When it comes to quilting any given project, I have a hard time giving any specific advice. There are so many choices at this point. Do you hand or machine quilt? Simple or fancy? Neutral or contrasting thread? So many questions...

Consequently, for this project all I can do is share my own process, and hope these tips are helpful for you.

To begin with, I very rarely hand quilt my projects any more. As much as I love that process, it takes a long time and would therefore limit time for other projects. And there are no long arm quilting services where I live. So out of necessity I have learned to machine quilt. (For this purpose I even had my industrial sewing machine adapted for free motion quilting!)

1. I cut my backing fabric and batting about 3 to 4 inches larger than the quilt top, along all edges. I prefer spray basting all my large quilts, and proceeded to do so in this case.

2, Stitch in the ditch: whenever possible, as was this case, I stitch in the ditch along all sashing and block seam lines. And in this particular  case I also stitched in the ditch along the strips of each cat block.

3. With any applique block I usually free motion quilt around the different pieces. So, in this case, I quilted around the outline of each cat head, and then used a simple filler for the background area. Sometimes straight lines and sometimes curves. The lines are faint in the images below, but I think you can make out the designs.

4. For the border I chose a very simple zig-zag pattern. This, too, was free motion quilted.

5. Once you have finished the quilting, don't forget to square up and trim the quilt. All that is left is to bind it... and don't forget your label!

****************************************

I hope you have enjoyed this project! I look forward to seeing your finished quilts.

****************************************

ONCE AGAIN:

Follow me on Instagram @angiesbits and post your progress pics to #blackcatquiltsewalong   OR on Facebook at Angie's Bits 'n Pieces OR, if you prefer, post your pics on my Black Cat Quilt Pinterest Board

Let's see those photos!