The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside => Current Projects => Topic started by: Manuela on October 01, 2018, 03:09:08 AM
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Ever since I saw images of this quilt, I thought it would be perfect in our bedroom in Thailand.
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Most probably I do it without batting and I intend to do a similar quilting effect like the fishies in the original.
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However, I will use a ready made fish print qilting cotton to provide me with the fishes - that way I have a chance to ctually finish it at some point.
Here is the fish print I ordered
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As a base fabric I'll use bleached denim with a faint tie dye effect I found on the Hawker's Bazaar - it is nice and soft from all the pre-teatment.
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I'll indend to do the applique by hand. I've only ever done machine applique before.... Given that this will be a 2.50 x 2.50m quilt, I think quilt as you go (4 ginormous blocks) would be the best approach.
Any hints/suggestions/experience are more than welcome. Once the fish fabric arrives I'll start - wish me luck.
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Applique all those fish by hand?? Mad, crazy!! ;)
I like the colours of the original fishies, blues and sandy colours, but I have to say, not so sure about your greeny ones?
I actually really don't like fish anyway, it's the flippy-flappy-flutteryness of them!
Good luck with all that sewing though 0_0
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I don't like the shades of brown/mud of the fishes in the original... There is another option, most of these fishes are rater small though.
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I've tried and tested appliqueing the smallest of the big fishes (the one with the reddish belly) and am happy with the result apart from the size. Will see how it looks when the other fabric arrives. Creating fishes from scratchnis not an option :P
Our place in Thailand is furnished in the colours of the beach, rocks and sea. We're both scuba divers, hence both of us love the idea of a bed spread with schools (or shoals?) of fish on it.
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Yes, bigger fishies will make it a bit easier and quicker! Your background fabric looks a fab colour too.
Me, I couldn't possibly do scuba diving because of the fishes, I'd break out in a cold sweat and probably go into full panic attack mode!!
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Whats your largest /smallest fishies size at??
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Whats your largest /smallest fishies size at??
@Iminei in the light blue fabric: 4", 3.5" and 3".
In the dark fabric: the two largest are 5" the smallest are 3.5".
I have to see if it looks good when I combine the large silvery fish from the light fabric with the greenish ones from the other print. The fabric will be here later this week.
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Patience is a virtue @Manuela ... there will be something swimming your way tomorrow, no doubt ... ;)
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Erm...the first fabric is all freshwater fish from North America and they are mostly greenies like that. The second fabric has both ocean going and freshwater fish. I fish...in North America.
I'll show myself out... :fish: :fish: :fish:
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Erm...the first fabric is all freshwater fish from North America and they are mostly greenies like that. The second fabric has both ocean going and freshwater fish. I fish...in North America.
I'll show myself out... :fish: :fish: :fish:
I'll just interbreed them :devil:
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Something fishy is on its way to you as I type M.
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Something fishy is on its way to you as I type M.
That sounds vey exiting :)
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I actually have a small stack of fish fabrics, mostly trout. Brook IIRC. OH fishes so I was going to make "something" for him. Currently it could manifest as a quilt.
This should be fun Manuela. I also found that original quilt you showed stunning.
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The lovely @Iminei was kind enough to send two fish print fabics half way around the world for me :D One of them will fit very nicely into this project.
Thank you very much Imi.
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I managed to find a mackerel print fabric that is perfect for the quilt.
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It'l look great with the base fabric.
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For variety I'll use the teal/grey coloured fishies Iminei so kindly sent to me. Mr Manuela will get a fishy dressing gown and I'll make pillow covers from the first fishy print :)
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Fun project!
