PattyPid

I could use some advice ... I've never embroidered on quilts before but I'm making a butterfly quilt and the need for making antennae has stopped me at this cross-road. Should I quilt first and then embroider or vice versa? Are there pitfalls in either method, such as hiding the ends of the embroidery thread if quilting first and how would I do that? Also, is there an embroidery stitch that's best to use for this? Thanks for your help, as always!!

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Mary L Booth

If it was me, I would do the embroider first, you can quilt around them.
I love the block.
Mary in TX

toolazy

That's going to be gorgeous!

I too would embroider first -- feather stitch, or else stem stitch with some stitches branching off the main line. I like stem stitch for things that will get lots of use because it's durable and doesn't snag easily.

ckcowl

embroider first---be difficult to embroider through all the layers.

NOELLA

Love your Block. Are you using necktie ends, if not good way to use them I too
would embroider first
Noella.

PattyPid

Thanks everyone! It's looking like embroidery first is best. Noella, I studied the Dresden Plate and Grandmother Fan designs and experimented until I got the shape I wanted. I cut a rectangle, folded it in half, sewed across at one end 1/4", trimmed at the fold area, turned it right side out, ironed so the point was centered, then cut the sides off holding the cardboard template I made over it.

Thank you all ... I appreciate your help and will explore that stem stitch, toolazy. It sounds like the most durable choice.

Aylahopper

That looks awesome! I have been collecting ties for a quilt. At first glance, I thought you had managed to get doubles of ties. Love what you did.

Andrea

toolazy

It occurred to me, if your block is not too small, you could also do the antenna by using either a narrow tube of fabric or ribbon (wash first!) -- just sew it down with a spiral or knot at the end.

grammy Dwynn

Love your block! Yes as everyone has said embroider first. Cannot wait to see your finished quilt.

Dolphyngyrl

You can do either. I have done it after quilting, its your preference. I did pigs tails and noses on my quilt after it was quilted because I forgot, and I didn't have any trouble doing it.