You’ve done it!

You’ve completed a quilt top! You followed all the steps: cutting, subcutting, stitching blocks, creating rows, combining the rows and adding borders. Woo-hoo!

You’re almost finished with your quilt…except the last step says, “Quilt as desired.” Is that just one step!? Where are the step-by-step instructions for “quilt as desired”? For some, “quilt as desired” means “take your quilt top to a long arm professional for quilting.” However, many quilters prefer to add their own personal touches to their quilts. Transforming your quilt top into a finished quilt requires a few more steps—and a little practice to learn how to “drive your domestic” machine.

The first step in “quilt as desired” is to identify a quilting plan: basic, allover, or custom. The basic function of quilting is to combine the three layers of the quilt together. This can be accomplished simply, using a basic approach, or with varying degrees of complexity using an allover or custom approach. The quilt approach you choose will depend on your skill level, the time available, and factors like who the quilt is for and how the quilt will be used.

Let’s take a look at three possible quilt approaches.

Basic

The most basic approach to quilting is to stitch in the ditch (or over the ditch) along the major axes of the quilt. This can be done with a machine-guided technique using any standard foot or using a free-motion technique with the feed dogs lowered and a free-motion foot. To add definition within the blocks, stitch in the ditch of the pieced shapes.

Once the major axes are stitched, free-motion embellishments can easily be added to add more personality to the quilt.

The basic approach is perfect for anyone who is not comfortable with free-motion quilting or when a simple line design will highlight the quilt top best.

Allover

The allover quilting approach is an edge-to-edge free-motion technique and the fastest way to complete any quilt. Choose a background or allover motif to stitch over the entire quilt.

This method adds texture and a subtle embellishment to the quilt but does not highlight the piecing or appliqué within the quilt top. Thread choice is very important when quilting an allover pattern. Choose a lightweight thread in a color that blends with most of the quilt fabrics. To add a little more personality, alternate two or three patterns over the top of the quilt.

Custom

Custom quilting goes beyond simply joining the three layers of the quilt. In custom quilting, the quilted line enhances specific elements of the quilt and pieces to create a more complex level of quilt design.

Each sec¬tion of the quilt has a separate design plan. Thread and quilting motifs are chosen to emphasize the quilt blocks or appliqué and to create focal points. This method requires the most amount of time to plan but can be accomplished by all skill levels.

Which quilt approach is most appropriate? Ask yourself:

• Who is this quilt for?
• How will it be used?
• How much time do I want to dedicate to quilting this top?
• How much focus do I want on the blocks or appliqué?
• What skills do I have now?
• What skills do I want to practice?

These questions will help determine the approach for every quilt.

Bonus Practice

Practice doodling and quilting The Easy Flower. It’s a great allover motif—even easier than meandering or stippling!

For more quilt motifs, Tuesday Tutorials, and daily inspiration visit Lori Kennedy’s website, and check out the rest of her series, “Driving Your Domestic: From Doodle to Done,” in future issues of Quiltmaker.