I love this quilt! And it's your first?? I love the colors and the scrappy look to it. This is just my opinion, but I think this quilt screams that you simply tie it. It looks like the kind that should be tied and since the patches are randomly set I really can't think of a suitable quilt design unless you just quilt in the ditch or do an open meander. But of course that's your choice. Have you tried any machine quilting? If not, maybe you would want to practice on something smaller first if you decide to machine quilt this. Anyway, you should be very proud of it.

The quilt is looking great, and Jasper is a very handsome guy! Both my cats love to be on quilts, too. I have a miniature quilt top here on the sewing table and I laid the batting I'm going to use on top of it, and of course it has a cat on top of that! She's sulking because I wouldn't drop everything and pet her a while ago.

Donna

That is just my kind of quilt, I love it. And it must be good, it is Cat Approved.

I like your new fabric too. I'm starting a collection of sewing fabrics for a "me" quilt. I'll see if I have any vacuum fabrics in my stash.

beverly

Great job, Bobby! Love the colors in your quilt. I would suggest that you tie this quilt also. Maybe get some embroidery floss the colors in the quilt and scatter the colored ties all over the quilt. I would advise that you practice free motion quilting on small projects first.

Teresa

This is a great quilt!! I love the colors and you did a great job putting it all together. Your cat is a doll and it seems he approves of your new passion. (At least a quilt doesn't make any noise, like a vacuum does.) ~LOL~ I agree with everyone else, tying would be perfect. The only thing I would worry about it Jasper, he might like to pull on the threads. Or maybe not.

Great job and thanks for sharing your first quilt!

Susan

Bobby~your quilt turned out great! I agree tying or tacking, using one of your decorative stitches on your new sewing machine, would be perfect. I second what Teresa said, this quilt would be too frustrating for you to try free motion to quilt it, simply because of the size.

About the border, your teacher was "teaching" you the right way to attach the borders. The pressed marks she had you do are guides to match to corresponding marks you make on the quilt top dividing it into quarters. You then 'ease in the difference' (like the lady had you do) between the the quarters, spreading or stretching as necessary throughout, so you end up with flat borders. It is more work, but you will be happy with the results- the easy way isn't always the best way when sewing :)(said very nicely). Your teacher sounds good, and her job is to annoy you with the right way, so you will be happy with the results. All that said - many people do it the easy way~LOL.

When you wash your quilt, make sure to use Color Catchers - it concerns me that the dripping water from an iron is making some of your fabrics bleed. The Color catchers will keep those loose dyes from redepositing on your fabrics.

You should be very proud of your quilt. I wondered if you gave up- I am so glad you kept working on it.

It's turned out very nice. I like your colors, and I think it's good some same colors touch. It makes them look like bigger complex pieces. Jasper DOES seem pleased with it, doesn't he!

The quilt is lovely and the cat is adorable. A great combination.

As far as the iron goes: I never use steam when pressing my quilt because I think it leads to some distortion. Use a dry iron instead.

The borders: Rivergirl is right and so was your teacher. I can't say I always do that but if your quilt is 'off' at all and not perfectly squared up (most of them aren't!) then your teacher's method will make sure it is all squared up. The sew and cut method is much easier but not a great idea.

The quilting: I love to do free motion meander quilting so that's what I would probably do on this one, but tying would be great as well. And it's very appropriate for this style of quilt. I like the quilt pattern very much and your choice of colors! I also think using the walking foot and doing diagonal lines one way, then the other way (making diamond patterns all over the quilt) would be nice too. Practice a little on some other fabric until you know which method you want to use.

Great job!

Kate

nice job on the quilt! great color combinations. I think tying with embroidery floss would be nice. Keep up the good work!
Sue/polardream

Cats and quilts are natural partners, LOL!

Excellent job on the top. I like it. I think some free-motion meandering quilting would look wonderful on that top.

If you want to tie the quilt I would suggest either the embroidery floss, or perle cotton. I think they would both hold up better than yarn.

Thanks for the sweet responses... having people to share the experience with makes it so much more better! I will definitely look into tying it.