Need advice finishing quilt
 

I have made a few quilts but never anything but squares. I now see I should have watched a few videos before attempting triangles. The problem now is I want to hand quilt it but the colors are too different. I was planning on using off white quilting thread and stitching in the ditch. However, that was before I decided to put bright blue water next to brown boats. I have read that invisible thread should not be used for hand quilting. Any advice on how I should quilt this? BTW machine quilting is not an option.
I am kind of embarrased about the close up, but really need advice on how to quilt it.

If you are going to stitch in the ditch, I don't think it will matter much which color you use.

I think your quilt top is delightful! Off white quilting should be fine. Keep up the good work.

I agree with Katier825. But you could use an off white to make sure it fades into the fabric.

If you're hand quilting, don't SID. You can stitch with blue thread on the blue water and with brown thread on the brown boat. It will be lovely. If you're worried about your stitches not being perfectly uniform - don't! They will improve with practice. (I say that despite the fact that I'm not a hand quilter, but I sure admire those who are.) And I can't find anything to be embarrassed about in your close-up picture. You've done a wonderful job!

what dunster said! since you are hand quilting, just stitch with colors that go in those areas and don't try to hide the thread. it won't work. your quilt is lovely!! have fun.

. so-- it is okay to use different colors? I thought about quilting waves on blue and some sort of brown lines on the boats-not sure what else, but thought the back may not look right using different colors

I actually like how the back looks when different colors have been used. Just looks good to me.

Dina

Your quilt is really great! I think off white would be fine.

Wow, that is truly beautiful! Nothing to be ashamed of in that piecework! As for the quilting, I'd say lighter or darker brown thread (variegated?) lines as if to show "planks". Blue, green or white on the water for wave shapes and white in the sky in cloud shapes. You are doing all the work, don't be afraid to show off the design a little! And don't forget to put the story on your label for the back, it's a story that will be cherished through generations!

Just went back and looked at your work. Any design you add to it will be perfect! And I love that you want to hand quilt. Maybe I'll try that in my next life!

Make a small sample using the same backing you plan on using for the quilt. The "front" doesn't have to be a pieced block - just sketch out a boat and the water - it doesn't even have to be the same size. Then hand quilt it with the colors you want in the design you want. Flip it over and see how it looks on the back.

If you are using a busy backing you may not even see the quilting stitches.
If you use a solid, light color, or large print backing you probably will see the stitches.

I'm just finishing up my first handquilted quilt. Used three different colors of thread. No, my stitches aren't perfect or totally uniform. But you know what?.... I'm learning and it was fun.

Your quilt is beautiful. If it were mine, I sure wouldn't do stitch-in-the-ditch.
Be sure to post a picture when you're done.

I think different colored threads would look fine, front and back. Or... you might use white or light blue thread to create some waves in the blue water, and the same thread to create some architectural lines across the ship, and some clouds in the sky...

Your quilt is lovely. I agree with the different colours opportunities as you're hand quilting. Have fun.
Annie

It looks fine to me - I hate doing points! We're always much more critical of our own work. If it were someone else's you would be full of praise (as we all are, lol). Throw any 'rules' out the window. I think coloured, but it's your quilt and you'll know when you see it. DogHouseMom gave good advice.

What about a silk thread in a light or dark grey? I love the silk for hand and sometimes machine sewing it tends to blend in better than cotton. Also don't forget only 18 inches of thread or you will end up knotting ,twisting and just breaking not all at the same time. .what are you ashamed. Of the picture is fantastic a friend who made this boat did e ho quilting around the boat and waves in the blue.

Your piecing is beautiful!! I like your idea of using different color threads, too. Instead of looking at an off-white, look at a light gray. While there isn't a big difference in what one strand looks like, there really is a difference when it gets in the fabric. Gutterman has a light gray that is nice.

Oh my goodness! I wasn't even going to read this post since I don't really feel like I can give advice, but I'm so glad I did! I love, love, love that quilt! It's precious and I want to copy your idea. I'm sure my version won't look as nice, but it's just cute!

I think off white would work well. You could even use it to make "waves" in the blue water.

Thank you everyone! Now I have several ideas to try. I am going to step away from my norm and try a few new ideas. Of course, I will make up a small practice block (great idea-thank you), and see how it goes. I am going to play with a few things and see what I like. This is for my Grand son (who is still a bun in the oven). I know it may not be done when he is born, but hopefully before he graduates :0)

As a 95% handquilter I would use different colored thread for each color in the design or varigated thread. I would also never stitch in the Ditch when handquilting. Your quilt top is delightful. You did a great job. I have been quilitng for more than 40 years and my piecing isn't nearly that good. My favorite thing to do is white on white or preprinted "cheaters" cloth so I don't have to worry about my seams and corners etc.

I hand quilt and use many different color threads in a single quilt quite often. Doing it now as a matter of fact. I agree with the others to not do SITD. If you're taking the time to hand quilt, then let those stitches show! You'll have consistent stitches in no time. If you're wanting to do 'waves' in the water - which I think is a great idea, btw - try looking in the scrapbooking section of JoAnns or other craft stores for a wavy edge ruler. Makes that process easier and more consistent (if that's what you're looking for). Or find shapes or whatever from coloring books, etc. and just make yourself a cardboard template of the outline for your quilting design.

I am making waves in water, have grain lines for boat and a rope border. Any suggestions for the sail and sky
area?

First of all, you did a great job!! I admire the fact that you want to hand quilt it. I would put details, like waves and clouds in the corresponding colors.

How about slightly curved line(s) in the sails? Looks like the wind is taken them. Maybe wavy kind of clouds in the sky.
Have fun, it looks beautiful!

Great job and I go with the off white.

You did a great job on your first try at Triangles. A very cute quilt.

If you are going to stitch in the ditch it won't matter about the contrast in colors. If you don't like a white or neutral thread try a little stitching in a medium grey. Gray has a great effect of just disappearing on most colors.

Show the completed project, please!
peace

EDIT: as for quilting ideas if you have access to any clip art you can search for specific things like wind or rope or anything you want to put thread to, and get some cool ideas that you can transfer into your design

I did that very thing for the spider I quilted on a spiderweb quilt. I get loots of ideas from simple clip art.

Very pretty!

I would use different colors to match the fabrics. Stitch 1/4" from seam in triangles and as you please elsewhere.