Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Suggestions Needed

Dear Hubby, (bless his heart if he lives) woke me up this morning around 3:00 a.m. Usually, this isn't a big deal. I just grope around in the darkness, adjust him in bed and feel my way around back into my bed. The problem this morning?? Remember, I said yesterday that I slept 13 hours? Well, unless I'm totally exhausted, like I usually am, I can't go back to sleep. So I've been up a while.

It has all worked out fine. My mother in law is coming by today to cut Dear Hubby's hair, and I really wanted to get the sewing room straightened. So, that's what I've been up to this morning....very dark and early morning.....LOL.

Hence, the need for suggestions. While cleaning up I rediscovered (uncovered) this sweet little stitchery made for me last Christmas (???I think????) by my Dear Friend M. Finding the fabric you see on the borders on the table too, it just seemed logical to put them together. I even pieced a backing and got the sweet little thing basted. (I'm using those scraps from the Hopscotch Quilt....yes, from back in October, the scraps were still sitting on the sewing table.)

Now, here is where I need your opinion. This little quilt measures 11x13. I'm going to hand quilt it. How should I quilt it? When you quilt a stitchery, do you quilt around the stitches? Do you slide that needle and thread under the stitches or just quilt right on top of them? (yuck???) Do you ignore the middle section and just quilt the borders?

I'm at a standstill.....so start opinionating here!!!! Let's hear some ideas....please.


Happy Quilting!!!!!!

11 comments:

Stina Blomgren said...

Hi there...
When I quilt stitcheries...I can do both...but often I dont want to cross the stitchinglines..
But I have come up with my own solution...I quilt cross stich where needed...or in this case I would have quilted snowflakes...think it´s called diamond stitches...or just french knots... just like snow... Hope this give you an idea how to quilt!! Good luck :o)

Sweet P said...

I agree with Stina's comments. For a piece that small I limit the hand quilting I do or I add buttons or beads as embellishments to keep the quilting in place.

WhiteStone said...

I already agreed with Stina before I even read her comments. LOL. I was thinking snowflakes. But the French knots would be cool, too. The idea is to provide stability but not total "quilting". For the plaid, I'd go swirly lines. Would look like "wind" and the curving lines would enhance both the straight plaids and the emboidery. Looks Lovely!

Ann said...

I was going to suggest the same thing - little snowflakes to hold in place and then quilt the border.

Have fun!

P.S. - I'm the same way, if my husband or the dog wakes me up after 3:00 am - I might as well stay up!

Patti said...

Most people don't cross the stitchery with their quilting. Usually this causes the quilt to have large puffy areas and makes it look unfinished. I've seen stitchery quilts that have been quilted right over the stitchery, and you know what? They look just great. You don't notice the quilting going over the stitching lines, and there are no puffy places where the quilting is unbalanced. So my vote is to go right over the stitchery.

Sipiweske Quilts said...

What a cute piece - I love snowmen of any kind! I ran into this same problem not that long ago and eventually quilted the piece around the stitchery. Something like a cross-hatch/diamond pattern would also work - you'd be able to skip over what you needed to. The snowflakes would also be very pretty. Have fun with it and post it when it's done! - Marlene

em's scrapbag said...

I think Stina has the right idea. That frosty fellow is so handsome.

Cathi said...

That's an adorable little stitchery. I'm glad you asked the question as I've been wondering about that too!

Quilts And Pieces said...

I agree with Patti. I just saw a big stitchery quilt and they quilter quilted right over it and it looked great! Much nicer than going around it all.

Anonymous said...

I haven't a clue as to how to answer your question. I'm not a quilter, though I play one on TV - hah! I just wanted to comment on the quilt itself. I love - LOVE - the embroidered peice! What a cute snowman! And I think that the fabric you used for the border is perfect for it! I can't wait to see it finished.

Julia said...

I totally agree with Stina and WhiteStone. Little snowflakes or french knots would be adorable! Some sort of swirl in the border. This is just too cute!

I usually have to wake up around 3 am to head to the bathroom. hehe