mtkoldra

this is my piano quilt, I want the center panel to be the main focus in that quilt and did not wanted to surround it with blocks. I still need to add the top section, then, I think, a thin dark border followed by a 'piano border' made of various gray and black fabrics.

When I look at this picture I am a bit concerned that the negative space is too big (the fabric is music notes). I would love to hear from you, what you think or if you have any suggestions for me.
thank you

ruby2shoes

I had a similar quandary with a quilt I made. I wanted the centre motifs of dark batiks to be the focus of the quilt and had quite a large area of negative space around it. Like you, I didn't want to detract the eye from the focus point but wanted to be sure I had adequate quilting in the negative space. I decided to quilt the entire quilt in a close spiral approximately 3/4" between lines. The closer the spiral lines, the less they "stand out" at a distance...they tend to blend into the background. I used several different coloured threads so that I could match the areas I was quilting through. I think I achieved the look I wanted......the centre motifs "stand out" and the spiral quilting adds texture, interest and stability without competing with the motifs. Doing a continuous spiral on a quilt 70" x 70" is an awkward process at the beginning but once you start to move outwards it does become easier. One thing I didn't consider is that with the close quilting I was adding quite a bit of weight to the quilt so manouvering and turning the quilt took some effort at times. I quilted it on my Juki TL2010Q. I hope this helps you come to a decision, your quilt is lovely.

Tartan

The negative space gives you lots of room for quilting. I really like Ruby2shoes texture with the quilting.

Monale

Love that spiral quilting! Is that done FMQ or with a walking foot?

quilterpurpledog

I really like the texture quilting in the photo above. It really gives lovely support for the lovely pattern. I think your piano quilt would be enhanced by this type of quilting. I like the curved lines and think that type of treatment would look nice on your quilt. Please show us again after you complete your quilt.

feline fanatic

I would do something like this replicated throughout the background

https://www.freepik.com/premium-vect...=2&position=27

Freckles48

What about musical notes placed randomly?

indycat32

I think there's too much negative space. It overwhelms the piano, which should be the focus of the quilt.

Kitsie

Really like the way you have quilted it. Immediately pulls the eye to the center!

mtkoldra

Ok, I think that I agree with you, do you have any suggestions? I can trim the sides and make the top narrower as well. Not even sure about the bottom of the quilt, I wanted to incorporate the 3 PP blocks somewhere, not sure about current placement also. As you can see I am not sure about this quilt. Besides the center block, I am creating the rest, maybe not too creative for the moment. Thank you all for the comments