I have been wanting to make myself a pig quilt for a couple of years now. I finally started it but I really don't like it. I don't have a pattern and am just trying to wing it. I am making each pig a different color from batiks. I haven't done very much applique but I am doing it here. My problem (one of them) is the details on the pigs. I am horrible at satin stitching and have been ripping them out as much as I have been sewing them. I started with black thread but it looked awful. Switched to a darker color in the pig and looked better. I am making creases in the legs, body,ears,etc. Is this overdoing it? How am I going to make their tails? Can you tell they are pigs without all this extra sewing? Any help and ideas would really be appreciated. Don't know why I ever started this!!!!! I have only had one quilt in the past that I wanted to throw away and this one is getting very close to that....LOL...thank you

First, they look just like pigs to me the way they are. I don't think you need to do anything else except maybe embroider a curly tail. They are very cute.

He's a very nice pig. What is the problem with satin stitches? Are you doing them by machine or hand? How a small running stitch for the twisty tail? Honestly they look like cute pigs without any other embellisments. Sometimes adding more takes away from the cuteness.

Since you like pigs, I found this one recently -a cute flying pig applique pattern:

http://www.fatcatpatterns.com/PDFs/2008_WhenPigsFly.pdf

I assume you are using a die cut since they look so nicely cut out so this will probably not work... but I'm going to say it anyway...
If you could make them 1/4" bigger on all the sides, sew it right sides together with a thin possibly fusible interfacing, then cut a slit in the interfacing... snip your curves and turn it right side out. Use a chopstick or something to get your curves all nice looking. Iron it out and then you can just place it where you want it to be and sew it down.
If you are using fusible interfacing make sure you iron it on to something that it won't stick to - I keep a larger piece of that non sticky paper from heat n bond for stuff like that ;)

That is going to be so cute. I'm sorry I won't be much help with the tail. I'm looking forward seeing what all the QB comes up with. Then you will have to decide which one to use. QB is sew creative!

Think your pigs are precious as they are. I use a Flexion pigma pen to detail & if it doesn't look like enough, I do a decorative stitch over the pen.

They look like pigs to me but I agree with sparkys mom that you do need the curly tail. I am gratified to see that your pigs don't have those done-to-death-wings on them. I am curious about why you picked pigs as a subject. Will you tell us? Do you raise pigs for market? Is pork your favorite meat?
Just curious.

Yes, I agree it looks terrible. since you want to throw it away I will send you my addy and pay for shipping. No way this piggy quilt is too cute! I agree maybe hand embroider some simple piggy tails and use something for a little eye or maybe just leave it. Too cute!

Use clear nylon thread with a small "sock" in the spool and regular thread for bobbin thread. Just do a small zig zag around the edges. You can barely see it and it will hold just fine. Now relax and hand embroider some simple tails on the cuties.

Have you thought of doing the tails with fabric? I don't know how big the pigs are but if you cut a skinny length of fabric, fold it in half longwise then sew down the side with a long stitch, turn it right sides out then pull on the thread it should curl up a bit... ?
I think some bent ears would be adorable.

I think that you're doing a great job on your pigs, very cute. How about just hand embroidery the tails on? If you don't like the satin stitches, how about a blanket stitch? Personally, I prefer the blanket stitch versus the satin stitch, but I think it's a personal choice.

I think ur pigs are adorable!!!! I coudl tell right off they were pigs... I would hand embroider a curling tail and leave the other embellising off... I think in this case less is more...u have done a great job.. on everything.. the pigs looks like pigs, the grass looks like grass...
If ur havign problems with the satin stitch ( I freq do with small then pieces, like legs) Howabout using a small blanket stitch in a simular thread color to each piggy?
Maybe u just need to take a break..... that helps me sometimes.......

I love piggies too.......

Yep, that is all they need. A cut curly tail!!!

I guess I looked at the first picture differently than everyone else. At first I saw what looked like a laughing hyena just the way the dots are. Look down under the chin of the pig at the 1st (i think) black dot that has a orange dog directly across from it, they look like eyes. In between the eyes it looks like a nose with a mouth just under it. Then went to 2nd poto and saw a pig, so went back up to 1st and finally seen pig.LOL I'm old so guess my eyes are playing tricks on me. It is going to be darling. Keep it up. BTW it would help my poor old eyes with a curly tail.HeHeHE

your little piggies are simply adoreable :) I have pot bellied piggy family and adore them, your piggies look very realistic and natural. I would love to see the finished quilt.

