Quiltingboard Forums - Gail's Koi Pond

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My friend Gail made this top. Not only is it drop dead gorgeous, it is very unique. She made the background "fabric" out of silk fibers and a special glue, then draining and drying it on fine screen. Like making paper. So it was very stiff and left needle holes so I only had one shot. No ripping out quilting on this and I couldn't mark it either. :shock:😱I
I watched this quilt progress from conception to making the fabric paper to watching it come together. With much trepidation because she already told me I was her longarmer for it. I wasn't sure I wanted to due to the restrictions of no marking and I couldn't screw up!
She gave me several practice pieces which I insisted on given the nature of the fabric paper. The applique koi are prepared (turned) applique then machine stitched to the background. They are done in silks, cottons and some of that silk paper fabric. The algae is tulle that she machine stitched to the background and then trimmed it. While quilting this I had to hold it out of the way with one hand while I quilted close to it with the other. I tried masking tape but it wouldn't stick and I wasn't about to try anything stickier because it would pull fibers from the silk fabric paper.
I sketched the basic idea on a photo, auditioned with clear plastic layover and away I went.

Techy stuff: Quilted with Rheingold 40 wt poly thread on top, magnaglide prewound 60 wt in the bobbin and QD request cotton batting. All free hand done on a 26" Innova standup longarm with L/S.

First time trying to post pics since new format. Hope this works!

Super awesome from both of you! Otherwise, I don't have sufficient words to say :)

Wow! That is amazing. I love the back shot that shows the quilting, and the idea for the algae is awesome! Beautiful job on the quilting and the design/piecing.

It is gorgeous! It may have been nerve racking but you conquered it !

Breathtakingly (is that a word?) beautiful!

Wow!!!! Everything about that piece is so interesting and beautiful. Thank you for sharing the story and the wonderful pictures.

Magnificent and your quilting really makes it a true work of art, amazing!

Wow, I love the quilting you used. It totally makes the quilt.

that is wonderful! As usual, your quilting is perfect--I'm not sure I would have been brave enough to attempt quilting on that background. you did a great job--did the background fabric paper have any fraying as you stitched? Also, I'm not familiar with Rheingold thread--why did you choose it? Thanks!

That is an amazingly gorgeous quilt! and your quilting perfectly enhanced it.

Amazing quilt and amazing quilting! It's gorgeous!

Takes my breath away..the back is as beautiful as the front..Outstanding work by each of you!

Wow! That’s fantastic, Tallchick. you did a great job with the quilting for this beautiful piece. The back shows how beautifully your quilting supports and enhances the artistry of the top.

Rob

great quilt and quilting

Talk about an "art quilt"! That is gorgeous in the photos - I can only imagine what it must be like to see it up close and personal. Thanks for including the technical details (inquiring minds want to know!) I also take heart in the fact that even with your amazing skills as a longarmer, you occasionally feel the need to do some stitch removal. That's got to be a prizewinner somewhere!

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltingshorttimer (Post 8363684)

Thanks so much quiltingshorttimer. The silk background fabric reminded me mostly of fabric treated with a heavyweight fusible. It was stiff like that and once the needle punched a hole it stayed. But it also did not like to get wet! It kind of blistered and bubbled on the test piece. After it dried that blistering went flat again but I felt wetting it would definitely compromise the integrity of it. I knew I couldn't use a super fine thread as it wouldn't fill up the needle hole like a 40 wt would. But the lion's share of my quilting thread stash is 40 wt poly, like glide. There was no fraying because this stuff wasn't woven. The silk fibers Gail used were like roving and were already dyed, she got a variety of golds and earth tones. Gail would peel off some of the roving fibers and lay them down with the glue stuff. I didn't see the whole process she just gave me a quick "how I did it" explanation when she started.

I had never heard of Rheingold thread either. My good quilting buddy uses mostly specialty threads and Invisifil so she sold me her stash of Glide. She included a cone of this because it was such a rich, lustrous gold color and she knew my love of Asian fabrics and thought I could use it as she never would. The color was perfect for this so that is why I used it. If I didn't have it, I probably would have used Glide in a gold color.

Absolutely gorgeous! You both did fabulous jobs.

Absolutely beautiful quilt and quilting. She did a great job.

LMG! That is gorgeous...a real piece of art. You are far braver than I will ever be!

Awesome and the quilting is spot on!!

Whoah!! This is absolutely amazing...both in design and finish quilting! Perfect thread for it too...yum! I adore Koi ponds and this gives me the very realistic feeling of one. Congratulations to the fabulous success you two!

You are one brave woman and a very talented one too. Just awesome quilt and quilting; just beautiful.

Gorgeous, spectacular and inspiring.

Amazingly beautiful. Very talented lady

This is one of the more stunning and technical quilts I have ever seen! This is to die for beautiful! Your quilting brings out ever part of this silk creation. I can see why it was such a challenge to LA. Very well done!

I am at a loss for words! Such beauty.

Wow beautiful work from both of you! Where is the quilt destined to go now?

Wowsy, that is amazing. The machine quilting is just perfect as well!

Great stuff, Feline! Thanks for all the details ... and the back shot.

Very Nice. Great job!

Very unique quilt, beautiful!
And your quilting is exquisite!

thanks, Jane for the further details. Have to say that more description of the background made me even more convinced that I would have passed! Wow! I'll have to check out Rheingold thread. I'm been using Marathon (#50) gold and silver for my "metallics" but sometimes need a darker gold.