I have to tell you, I was so
scared to start quilting the big deer. I was having a hard time trying to decide what was the best way to tackle it, so I put it off as long as I could. The issue I struggled with was trying to figure out the best way to do make him look kind of furry and not obscure the painted hairs. In the paintings, the deer appear very shaggy, so I stitched around the painted hairs using the direction of the strokes as my guide for the quilting.
I used two different brown
Superior Bottom Line threads, a light brown for the cheek, chest and belly and dark brown for the rest. Bottom line is very thin, I used this specifically because I wanted the quilted texture, but I did not want the thread itself to stand out too much. I used a basic stipple quilting stitch on his antlers to make them appear more like they have a short velvety texture.
Judy,
ReplyDeleteYou and this piece is just amazing.
Looks great! This is my favorite of all your quilts.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! absolutely AMAZING!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe quilting on the deer enhances him wonderfully. This has been such fun (and suspenseful) to follow along with.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you overcame your fear and did an amazing job capturing the texture of the deer.
ReplyDeleteI love following along with you and seeing how the quilt is unfolding. I love how you quilted the antlers and love the closeups to see the rest of the quilting of the deer. He does look really shaggy to me. Thanks for taking the time to document the quilt and how you are choosing to do what you do. I know it will help me with my quilting.
ReplyDeleteLaura T
Genius - to use the bottom line. It looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteJust when I think that this piece couldn't get any better, you then show an additional step. Truly a gorgeous work. Wow! I hope that when you get it back from this show that you enter it into next year's Pacific International Quilt Festival so that I can see it in person. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying watching this so much! The way you quilted that deer is exactly right.
ReplyDeleteI love watching this quilt come to life! I love Bottom Line thread in my bobbin but hadn't thought of using it on top. I will have to remember this hint. Thanks for sharing your process. The process is my favorite part of quilting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support everyone. There is always a bit of anxiety when creating a big piece of art. It's that little voice that nags at you, that with each step in the process you could screw it up. But the important thing to keep in mind while working is it usually works out just fine so you need to tell that insecure voice to be quiet.
ReplyDeleteTami, this quilt will go into a traveling exhibit for Kaufman fabrics using their Kona solid fabrics. I actually don't know the schedule or venues for it right now, other than Road to California, but when I find out I will post it on the blog.
You achieved your goal splendidly, the deer is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying seeing how a work is created and knowing that all artists have some fears
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the process with us. The quilt is astonishing.
ReplyDeleteWow - your deer looks furry! Fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adore that deer. It's wonderfully shaggy! Wondering what you will decide on the little one...
ReplyDeleteHi Melly, The quilt will be rectangular (with 90° corners).
ReplyDelete