Quilting Question

I know we have a few quilters here so I thought I'd pose a question to you all. I just finished a class learning how to hand applique and I now have a completed applique quilt top. I've never appliqued before and have absolutely no idea what sort of design to quilt into it. It's a wall hanging, so it doesn't need to be a tight enough design to stand up to daily wear and tear, but I'd like to be able to do it by hand (seems wrong to machine quilt if the whole rest of the quilt was by hand) so nothing too complex.

Here's the quilt, with Cotton helping of course.


Original

Any suggestions?

I would take it to a good quilting supply/fabric store and look at the different patterns they have to offer.You have a lot of options in that you have borders that could be quilted in a different yet complimentary pattern from what you may want to quilt the body of your wall hanging with.It's very pretty!

I've seen people simply square off each block (e.g. stitch near the edge), and I've seen people extend the pattern of the applique just outside the applique with quilting stitches. Or, you could use some of the flower or leaf pattern in the applique and quilt them in the open areas.

I don't think it needs a lot of quilting, as it's beautiful just the way it is! Very nicely done!!!

(I don't really quilt, but my mom was a quilting queen)

Originally Posted by lizzie

I would take it to a good quilting supply/fabric store and look at the different patterns they have to offer.You have a lot of options in that you have borders that could be quilted in a different yet complimentary pattern from what you may want to quilt the body of your wall hanging with.It's very pretty!

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Thanks!
If I can't decided on anything I might take it back to the shop where I took the class and see what they suggest. The also do long-arm quilting and I've had several pieces done there before, so I know they have some cool patterns.

Originally Posted by Momofmany

I've seen people simply square off each block (e.g. stitch near the edge), and I've seen people extend the pattern of the applique just outside the applique with quilting stitches. Or, you could use some of the flower or leaf pattern in the applique and quilt them in the open areas.

Click to expand...

I've been thinking about that. I've seen the extend the pattern out about 1/4" and quilt it and it's really quite nice. I may have to go back through the pattern book and see if I can translate any of the other blocks into a pattern for the white space.

Originally Posted by Momofmany

I don't think it needs a lot of quilting, as it's beautiful just the way it is! Very nicely done!!!

(I don't really quilt, but my mom was a quilting queen)

Click to expand...

Thanks!
I was pretty nervous about how it would turn out since it's my first applique piece and it's SO different from what I usually make.

Thank you both for the suggestions.
Now I just have to try not to over-think it.

I have no advice as I don't know a thing about quilting, but I just had to say I love the way Cotton so helpfully held the quilt down so you could photograph it.

Originally Posted by Ms. Freya

I may have to go back through the pattern book and see if I can translate any of the other blocks into a pattern for the white space.

Click to expand...

Get yourself some shear paper and you can make a template from a pattern in a book. I would suspect that using tracing paper to transfer it onto the quilt top itself could work. They do sell tracing paper that washes out in fabric stores.

Originally Posted by pushylady

I have no advice as I don't know a thing about quilting, but I just had to say I love the way Cotton so helpfully held the quilt down so you could photograph it.

Click to expand...

He's very good at it.
We get into a pattern: Pin the quilt, move the cat, Pin the quilt, move the cat...

Originally Posted by Momofmany

Get yourself some shear paper and you can make a template from a pattern in a book. I would suspect that using tracing paper to transfer it onto the quilt top itself could work. They do sell tracing paper that washes out in fabric stores.

Click to expand...

I'll have to look for that. I think I'll start by quilting around the exisitng patterna dn then see if I think it needs any more after that. Wish me luck.

oh that is a really pretty quilt!