Quilt - How Do I Quilt Thee

This is the original poem.

How Do I Love Thee

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

- by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806-1861

This is my version of the poem.

How Do I Quilt Thee

How do I quilt thee? Let me count the ways.

I quilt thee to thy length and width
As far as thy borders shall reach.
I quilt thee to the level needed,

Every 4 inches, by sun and Ott light.

I quilt thee freely without marking.

I quilt thee surely without hesitation.

I quilt thee in the ditch, with feathers and stippling
I quilt thee in my nightgown throughout the night.

And, if God choose, I shall bind thee too.

How Do I Quilt Thee is the name of a pink and brown quilt I have been working on for some time. It has strips of on-point Ohio Star blocks separated by strips of vining appliqued flowers and leaves. The border also has similar applique. This is more applique than I have ever used. I've named the quilt this way because I have been wondering if the quilting strategy needs to be different for a quilt that is heavily appliqued. I don't have the answer yet...