Wednesday 7 April 2010

A light bulb moment!




















I just had an idea that might help my poor Tail Feathers quilt. Thank you so much to everyone who has made some suggestions. They've probably been swimming around in my mind overnight and helped contribute to this new idea.

Since I can't make it any worse I've got several options. I could try stippling in the stitching panels but as Karen said, this might just move the excess fabric around into wrinkles.

Or I could give up and shove it in a cupboard.

OR - and here's my idea - I could cut some little holes in the back and put some wadding in behind each panel to stuff it out. Then it would be really 3D (Amelia put the 3D effect into my head). Then I'd have to applique something clever over each of the holes. I can't make it any worse I'm sure, and at the moment I'm so disheartened with it that it's just likely to end up in a cupboard, so it's probably worth a try.

What do you reckon?

12 comments:

Simone de Klerk said...

You have been very busy, Amanda. I am so sorry about your feather quilt after having put so much work into it. I think your new solution would be just fine and your will find a good solution for the small holes you will have to make. Good luck.
Hope your weather is as beautiful as ours!

Jo in TAS said...

I'd be unpicking before stuffing, it's a big job to unpick all the quilting but it's the only way you'll ever be really happy with it. Then stipple all over it.

Amelia said...

Not because I came up with the 3D effect - but I think that is definitely worth a try...Try it out on one - see if you like it...if not...store it away...if the look is better than before...go ahead and do the rest of the cute panels.

Let us know your decision.

crafty diane said...

Actually that might not be such a bad idea. Try one block and see how it looks. It would really make your embroidery squares pop!
Blessings,
Diane

Marie said...

Oh I love that quilt, please don't put it in the cupboard. A little quilting n the blocks will fix it or do the 3-D thing- you always do such nice work!!!!Have a great day my friend. Hugs, Marie

Marie said...

I love that quilt and I am sure you will find the right fix. Have a great day my friend. Hugs, Marie

Lynn said...

I saw yesterday's post and feel so bad for you. I have been there, believe me. I would worry too about the stippling in the backgrounds it may make it more bumping at the seams of the blocks. I like your idea. Or you could (I hate to say this) take out the embroidered blocks, scrap evertying else and start over again.

Candace said...

I'll be anxious to see your solution Amanda, I'm sure you'll save it. I know you said it's worse in person, but it looks pretty to me now.

Bec said...

Oh dear, you poor thing after all that work making the quilt and then quilting it. I really don't know what to suggest. Maybe you could email and ask some quilters??? Deb Louie here in Australia would be a good one to ask for ideas. If not then try any quilter; they're all bound to have a few ideas and this is their field.

ladydi said...

I like your idea of stuffing each square with a bit of batting. A little outline quilting should hold it together. Another option may be to put it away for a year. By next year you will look at it from a different perspective, and see what we all see. A gorgeous quilt!

Tanya said...

Hmm. This is a problem I ALWAYS come across when making embroidery quilts. How do the professionals do it? It IS a beautiful quilt though.

Gretchen said...

Oh what a dilemma. I hope your idea works. I am sorry that I don't have any suggestions.