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Great idea, Margo. Because I did the SID along the major block lines vertically and horizontally and then outlined the outside portions of the blue logs, it would be quite easy to unstitch the SID I did on the vertical and horizontals to leave the pale blue open. I think i would like that much better.

In the meantime, the original color thread I chose for the FMQ in the light areas, King Tut Angel Teal, blended so beautifully into the fabric that you could not see the design at all. That was not my intent! Good or bad, I really think you need to see the quilting in the pale blue area so I played with King Tut Ascher Teal and liked it much better. I did take a quilt sandwich with all the fabrics I'm using and tested everything and documented what I did so that I don't have any surprises on the backing!

This is so much fun. I just wish I knew what I was doing! Anyone out there hosting a homestay program for not so young quilting students? I cook good Chinese and Italian food!

Just be aware that if you SID ESS then quilt your swirls, you will loose the dimension in the swirls because they would be broken up by the SID. In this case, I would SID just the outside of the blue patches.

Because I have never been able to do pretty swirls freehand, I would like to suggest that you try to do a meandering line and double back on it to create a ribbon effect in the white where it will show. Until December 31 (2012) you can watch Libby's threadplay video to see how she creates this ribbon effect: / (check about minute 15)

SID the blue logs to give them some linear definition and freehand a design or find a pretty stencil to showcase in the outer border.

Hi, Dixie--I'm taking a class on Craftsy with Cindy Needham right now and she recommends to SID ESS (every stinkin' seam) with a light weight polyester thread that won't show, like Superior Bottom Line, for example, to stabilize all the seams and so that you don't get uneven bumps and lumps in unexpected places after you've done the free motion quilting. So, for example, on my current project, the holiday runner, I've done SID ESS with Bottom Line thread in a neutral color that blends into the fabric (in my case a medium grey) before starting the actual with quilting with King Tut 40 weight that will show clearly on the surface of the quilt.

Hi Dixie, I don't know about a longarm but on my domestic machine I would SID all seams and then do the spirals. I would imagine it is the same for a longarm but somebody else would be better qualified to answer that.

I have a question about SID.Do you SID and then quilt spirals all over and would you do the same for a longarm? Thanks, Dixie

Thanks for the reminder Renata. I just had a look at that tutorial again - I had forgotten all about them. I will have to look at the rest of them tomorrow. I hope you get to practice your swirls and have some luck with it.

I finally found some instruction for the kind of swirl (with a hook) that I was trying to practice without much success. It was right here on TQS in the Classroom section with Patsy Thompson [url]learn/classrooms/[/url] minute 4:45. Thanks again for the help your sent my way on this.

Thanks, Norma. I actually (believe it or not) got through the spirals as shown by Sarah Vedeler and Teri Lucas. I used Angela Walters method to get basically to the same place. Where I'm still having difficulty is transitioning from one spiral to the next in a more random pattern over a larger area, rather than in rows. What I'm really trying to get a grip on is swirls with hooks and can't seem to get the right...

Rosemary, the idea of different size stars is outstanding. I'm also going to play and see if I can combine spirals and stars... wouldn't that be something? What do you all think: will I ever get this runner done?

This month's free motion quilt challenge is about spirals.
I learned a lot from it and I think you can benefit too.
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.dk/

Random 5 pointed stars are good (well they worked for me on the AAQI quilt). Remember to throw in the odd larger one & smaller one and it works a treat

Hi, Rita! I just finished watching (mind you, just watching... ) Cindy Needham's class on Craftsy from beginning to end before I actually go through the class step-by-step. So, yes, I am SIDding ESS for this little quilt as we speak to get the practice in so I haven't gotten to the swirls part yet. Actually, I misspoke about swirls, they are actually Angela Walters' concentric circles that I have gotten comfortable with (with and without the pearls). I really don't know how to move around with swirls yet. I keep trying on a dry erase board and I always get stuck somewhere! I am less and less sure about how good concentric circles would look so I am thinking about it all while doing the SID ESS. Why didn't I think of stars to match the stars fabric : --of course, great idea. I think I'll be doodling some more today. I have the thread now--King Tut Angel Teal and Edwardian Blue. I really get stuck on the quilting part... but I am so glad you all are out there to help get me unstuck while learning!

Renata, I love your table runner. Swirls would be lovely and if you do a little practice beforehand you should be able to do it well. Will you SID ESS first? I find that takes the pressure off because everything is already quilted before you begin to do the swirls. Another idea would be to do stars - you know those 5-pointed ones that are relatively easy to quilt? Anyway, whatever you do it will be lovely. Very nice piecing too.

Thanks, Becky, very clear!