Hi... To be blunt, I'm struggling with the quilt I said I wanted to make a few months ago. I've done applique once before, but I think I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew as I want so much detail in it, yet still determined to 'have a go'.

I've been planning a space themed quilt for a while and have drawn up some of the outlines/objects and alien/person that are going onto it. But, I still can't decided whether to add the odd painted bits to the applique before sewing them down. ie... the alien's face; do I (can I) print off a photo, add/alter some features and extra hair with fabric paint? Is it possible to even do this?

Also, does anyone know how I can get a metalic look in applique for a ship without using glittery show fabric? I would like to use shiny thread for this whilst doing the quilting.

Last question (for now :wink:)
I'm thinking of doing this as a total picture with the applique pieces overlapped across the whole quilt (rather than in separate blocks divided by sashing) yet feeling rather daunted at the prospect of such a lot of fabric to pin and pull round from the beginning.
Has anyone sewn quilts/art quilts like this and do you have any suggestions or tips?

Thanks so much for anyone that can sit me down and stop me procrastinating! :)
Joanne