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KxBeE7z9hTUFdL8EnVF7Aj4DAM8ueIKdCMH1jYgTF4oFT1VGdkgJO960kNFCPSO2EZq9JeNpfpeYIuKmxXWBHQemd-Ns6ydWf6Dd_xlsivCFstGvNYtVOuf9sjTPoiNBj6qZBE3Nf-757JMAjvUJI02yJIVHDnW_vzVqETMjUBo7u1BOt1SeD5uAx8WWjolJM6TS5uH_PE4OR3MXVMV7dnuzb2f7BHEqJc0X9pIfhYYmMQ5xUxJHmZu2FB1TlTDp-p8TmnzjxjSHp6DTvxstmBmMs6s0T1Ybpv_QtUkjsUczIs26gGag6KWbnZ5rKaqmXPk8dwlB1yISmIe_EyOkrs05ChIH4Ya5itN7OKeM1F0E8XpV4cXVZbb2RyeiO-wZPlOjFCFSLIzUgZZGp2gouoLObkK4euXFeT_IHE3sl79BeETw_WcgJ817cijTr32LVmH3RCUkUux9blogIxyUI22fkU0IUSQMAYyQITf1oZyJRNCztcjewyNNrt60G-Yt-oHojerT6xc0Zc0KUSSJyZn09FgRaG4lmwgr1yb2P296BhU1dY3i3leLJ2MuKHtHrLsHBytH1-fo1OhPy5quxwFJdTLYnQ19T_ZN_jnZcxDp1eYNfhGuD9RLRF4m2eocQ9AA11cV9Ttxz_ImDy_hK-lGSxgrMeX7TN0qs3yxeiSNw1tZGV-PrJp6Z8NTwlv5HeGR_Ci7XmtIww=w255-h341-no)
THIS (https://photos.app.goo.gl/PiLdMX5KZR5mgB88A) gorgeous hanging was up in Midsommer Quilting Yesterday ... I took several pics for you to dissect ....
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Thank you @Iminei, much appeciated.
So far I over-dyed the mackerel print with sand/beige to make it more muted. Happy with the result. I also bought a rather luxurious silk batting and this backing fabric
(https://images.fabric.com/images/693/693/0405077.jpg)
I’ll spend the first 3 weeks of July in Thailand supervising the renovation (more like a rebuild) of the spare room into an office/cinema, this is when I’ll start with the applique....
I still need to find something for the binding, I thing a black and white stripe would look nice, either squiggly or about 1-1.5 cm wide. Haven’t been successful in finding it yet.
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I did a bit of appliqué practice this morning. The original fishies after dyeing the fabric and a substitute base (the original fabric is thinner and much more marbled).
Bottom left: grey thread at the back, beige thread at the belly. I’m a tad disappointed with the result, the belly doesn’t look quite right
Bottom right: grey upper thread, beige bobbin thread. Not a good idea, due to the different thickness in several areas.
Top: grey top and bobbin thread - currently my favourite
I have some clear and smoke coloured invisible polyester thread coming (softer than nylon thread and not scratchy) and will see how that looks (as upper thread only).
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What an ambitious project you’ve set yourself! I look forward to seeing it finished.
I like the bottom left fish, but maybe variety is a good idea just as in the real world :D
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I think subtle differences in threads are hard to see in a pic ...
All of them look good to me but only you can really tell.... Do what your eyes (and heart) tell you!
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I moved he thread to the main section, so that @Iminei can easily spot it when I have questions :devil:
This is my project for July, when I’ll be in Thailand for 3 weeks for a renovation project. Tinkering with machines, checking which buttonholer works best with what machine, etc., I decided to take Isabella, my Singer 338K with me. Then I’ll play with the cams and see if any of the other stitches look better than the zig zag I did today.
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Looking back at the pics ... with my glasses on ..... you could do a lot of 'shading' with a slightly wider (SL) zig zag ...
to give the appearance of the curve of the belly etc ... quite exciting stuff ...
Why not try a light to medium blue grey on the bellies, the thread on the back look fine as is I think ...
I have some (well an embarrassing amount) of my fishy fabric left, I might have a play too ... only zig zag you say?
