How do you decide on a quilting design?

by Nicole

Ever since I got back from Quilt Con, I’ve been focused on making samples for upcoming classes.

I’m working on a sample for a paper piecing class at Thimble Pleasures using the Circle of Geese pattern by Piece by Number.

Now, I’m trying to decide how to quilt it. After taking Angela Walter’s workshop, my mind is swimming with ideas. Angela showed us so many different designs that I’m having a hard time deciding on which ones to go with.

Pebbles? Paisleys? Swirls? Geometrics?

Decisions. Decisions.

How do you decide on a quilting design?

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

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22 comments

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures March 13, 2013 - 12:09 pm

What a fun block. Sometimes I use a piece of clear vinyl and an erase pen. Draw different designs and lay it over the area to quilt. I quilt on my home machine so meandering is my fall back if hit a wall! Just recently started the organic line quilting and LOVE it!

CityHouseStudio March 13, 2013 - 12:37 pm

What a beautiful block!
I usually decide on a quilting design while I'm basting the quilt – spending an hour putting pins in the quilt top usually leads me to some type of design!

Rachel March 13, 2013 - 12:42 pm

Lovely block. The flying geese circle is on my list of blocks to do someday.

I usually take a picture of the quilt and start drawing on it in MS paint to decide on a quilt plan.

Leanne March 13, 2013 - 12:49 pm

I have only used lines in quilting those circles of geese so far. I think swirls might be fun or pebbles but whatever you pick will be lovely and fun.

Melia Mae Quilting March 13, 2013 - 12:49 pm

Your quilt is just beautiful! I don't really know how I pick a quilting design. I just load the quilt and then just start doing it and see what transpires, but that is because I am a newbie!

audrey March 13, 2013 - 1:28 pm

I love that block, but I had never thought to piece more than one together. I love it. No ideas on the quilting though!

Debbie March 13, 2013 - 1:44 pm

I have no real method of deciding how to quilt something. Sometimes I know all along; often I don't know till I sit down to quilt it. Sometimes I just want to try something new-to-me. Not much help here but anxious to see what you decide.

M-R Charbonneau March 13, 2013 - 1:45 pm

I put a piece of plexiglass over the top of the quilt and use an erasable marker to try out different patterns. It takes some time, but so worth it. Also, it helps practice the muscle memory for the quilting. Your blocks look great, Nicole!

sharpie March 13, 2013 - 2:24 pm

Beautiful!! I love the previous comment about using plexiglass to test of quilting ideas… Brilliant!

Valerie March 13, 2013 - 3:17 pm

I seriously pulled up that pattern yesterday to print it off-so funny! I think mimicking the piecing with an all over meandering triangle (instead of loops) would look great!

Sabrina March 13, 2013 - 3:36 pm

Eaaack! Your flying geese look amazing!

Gina March 13, 2013 - 4:12 pm

This is so fun!! Great job!

Heidi Staples March 13, 2013 - 5:28 pm

This will be beautiful, Nicole! My quilting pattern depends totally on the pattern I'm working with, but I usually keep it pretty simple.

Kelly March 13, 2013 - 6:29 pm

Love the geese – I think a mix of pebbles and geometrics would look very cool.

Katy Cameron March 13, 2013 - 8:07 pm

Oh man, I don't know! I've made plenty of these blocks, but all for other people, so the quilting was their problem!

Jenny Squawk March 13, 2013 - 8:33 pm

Right now, I take a picture of the quilt or part of it and add a layer in my paint program and start drawing with my bamboo wacom tablet. I can delete it fast, try different colors and make the lines super fine or chunky.

karen March 13, 2013 - 9:31 pm

Fun blocks Nicole!! For the basting step is where my inspiration comes, but I guess if you're going to use your longarm that doesn't help. I know you'll come up with something fabulous!

Janice March 13, 2013 - 11:53 pm

Beautiful! I'm teaching a paper-piecing class at the end of April, too! I always have the hardest time deciding on how to quilt anything. I think pebbling in the white would look pretty for this one!

Kate Brown March 14, 2013 - 1:48 am

Beautiful pattern!! I use the spray basting so after I baste it and hang it up I just look at it a bit till something comes to me. Sometimes they hang there for awhile and sometimes I am ready to quilt it right away. Not much help I know 🙁

knitnkwilt March 14, 2013 - 4:04 am

Love your triangles. When I am doing my own quilting, I seek a design I'll not have to mark because I've heard too many tales about people having trouble getting the marking out.

When I go to a longarmer, as I did with my most recent WIP, we discuss possibilities and then the longarmer takes off and does the designing. Someday I'll get brave and be more directive in the designing.

wish2stitch March 14, 2013 - 9:24 pm

That is such a cool version of flying geese. I have no idea on the quilting, just starting to get into quilting my own projects. Can't wait to see what you decide.

Hedda B. March 28, 2013 - 5:54 pm

Nicol,
as always YOU are a "force" of light on the world of patchwork and quilting. whenever i am feeling blue i pop over to your site and sure enough you have made something amazing and artistic and i am inspired!! i wanted to send you a photo of my latest Amish inspired geometrics but do not see where, or how, or if that is possible here?

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