Your quilt is absolutely beautiful. I think all of the ideas you have will be perfect for quilting it. Why don't you do your cross hatching and then see if it needs anything more. I go both ways about the gap. If you echo quilt about 1/4" away it would make a good stop for the cross hatching. Good Luck!
Jean in Colorado

sewingpup

Very pretty quilt.....if you go to mctavishquilting and look at her gallery, there is another christmas quilt that may also give you some ideas. Looks like she stitched in the ditch around the motifs and then echoed about a 1/4 of an inch and did the background fill.

Gay

Lovely quilt. I also was thinking Mctavishing in all the blocks.

jmoore

Congratulations on a beautiful finish. I just recently saw a YouTube video on quilting around applique. I’ll see if I can trace my steps to find it.

Jordan

I have no idea of what quilting design for you to use. Just wanted to let you know you made a beautiful quilt. I am sure you will get some wonderful quilting ideas from this board.

ekuw

I have an applique quilt that I am trying to decide how to quilt too, so I am interested in the feedback you are receiving. Just wanted to say that your quilt is beautiful and timeless. I would not have guessed it is already 18 years old!

hray

Thanks for the ideas; I found a couple different videos about quilting around appliqué and think I will use the idea of clear monofilament around the appliqué pieces.

Though I did want to do crosshatching, I think the McTavishing would be better because "oopses' will not show the way they might with a grid! But since this quilt is very special to me, I think I'll do a couple of McTavished table runners first to practice.

Thanks everyone!

Jingle

Very pretty. I have no ideas as I usually do just all over FMQ.

Tartan

Lovely top! I would outline quilt the motifs in the blocks and then do a background fill. Crosshatching in the backgrounds would work but I would do a smaller crosshatching.