I think your pigs a sweet.I knew right off what they were.
I understand the block design, Hole in the Barndoor. Have you tried a larger block to see what it looks like? Other than that, it looks fine.
As far as the stitching, just be patient, take your time around each one and it will turn out fine.

The look like pigs to me.

OMG your pigs are sew cute!! I love how you put them on Churn dash blocks that are monochromatic. I can't wait for you to picture the whole quilt.

And yes they look like pigs as they are, in fact you could even leave off the curly tail as there is no question these are pigs. And if they are fused then I also agree with annaquilts in how to sew them down with a clear monofiliment thread and small zig zag. The monos they offer today at better LQS are not like the fishing line of the past. The threads are fine like human hair and some have no reflection so they are indeed invisible until you are right on top of them. You could also use a silk in a neutral gray that would also virtually disappear on the gorgeous batiks.

You siggy line states you have a LA so you could LA your curly tail and little details in the quilting if you still feel the pigs need it.

Please make sure you post a pic of the whole pig quilt when done.

PS I too am curious why you feel compelled to make a pig quilt. Do you just like pigs? Charlottes Web a favorite of your youth? The applique you have certainl reminds me of one of the illustrations of Wilbur.

I think it's cute and an awesome idea. If it were me, I'd use a blanket stitch instead of satin stitch, use a french knot for the eye and emroider a curly-q tail.

Suzy

I am going to put a picture of my "black" satin stitch( shouldn't but I will) This one is to be trashed! I do have all the pigs sewn on already to the background....problem is details. I don't know why I love pigs but have been collecting them for a couple years. I see them on TV and they intrigue me. They are such smart creatures. After I get it together(if I get that far) I am going to add apples, etc for a little more color. Thank you so far for all the suggestions.

I would just hand embroider a curly tail on your pigs. They look really cute the way they are. I would match the tail floss to the colour of the pig or as close as you can get. When I first read your post I was thinking P.I.G.S. as in projects in grocery sacks. :lol:

I think they are great, i would do a raw edge applique, with a loose zigzag, also make the grass more swishie with stitches, that will incorporate them together. use the cream thread like the background for the pigs, even the darker ones, but use green varigated thread for the grass. Add eyes to your pigs, thats all. be sure the eyes are very small and dark. great start!

I think they are great, i would do a raw edge applique, with a loose zigzag, also make the grass more swishie with stitches, that will incorporate them together. use the cream thread like the background for the pigs, even the darker ones, but use green varigated thread for the grass. Add eyes to your pigs, thats all. be sure the eyes are very small and dark. great start!

I had to chime in on the tails. If you are willing to make this a bit "3-d" what about crocheting a single crochet strip out of cotton bed weight thread, so that it curls up - then attaching that to the place on the pig that the tail attaches. It might be cute?

Ditto. And you're way too critical of yourself.

I do not care for the satin stitch. Your first photos are, IMO, way cuter. Just add the tail. :)

Are you using a stabilizer when doing the satin stitch? How about couching a tail down? I think the piggies are cute with or without the satin stitching.

If you still don't like the way the satin stitching looks, you could use a pigma pen to draw the details. Or even some crayons to add a little light shading for definition.

No diecut, just tracing and cutting.

They are cute

Well, the poor guy needs nostrils! And then do a blanket stitch all the way around and the satin stitch will look 100% better. It just looks wierd because it is "floating" right now.

http://woodstocktradeco.com/mm5/grap...FFlyingPig.jpg

Or maybe put some big wings on it. You have me thinking now.

I couldn't see a pig in the first picture at all and am happy someone else didn't either. The second pic is better! Both need backstitched curly tails and feature enhancement of some kind. I had the same trouble with some bears I tried to make. Keep at it and it will only get better. Good luck.

I think it's adorable. Keep doing what your doing. They are AWSOME***********

Like them. They look like pigs just need a curly tail.

you could just do a curly zig-zag satin stitch for the tails.

Your pigs are wonderful. There is no sign of an artistic struggle going on here - they're great. If you like 3 dimensions on a quilt, the tails could be crocheted spirals, other than that, I have no suggestions. They'll be perfect whatever you decide.

I agree, cute, just add a curly tail, & let them be pigs, lol...

the Pigs are just the cute's. you are doing great, don't be so hard on your self. they are lovely. I would hung them in house.

I agree they look like pigs and are really cute. I also like the idea of the embroiderd curly tail. That would be so cute.

I love them. They are sooo cute!!! When I first read your topic title I thought you were talking about PIGS (projects in grocery sacks) LOL I am glad I looked, my hubby grew up on a hog farm and we love little piggies.

Cute blocks. You are doing great