debcavan

Oh is that pretty. The colors look so great.

Hand quilting and fat don't go together. Use a thin batting. Also explore 108" wide fabrics. They are cheaper than piecing the regular yardage together most times.

Selena

You might try Marshall Dry Goods for backing fabric. I recently ordered from them and am very pleased. They have 108" wide fabric ( no seams -easier to hand quilt) for $7.99 a yard. Your quilt is beautiful.

Tippy

This is a beautiful quilt.. and it makes me think of music.. so I think you should call it Sarah's symphony... have fun quilting it.

bonnielass

How about for a name Sarah's Hope and Stars. It contains stars and will be in your hope chest.

jitkaau

If it is your first attempt at quilting, I recommend that you choose a thinner batting than what you are indicating. It is very difficult to quilt through fat batting. Your quilt is very nice and your ideas for the quilting sound fine. All the best with your project. (When you start improving with your quilting as you go along, don't be tempted to re - do all of your first blocks or you will never finish. Your first blocks will be a nice reminder to show your progression).

silver queen

Very pretty quilt! You did a great job.

munchkinmama

I can't give you any advice but I did want to say how much I love your quilt. You did such a great job at choosing the fabrics. I hope the quilting turns out the way you want it to.

Iamquilter

You mentioned that you would be putting it in your hope chest. Be sure to use acid free paper otherwise it will pick up oil spots from the wood and have brown spots all over it.Beautiful quilt. You could also quilt around each piece in the block.

helenhiwater

I always use high loft polyester batting because it is poofy. Home fabrics has the cheapest prices because it is sold by the roll for upholstry. The trick is to use a large quilting hoop, making sure the fabric is smooth front and back. Start at the center of the quilt and work out to the edge. With one hand on top and the other underneath, poke your needle straight down and up again with the other hand. It takes a little practice, but nobody will notice the uneven stiches. The further apart the pattern, the poofier it will be.

mcar

Why not Star Gazing, its so beautiful and will be used at "night" when all the stars are up above. or maybe Gallacy it has some of the real colors of stars.