Portrait quilt - How would you quilt this?
 

I was working off this photo:

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To make this wall quilt:

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Using PhotoShop, I selected the area from the original photo that I wanted to use in the quilt, then printed it very lightly onto my fabric using grayscale, black ink only. The result was very faint. I then used Derwent Inktense pencils and a couple of different paint brushes to achieve the shading results. It's not exactly like the photo image, but I think it turned out satisfactory. This was my brother-in-law of 52 years, my oldest sisters husband, who passed away a few weeks ago.

My question is simply this: How would you quilt this? I was thinking to do a little bit of quilting on the tree areas, but as I began to do so I realized I'd have to be tying off the threads after nearly every tree/shrub! Now I'm thinking I might spend some evenings doing it by hand, but have never tried hand quilting before so it would be something new for me. I guess I'm up to the challenge. lol

I think I'd probably do something very simple, such as SID around the inner and outer borders, and maybe small stippling in the sky area?

Your thoughts on this would be appreciated!
Thanks for looking

Helen

I am just a beginner, but that is really neat. I love it. In the quilt his eyes looks a little on the redish brown side. All in all fabulous. Go for it.

I can't offer quilting help, but you did a wonderful job! I'm sure it will be greatly appreciated!

You have done such a great job so far. Can't wait till you have it completed.

On your background what about using a variegated thread that would more or less blend in especially in the shrubbery. As far as your brother-in-law's portrait you would need to study it and also how others have done it.

What ever you do it will look fantastic.

It is pretty awesome. I have seen people follow the contours of the face. I have also seen micro stippling on faces so that it is an even texture throughout. Also I have seen small scribbles to get the texture. You pretty well cover the whole face with thread.

I hope you will post it when it is finished. What a treasure you are making.

Wonderful job. Can't help with the quilting.

Your quilt looks great so far. I am not much help on the quilting but I would suggest that you start out minimally (SID) and then see what it "needs". I am sure that you will "see" it as you go.

Wow, that is amazing! You did a wonderful job.

You've done a fantastic job! Definitely hand stitching would be the best. You could highlight edging in shirt as well. Let us see how you did it when done!

IMHO
I think you would have to thread paint the lines on his face
excellent job

Beautiful job

Not sure how to quilt but it is awesome!

fantastic work

No idea as to how to quilt it. I think it looks like the picture. Great job.

Awesome quilt!

Very beautiful picture!

Wow that is a great likeness and such a great tribute! I can not help with the quilting!

Can't give any advise regarding quilting this, but you did a beautiful job and your sister will be very happy with this. Georgette

Looks great!

I think I'd add some more detail with paint pens on the face and hair.
The eyes are coming off as a little on the red side (could be the lighting in the photo, but
still - better to be safe than sorry). You might be able to just add a little green wash over them
to tone down the redness.

I love using Fabricmate pens, because you don't have to heat-set them!

You are doing a great job so far!

Well, it's finished and I'm getting ready to ship it so thought I'd better post it! I think I'll wash my batting before using it in the future...he looks a bit "wrinkly"! lol
I removed the "invisible" thread...didn't like how the light reflected off it, and replaced it with beige thread on the face. I also did some detail work in the trees/shrubs background to make the greenery stand out just a bit. I marked the borders from the corners inward after measuring to make sure everything would turn out centered, then used a stencil I made to mark each "rope" curved section and just winged it on the corners and center markings. I did a very small stipple in the sky area to make it recede more. All in all, I'm happy with how it turned out and know my sister will treasure it always. A labor of love, for sure!

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That is truly amazing!