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Looking back at the pics ... with my glasses on ..... you could do a lot of 'shading' with a slightly wider (SL) zig zag ...
to give the appearance of the curve of the belly etc ... quite exciting stuff ...
Why not try a light to medium blue grey on the bellies, the thread on the back look fine as is I think ...
I have some (well an embarrassing amount) of my fishy fabric left, I might have a play too ... only zig zag you say?
I suspect I’ll be able to change the width of the decorative stitches using the cams on the 338K. Esmeralda the Pink is a basic entry level machine I bought at John Lewis a few years back. While she sews brilliantly and makes excellent buttonholes (with a vintage buttonholer) apart from the zig zag the width of the decorative stitches can’t be changed.
I’ll probably play around with the quilting, bubbles and fishes instead of straight lines. That said, I’s love to see what you come up with using your fishy fabrics....
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I’ve started working on it.... Decided to QAYG, and began at the upper left quarter. The bubbles are already sewn on, so far 5 fishes are done - still loads of work and then 3 more. This is going to take a while, it’s a king size quilt.
I decided to use invisible polyester thread for the appliqué, quilting will be done in either light blue or off white.
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I really like the look and design of this. I'm a sucker for a nice fish motif...and a salmon breakfast. :P
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I did some minor changes to the layout - adding some fishes to make the shoal more crowded and let the ‘strays’ stand out a bit more. 7 are sewn on, many more to go. Won’t get around doing that over the weekend though.
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It's lovely.
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How about some overlapping ones ??
or chopping a couple so you see the tail peeking out one side of the quilt and the head from t'other edge
and maybe just one swimming against the tide? :devil:
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@Iminei overlapping is a great idea, why didn’t I think of it.....
Not keen on the chopping, as that would mean hand appliqué on the finished quilt, but there will definitely be some swimming against the tide (or swirl)
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Its lovely and reminds me of my fishy dishy (https://photos.app.goo.gl/LVMXkwYuLk6USm3q9) workshop ... not too happy with the result BUT Technique learned (Lightest fabric on the BOTTOM Imi you klutz!) and I will get back to it!
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Maybe a tiny tuck in one side of one or two to give a 'motion' to the tail.
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This is the big hanging from Claire Passmore
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gsrx3JtW3ubrnGa8Lal4YxzLR8yOpsv6crGM3RtW3G4VH7si0uoLFRfwNjiDp23QbHoOqOKvtTfuLSuhGdbPRqXEv7_ESjPv_IntKhR2ocbGXzunu_8c7JWCgMxQ8GizLikG5sL4WtRRACd2TkqLjfd0kbznBSB4I5Z169dV-mhmpyDwX32hYoX-QUtcBo8yPIrbZaOwr-1hZhpNKeCkj7_8lUX0xuDe0FGl2oCCHuuk50c9ZWMQxEy-pmabCDVvQW8w4M8ApKBwMr9ZdVoSrWXqmYNe45nKJ4LjEvsk_K48fy3u-5DpSeyJeb7345u9KEkl99pb-uFA00J3Fy9YIoAUMroe_PQoPK9qd_DWOKuadqg0uvdxBH0xGH1tNNySP-KNa-g6RQgbnxUax-DjuhbRmn3IPQo1PRqLall1Shb99Wx04xUZ_VJY-UimPjgUxTJzBVgmOLkCwL9osgO3oByj9vXMq9ipr1rbHa-Ghbccvik4dA70HgwI-Ez8UvQLeldgy1KQMhVaxVwF7dxzPVhd4GjVHKn4PRQ_s5PXnFOvIYM6HTJjzuV1NysWZO2Ebpg39yVzFhjs-4nGMQKQ-CECnxHvOHMV3Pe0Axy12pAqnL4GIgcxQ06oK7ytM2-cwW_pFwzCDAzEfcxwOJs7Pt2ZrGeHPBUETluoMOKy0X33n76FfRafPjSRLloYtn6fNJ1rrDTyaOVgInnNN3k=w347-h575-no)
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Gorgeous, mine will be a lot less arty though. It’s going to be king size and I’d like to finish it as it is needed....
