It looks like a pig without a tail. If I was doing it I'd do an outline stitch for the mouth and give him a slight smile. He looks like he is also enjoying the sunshine so how about closed eyes again with an outline stitch?

They sure do look like pigs! There was never a moment of hesitation when I looked at them - I knew they were pigs immediately. And they're cute, to boot!! Keep working on them - you'll be happy when it's finished - really!!!

They are very adorable pigs! I do love pigs.

They're really SWEET. Keep going please!
MK

I think it is so cute!!! For making the tails, how about making a thin tube of bias cut material and putting a piece of pipe cleaner in it. That way you can curl it, and simply tack it onto the pigs bum.

Keep going! I like what you have already done. The leg creases, the curly Q tails already suggested, and perhaps some little eyes, embroidered, small crystals, or sequins, might also be cute. Anxiously waiting to see the finished product, and also some pics along the way. m

They are quite unusual in that they do not represent the piggy bank style of pig and look quite realistic in shape.If your machine can do blanket stitch, why not try a tiny one and see if you like it any better than the satin stitch?

I think they are cute just like they are, maybe add curly tail, and yes they do look like pigs!

They're adorable! Leave them as they are.

Very creative--how about just emb. on a tail or a piece of fuzzy ribbon tacked down with the end loose to wave around.

They are so cute, great job

I think your pigs look cute. I don't feel they need the detail that you're stressing out over with satin stitching. Tail, yes. How.... I tried to look up pictures of pig tails. I think this one looks best, but other than a back stitch (like one that would be used for cross stitching), I can't think of any other way to do this. I think marker would be to the detriment of what you've completed thus far.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/PORTER-PIG-MA...LOCK-AZEB-/10/!BhlT42QB2k~$(KGrHqYOKj4EsD))VVgKBLJyPERe8Q~~_35.J PG

I would help but I don't do pigs.

These are adorable. I like them the way they are and you can see that they are pigs/ Maybe a curly ribbon for the tail?

They are just as cute as can be and look like a pig for sure. Maybe just sew a curly tail with yarn or heavy thread. Cute just as they are. AND I'm a country gal that knows pigs.LOL

This is my first time responding, as there are usually so many good ideas...but I didn't see this one! If you are going to machine applique, why not just draw a little curly tail where you want it, and machine stitch it with the same tight stitch you're using to go around the pig...I do a lot of applique work on quilts, and this is the way I would show a tail. Good luck...your pigs are really cute!

The pigs are adorable. Could I suggest that you give them a mouth and nostrils? I somehow see a smiling face on these cute critters.

These are cute pigs. don't chnage what you are doing.

I think your pigs are beautiful without the embellishment; a suggestion of pig is more effective than details with those nice batiks. A curly tail is the only addition I would consider, and your idea of cording would be great. Couch it in place if it would catch on things in use, leave it 3D if the quilt will be a wall hanging. You could also use fuzzy yarn, baby yarn, and the like, mixing and matching to the different batiks used. Each end of the tail could go through the fabric to the backside, using a large eye needle as in tying a quilt, to avoid ends fraying or having to be knotted. Or how about a tiny strip of pig-matching fabric glued on with permanent fabric glue, and couched or zigzagged in place, if desired, for added security.

I agree they do need a tail but nothing distracting. I think i'd use a flesh tone floss and just do a small curly-que one small little loop and in a color similar to the pig in a simple back-stitch or stem stitch. The pigs are GREAT and i especially like the color pallette you are using! makes it all look classy chic vs kid-like.

Those pigs look like cute little "Wilbur" pigs to me! Very cute concept on that quilt!

Charity_Crafter...
That block you shared is a complete crack up! I think I'm going to make a mug rug out of that for a friend of mine WHO LOVES PIGS... sooo funny. Thanks for that link!

I love them, you can use clear thread, JoAnns has that. It is hard to match colors. and if you are sewing by hand there is a thread a grayish brown that works good. take the pictures in the store and hold them up to the threads. But check out the clear thread. Your Idea is good on making bigger quilts. I love your idea. thanks for sharing

They look just like pigs. Great job. I think an eye would bring them to life.

They look really good to me, the way they are facing you do'nt even need to worry about tails, love the batiks.

delma

Adorable piggies ... the cut-out speaks for itself ... I don't think I'd add any details, except an embroidered curly tail. The batik is busy already ... I'm not sure adding details will enhance. You've got a great start ... just keep going! You're gonna love it and we want to see it when you're done!

Your pigs are cute.
How about just free motion stitching just inside the pig and grass? Just do a double line, go around twice. You don't have to be careful to stitch on the same line. For the tails, lightly draw with a pencil how you want it, then, free motion that also.
You said that you had crinkles in the legs, well, when you wash the quilt, you will have many more crinkles and won't see those.
Relax and have fun with it.

I think your little pigs are addorable! I have useded a small zig zag in place of the satin stitch for applique before and was pleased with the results.

After adding a curly tail, your pigs look great. What a clever idea. When I saw that you needed help with 'pigs', I thought you might have meant "Projects In Grocery Sacks' like most of us have in our sewing roooms!!!

ditto

I would use a little seed bead for the eye and either paint a curly tail with a pigma pen or embroider the tail freehand. This quilt will be darling!

Just a curly tail and your pigs would be perfect in mho, but then that is my opinion !

Too cute-pigs in a hole in the barn door. Just what they love in real life is escape! ;-) I wouldn't add any detail except the tail and MAYBE a small line for a smile and/or a couple french knots for eye,nostril. Too much detail kind of detracts from the batik and the effect. For applique, I like the small blanket stitch with invisble or matching thread.

Try braiding some 4-ply yarn very tightly. Leave long ends and, using a yarn needle, pull them through the fabric and batting. Tie the ends together securely. If the braid is tight enough, it will curl and you have a 3-D tail.

I love these ! like the painted ponies !!

have you checked out Cincinatti's site about the flying pigs? fun statues.. maybe give you some ideas

http://cincinnati.com/bigpiggig/profiles.html

Watch the children's cartoon OLIVIA on Nicklodian for extra hints. Curly tail idea is good, and maybe a curved line for the mouth. You'll enjoy OLIVIA. If you don't do anything, your is very cute.

Ah, the pitfalls of perfectionism! Don't be so hard on yourself...

These are really cute pigs .... and yes, just a squiggly embroidered tail would be fine ....

Remember - the finished product is much greater than the sum of its parts ..... Balance your blocks for eye-appeal .... enhance as much or as little as your imagination is sparked by the process .... and remember that the borders, the quilting and all else will change your perspective as you progress.

Just keep at it and you will see it all coming together in no time .....

I'll be anxious to see the final accomplishment.

I think they look like pigs just from the form you made, I think that the less detail the better. You could try putting a curly tail on them in satin stitch of same value of thread, and then consider cutting, fusing and stitching on a small inner ear. A single stitch around the nose profile, perhaps a little stitching on the hooves just to ground them. I just finished a baby quilt of appliques, and there wasnt so much stitching as cut out pieces appliqued on top and then stitched. You are correct, it is hard to control satin stitch, and I found that if you are trying to use it to hold the applique in place, it is usually too much and too heavy.:)

Looks very good to me but they do need a little curly tail of some sort, possibly embroidered on.

I'd say do each piggy's tail just a bit different. They are all individuals! and a eye. Leave all the other details off,won't show much on the batiks anyway. How about pearl cotton or embroidery floss for tail and leave little end loose?? Could tack down to make curly or up over back, ect...

Agreed, I think they are perfect as is and I'd just quilt in the areas around them. They are adorable.