free motion quilting

[hillsider]

Hi, i am making a basket quilt eac of 20 blocks is a different basket.
one basket has flowers made of flower garden blooms. I am trying to find right design for the blooms. Do I stitch 1/4 on either side of each seam of each bloom? would it be better to hand quilt? Thanks for your expertise. JO

[Ittybittygma]

Hi Jo, I am not an expert but I have done a few appliques like that. I really like a machine stitched satin stitch for an outline edging. Or for a simpler edging, just use a small zigzag stitch on the edge. Try a sample on a scrap of fabric or a sample block to see what you like best. I would think the 1/4" would be too large. I try to stay close to the edge either way. You could hand stitch them down too for a neat look.

I fuse them down first or do the sew together with backing (rt sides together) then small slit in backing to turn right side out and sew around outside edge. Eleanor Burns does her appliques that way and they are so neat and no ragged edges.

Hope others will offer their opinions as well. Just thought I would make a suggestion here for you. Good luck and God bless. Sounds like a really pretty quilt with baskets full of flowers or whatever you put in them. Please post pics when you finish a few. Would love to see finished quilt too.

Hugs, Shirley Mae

[Ittybittygma]

Just another thought. The color of the thread will make a diff in the finished look as well. Contrast is pretty but matching thread will not detract from the flower petals as much. Try a little of both on a sample and see which you like best.

Again, God bless you as you quilt. Keep us posted on your progress.

Hugs again, Shirley Mae