First of all, you made a really cute quilt for your Mom and I don't see any boo boo !! I would try an find a thread that will match the batik as close as possible. Make your quilt sandwich and quilt just inside the edge of the fabric. Take the stitching slow so you can guide your needle to hit the mark perfectly.

The background you might want to do something that looks like waves in the ocean using matching thread for the background. You want your turtles to be the star of this quilt. Your Mom is going to love it even if it is a bit late. Don't worry.

Thanks for the compliments! I love the idea of waves for the background. I know it's little, but I'll still be sending it out for quilting. The boo boo is EVER so annoying to me, but when I pointed it out to one of the "kids" (25 years old. They don't like to be addressed as kids anymore. Lol) she said she thought the turtle was turning. Lol. Ok, I'll take it.

It is in fact the Herd of Turtles from PRQC. The instructions included options for needle turned applique as well as fused and machine applique. I have only done the fused then stitched applique so I went with it. I can see where the needle turned would potentially be a better option. I definitely want to make more of these so may take a class on the needle turned.

I randomly had a spool of polyester clear thread so practiced some stitching with it... I have heard horror stories about it so was pretty scared to use it. It was flawless! Just stitched evenly and smoothly right along! I am SO relieved!! I don't know why I had it but Ill use it. Its a Coats brand too which I NEVER buy anymore since getting my Babylock.

Knock on wood! Hopefully I'll get started on it this weekend.

Awesome thanks!! I didn't even think of MR!!

I'm assuming that this piece is about 36x 18 or less?
You could cover the whole thing with a fine netting Tulle, etc. Then using the colour of your choice stitch AKA sid, around each piece. I would then microquilt the remainder, either meander or waves
MaryKatherine

I think an echo quilt pattern around the turtles in the white areas would look great-like the water rippling around each one. Very cute quilt!!

I hope you will post a pic when you are done.......love your turtles!

No two turtles are alike in nature. Why should they be identical in our applique? I do applique--machine and hand--and I think your quilt looks good. Maybe this is your quilt's way of saying what it wants. I am a firm believer in listening to your quilts. When I go with the flow things all work out well. If I try to fight the quilt and do it my way NOTHING goes right. Listen and learn from your quilt. (PS No, I don't hear voices.) :)

I would suggest needle-turn applique also. Your stitches won't be obvious if you turn under and use a tiny stitch. Beautiful turtles, by the way.

Very cute. I love turtles. Not all turtles are the same in life.

I would secure it before I had it quilted. I'm not seeing the boo boo. Unless you're talking about the other turtle head missing.