Straight line quilting okay for this??

[Lois B.]

This is so very exciting! There's light at the end of the tunnel. Looking good.

[Renata L.]

Heather, what a wonderful quilt and great memory! Look forward to seeing it again with closeups too, if you can! So cool!

[Renata L.]

thanks all!!!

Now a question --- I don't know if I'm "done" or not yet.

I have done:
--stitch in the ditch at each place where blocks join (but not each seam w/in each block), so every ~12 inches, both horizontally and vertically, including down the seams where the border pieces join
--the FMQ in the center blocks, outlining those (pics up thread)
and now,
--horizontal straight line quilting all the way across, spaced ~ every 2"

It's going to be a bed quilt, so I don't want it super tight and stiff. Do I need to add either more horizontal lines (one between each that I already have), or some more vertical lines (maybe going down each seam inside each block, which would space the vertical lines ~4" apart instead of 12" apart)?, or both???

I'm stopping for today -- it's 5 o'clock, I got ALL the horizontal lines done and finished the FMQ, so that is a LOT for one day! But I definitely don't want this thing falling apart on me later! or batting turning into wads of separated batting, etc. I don't know what kind of batting I have, and not sure how to find out, but I know that even the "tightest" together says about 2 to 4 inches, right? Just not clear if that's both ways, one way, whatever.

Thanks for any help! I can't wait to show you guys pictures when it is done!

[Margo C.]

Normally, I would say check the packaging that came with the batting to see what they recommend for spacing. Since you don't have that option, I suggest that you do both vertical and horizontal lines 4" apart and see how that looks to you. Personally, I consider that to be bare minimum of quilting.

If you decide that you want more quilting, it's then an easy matter to go back and stitch between those lines so that your grid is now just 2" apart.
You could then go ahead and divide the space again so your lines are 1" apart. That will give lots of visual texture and hold the quilt together well for one intended to be used, but still far enough apart to leave it cuddly. It's just a matter of personal taste, and getting enough stitching so that the threads don't break when the quilt's fabrics are subjected to tugging and pulling.

[Margo C.]

Looking brilliant there, Heather - cheering you on to the finish!

[Lotti D.]

Timothy will love it forever! What a fabulous quilt this is!

[Lotti D.]

Finished it!!!

Here it is on my blog -- http://quiltingonawhim.blogspot.com....rip-quilt.html

Here is a picture of it --
on his bed...


holding it up...


Thanks for all the encouragement along the way!

[wendy w.]

Well done, your lad looks proud

[Lotti D.]

Someone's looking very very proud! And he has every reason to be! You've both done a wonderful job!!!

[Nancy R.]

It looks great! Good job!!

Nancy

[Lois B.]

Congratulations! Job well done.

[Renata L.]

That IS a great quilt, Heather! Congratulations!!!

[Renata L.]

thanks, everyone!! I am just so THRILLED! to have it done I learned so very much doing this, and feel so much more confident. I will do a couple of small things and then start cutting fabric for my next son's quilt --- that one, he designed and I just converted his idea to an EQ7 drawing. (that is for my son who is 12; he's super creative). I think his will be easier in some ways, not least of which -- because now I know what I'm doing! LOL!

I feel like each one of you helped me along the way somehow, from tips, encouragement, teaching me stuff, cheering me on -- thank you guys, so much. Seriously.

[Constance G.]

Heather, isn't finishing a quilt the greatest feeling?! (Well, not that I have experienced that feeling very often, but my friends tell me that it feels great! :shock: )

[Norma H.]

Congratulations. You both did a great job.