Ok, You asked for it

Howdy!

Quilting thread that doesn't show? Why bother?

In my quilting world the quilting should, often does, enhance the pattern of the top, whether traditional, contemporary, art or somebody's drag around blankie quilt. "Quilting makes the quilt." I understand about not wanting to detract from the pattern. Large areas unquilted? No, please. My opinions; YMMV.

"M> >> Well after an extended session today here is my latest quilt. The

...and isnt the best way to have it 'evenly quilted' across the whole top? else the big 'unquilted' areas will sag and shift over time. thats what i learned somewhere and i stick to that theory. jeanne

Dear John,

(No, it's not a Dear John letter as we know it.)

As it is coming up to winter here in Australia, and I am a learner - first year apprentice quilter and senior - I believe it would be inspirational if the quilt found it's way to my home so that I could study it, snuggle it, hug it, test it, and get back to you with the report on how good it is.

Awaiting your most generous offer to test it.

Regards,

fabrics?

I agree after much thought. I may play with the spacing of the various areas as they develop but leaving large areas unquilted would be a no- no, especially if you ever have to wash the quilt. And yes, the colors are from the solids stash.

John

In message , Sandy Ellison writes

Here's my two-penn'orth. You know the rule about face make-up, that you should have strong eye make-up and more neutral lips, or neutral eyes and strong lip colour, but you should never have strong eyes and strong lips? Well I think quilts are like that. Some quilts the blocks are less important than the incredible quilting, and some quilts the quilting is just to bring out the amazing piecing. Too much of both and the result is often less striking than if the designer had been more restrained.

I tend to pick quilting thread that doesn't show because what I like best about quilting is the pattern of light and shade it casts on the fabric, not the lines of the quilting itself.

Large unquilted areas (depending what you mean by "large") on the whole I'd say no. I've seen quilts like this and they just look kind of saggy and wrong. At the very least you should stitch in the ditch, just to stop sagginess. But some unquilted areas as part of a design can be effective, especially contrasted with very close stippling. It causes a really textured quilt, with a kind of trapunto effect, that you can't resist touching.

Once final thought - rules are made to be broken.

Sandy, You should be so proud of the increased begging skills some have learned. It's been taken to new heights. Gen

Not only has John shown himself to be an incredibly talented quilter he also seems impervious to the skillfully executed feminine whiles and subterfuge exhibited in this group. Because of the chromosome factor he's probably immune to the BBC (Bribery By Chocolate) Ploy as well........we're going to have to use large clubs, duct tape and sharp pointy things to get hold of any of those quilts. *sigh*

Former new best friend and Ninja in training, Val

Just remember I have a nail gun and I'm not afraid to use it.

John

ouch!! if only they'd spelled it differently all those centurys ago.... we'd all be in short sleeves. oh well, jeanne

Only one nail gun John ? I think there are 3 or 4 nail/brad guns in the workshop here.

I don't count the power tools and fishing rods any more......

Dee in Oz

LOL!

I can't even wrap my head around a project like this, John. It's simply wonderful and kudos to you!

Nancy in NS