I liked the vibrancy and colours of this quilt.
How to quilt it? Well, it was very geometric with harsh lines, so I decided to soften the look by doing a more organic, rounded all-over spiral motif.
I didn’t stitch in the ditch, just started in the centre and worked my way out. However, I decided to use a 12 wt cotton thread and I had all sorts of trouble with it poking through the back. I think that was a combination using a size 20 needle for this weight thread, AND using a bobbin thread that matched the backing fabric, not the top thread. No matter what I did with the tension I had ‘pokies’ on both sides of the quilt — yellow poking through the navy, and black poking through to the top. I wasn’t happy with the back at all.
Lesson learned: When using a heavy weight thread and a large needle, make sure the bobbin thread matches the top thread, no matter what fabric colour is used on the back. That way any pokies will be less obvious.
(Click on a photo to view it larger)
Yellow ‘pokies’ on the back
Black ‘pokies’ on the front
Threads used:
- Top: Wonderfil Fruitti (12 wt, Egyptian cotton, colour FT01)
- Bottom: Fil-Tec Magna Glide Classic pre-wound bobbin (black)
Rhonda Bracey: At Random 
I haven’t worked with any thread quite that heavy, or needle that large, but I can totally understand how this would be a major challenge. Your quilting is very lovely, however!!!!!!
I like the heavier threads – they really add texture.