There are 42 fishes on the first quarter :o
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I bit the bullet, took stock of all the fishes that move clockwise and put them in Tupperware containers. So, I have basically roughly 50 fishes per square. I’ll use the ani-clockwise swimming ones as ‘stray’s’ and ‘rule breakers’ ;)
I added 8 more to the existing square, that looks now proper crowded.
Well over 200 fishes to appliqué then, 20 are done...
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Pic please of proper crowded!
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@Iminei here you go.... bad lighting though, it’s 8:30 pm here. I am finally happy with it :)
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In a better light. I added some smaller water bubbles, it’s now all sewn on :angel:
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@Iminei, should or shouldn't I shrink the batting? I chose Quilters Dream Orient batting, a bamboo/silk/tensely/cotton mix...
ETA: I answered my own question by opening the package and reading the instructions. The manufacturer doesn’t recommend pre-shrinking. Hence, I steamed the batting instead. It is ever so soft and lovely <3
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Shrinking ???? Steaming ???? Schmeaming ???? :S
I just bung the three layers together and hope for the best!
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I’m layering it now :) @Iminei, don’t forget, I’m a tailor at heart..., pressing, shrinking, steaming are my middle names ;)
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Some quilting practice, fish and two different sized bubbles. I’ll also stitch around the appliquéd bubbles to make them pop.
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Do you have a template for the fish ??? They look perfect!
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I took the outline of the existing fish, simplified it a bit and copied it onto freezer paper. Started quilting last night, that will be an uphill battle.
Today I definitely take a break and make a dress.
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The first quarter quilted....
But, and this is a big but.... do I like it enough to continue, or should I file it as experience (or inexperience that is)?
The biggest problem is the main fabric, it’s chambray, hence very slippery, therefore those ripples everywhere....
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Ripples are good. They represent the ever moving nature of water. An inspired choice of design feature, @Manuela
Really, do continue. I look forward to seeing this quilt progress.
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As a bog standard beginner, I rather like the ripples.......they indicate the movement of water! A friend of mine does some very nice seahorse/fish/starfish pictures made out of broken bits of jewellery, and when she has completed them she mounts them onto creased organza which looks really water like (she also manages to sell them for £300 each!)
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Mr Manuela will arrive shortly, I’ll see if he likes it. At the moments it’s a ‘nay’ from me. There is no point in continuing if I don’t like it, I just won’t enjoy it. It would become a chore, hence I’d rather not waste my time on it - given work, study and all of that, it’d take me a year or more to complete. I’ll sleep on it and see how I feel tomorrow. Chambray is chambray and does what it does, in hindsight a poor choice of fabric.
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A shame you feel like that, I really like the ripples. Let's hope Mr M likes it.
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Ripples are the water ... inspired ... peeps spend ages trying to get that effect!
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Mr Manuela likes it, I still don’t. I think about it in the morning again... It could end up as a bathroom mat or a bedside rug....
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You could just use that quarter as a wall hanging or table mat/runner of sorts?
I like it but you are 100% right about you having to like it and enjoy making it
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The project is shelved, I admit defeat. :'(
I’ll make an pieced ombre quilt in blue instead, using this:
(https://images.fabric.com/images/693/693/0620737.jpg)
At least I’ll be able to use the batting and backing fabric...
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Awwwwww .... But, Its still a beautiful thing.
Back it , Bind it, Add a sleeve and use it as a Unique Wall hanging!
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Good idea- then sell to the highest bidder!
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Awwwwww .... But, Its still a beautiful thing.
Back it , Bind it, Add a sleeve and use it as a Unique Wall hanging!
@Iminei, this is backed, hence I was so disappointed and started hating it. I don’t do wall hangings, not really my cup of tea. It may end up as a bathroom mat or pillow cases...
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Pillowcases would be a grand idea!