That is just beautiful. I would use tulle to keep the pieces in place, fine, maybe very light gray or black. The background verticak type of pattern; the dog following the contours. Whatever you do, it will look gorgeous.

Those eyes get me every time ... You've really captured Atlas in every way!
I might even seen some familiar fabrics in there.

I've left you some notes on your other two threads.

Project One done ... and whom next? Your horse, of course!

Watson, this is perfect as it is! What a beautiful dog...!! You captured the soul of him! He looks so alive! I can't give you any advise because your talent is so much above my skill set.

That's gorgeous Watson!

You don't have to use tulle unless you want to. If you do, then I suggest you use a black tulle as the darker the tulle the more it fades into the background and it is less likely to change the apparent colors.

You could also use a very fine (like 100 wt.) thread to stitch around all the pieces to hold them in place. I use Invisifil thread (100 wt. polyester) it's very nice thread and my Sweet Sixteen handles it very well. It comes in a variety of colors, but I think you could get away with just a black, a silver/gray and a red. I think I recall that you said you'd purchased a Tiara? if so, that's pretty much the same machine as my Sweet Sixteen. If you have the horizontal thread spool attachment, then you will need to use that if you get spools of invisifil--- the thread on the spools snags on the ends of the spool if you try to use the vertical thread holders. If you don't have the horizontal spool attachment then get the cones (they come in a mini cone) and those work fine on the machine's vertical thread holders.

Rob

I agree completely.....Jane Q

Collage is not in my particular skill set but for quilting you could consider a wood grain pattern in the background and I agree with some thread painting in the fur. He is a real sweetie. For the fur I would use a 100 wt. then texture would show up well without a lot of thread build up. Like everyone else says do your thing.

It is gorgeous. Could you put it in a frame under glass? I wouldn't think you would have to do anything else to it.

I think thread painting through the batt and backing flattens out the design too much. So I'd put a removable stabilizer under the head, and thread paint before making the sandwich. And I discovered this by the........ method.

I like the 100 wt invisible thread idea. I don't think it's necessary to define the hairs with thread painting. The expression is great on your dog.

Check out the Facebook group called Collage Quilter. I joined this group for inspiration, wanting to do my first collage quilt, still working on it. So many ideas, kind of like this board. If you post your picture and ask the same question you will get lots of info. Or just scroll through. Love your beautiful dog!

Absolutely ga-ga over this quilt, Watson! You got the expression perfect, complete with the catchlight in his eyes. I also love how you nailed the detail of the shadow on his tongue. Bravo. I don't think it needs tulle. I'd have to see it first to judge for sure, but it seems to me it could land on just the wrong places and cover up what it so good.