I'm going to lose my mind...

...when I start quilting this king-sized monster on my machine with a five inch throat! Ackkk! Wonder if I can talk Hubby into that Juki 98Q or Janome 1600P DB for Valentines Day?? Wonder if he reads this blog? (SewVac direct has the Juki for $550 and the Janome for $700...) (in case you do read this) (love you) (really!) : )
It's in three section now. I'm trying to decide on whether or not I want to add divider strips between the sections. Last night I did up the design in EQ6 to play with it a little and I think the strips would look okay, to match the border. I love EQ6, but wish there was a way to make blocks that aren't square. I had to do the strips as sections of 11 blocks. It would be nice to be able to do the strip pattern, without breaking it into squares.
I want to get this top done this weekend and get it basted. I found a great way to baste by Sharon Schamber on you-tube. Since Sharon just won the 2007 $100,000 Quilt Challenge with her quilt 'Scarlet Serenade,' I think I'm going to try her method. Well that, and I'd have to rent a hall to spread this monster out on the floor for basting. And, if i was on my knees that long, I don't think I could get back up!!! Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA

The technique is from Jane Hardy Miller's book, French Braid Quilts. Today I hunt for a batik to match the small squares and also for backing fabric. I don't like the look of the original border fabric anymore.