lfletcher

I love the pounce chalk and stencils. I apply the chalk with a small foam paintbrush rather than pounce it. This way I just get in the cutouts of the stencil and less of a mess.

romille

I found the pattern at a local shop, but have seen it online too. I am pasting a link below to the site for the pattern, you can search around for it. The pattern is full color and nicely done. This quilt requires a lot of cutting and piecing. If I do it again I may just buy some precut mini charms instead of cutting all those black squares. If you do make it and cut your own, I highly recommend a Shape Cut slotted ruler... I picked a couple of them up part way through the cutting and it made life so much easier. I have a small Shape Cut and the large Shape Cut Pro. The Pro is a must have in my opinion!

http://sheripapedesigns.com/
and a video demo of the Shape Cut Pro: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6ncnrALmFhk

Tartan

Gorgeous quilt top!! I can see why you want to do a meander. Meander to me is a non quilt pattern. It quilts the quilt but doesn't distract from the pattern. I really can't think of a design that would work on your woven design without impacting the design except SITD and I wouldn't want to attempt that.

How are you at a large meander? I tend to have trouble keeping my spacing consistent over a whole quilt. There are meander patterns that are in a block format that you can work across the quilt. Is this what you were thinking of using? If so I don't think a pounce would be very visible over the variety of fabrics in your top. I might find a meander block that would work and make a paper master block pattern. I would then use some method to stitch the design through a pattern. I would either make tissue paper tear aways or use Golden Thread paper.

Do you intend to wash your quilt when you finish quilting? I have been thinking of using the idea I saw this month on marking with ordinary white chalkboard chalk. You use a makeup pencil to sharpen it to a nice point and mark your design on the quilt top. It said to erase it with a micro fiber cloth but I tried a sample and I could still see the line. I am going to try this method on my next quilt but wash it afterwards to remove the remaining chalk lines. Sorry this is so long but I wouldn't want to mess that beautiful top up either!

Holice

Yes a stencil and pounce will help. The reason is that it will keep your design consistent in size. I have found that most beginner fmq students either are too large or too small in size of the motif. Practice does NOT make perfect unless you have discovered a good technique. There are meandering stencils available in a number of sizes. I recommend the miracle chalk powder as it will stay on the quilt longer.

mighty

There is some really good info here, I agree marking it would probably make it easier. Your quilt is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ohstr

I like to use a stencil - but instead of a pounce pad and chalk - just put the chalk into a container and use a small foam brush to apply the chalk to the quilt top. you can put/paint the chalk right on the lines of the stencil - instead of all over the top of the stencil. It is no where as messy and you don't end up with chalk all over the place. Plus when you are quilting the extra chalk tends to "bounce" all over the top. Try the chalk and a foam brush... I like it!!!

romille

Thanks for all the suggestions! Opinions seem mixed, so I think I will try a variety and see what works best for me. I will start without a stencil and see how it goes... I will have to order one anyway since I haven't seen one locally yet. I will try it freehand, with paper, and with stencil/chalk... and I will give the foam brush trick a shot too. Luckily one of the ladies at a local shop gave me some scrap batting so I can start with that, and some clearanced fabric I picked up for practicing.

romille

Don't know, never tried it! This will be my first attempt.



Yes, I am sure it will be hard to stay consistent, especially since I am new at this. I will definitely try out this paper method, it sounds like it might be good for me.



Yes I think I will. This is only my second quilt, so I am still learning and experimenting. I want to know what happens when I wash one... plus if I use this quilt I am going to have to wash it anyway because my dogs see using a lap blanket/quilt as an open invitation for lap time. I will definitely use a color catcher with it, since there is a wide range of colors. I will keep this method of marking in mind as well!

Thanks!

gale

I've never used my pounce. However, that quilt is gorgeous!!

Grandma Bonnie

I am no help but I love your quilt! It is beautiful!!!!