Toni Whitney Blue Heron wallhanging
 

This is all raw edge fusible applique and done exquisitely. I did trapunto style quilting on the heron by loading the top with wool batting (no backing) and I did all the feather detailing. Those bits that come off the edge of the quilt (the beak and tail feathers) were new for me. It represented some challenges but I think it turned out well. I didn't do any stitching on the beak but did feather details in the tail. I had to pin the body of the quilt back (as well as the batting) and went slow as I had to do it one handed. I had to use my other hand to hold the piece while quilting.

After the heron was all done, I cut away all the extra batting and loaded it up with backing a layer of W&N and another layer of wool. Then quilted all the background.

Techy summary:
Batting as mentioned above, wool, then a layer of wool over W&N
Thread: Invisfil by Wonderfil Threads, in multiple colors
Hours spent: Approximately 8 but at least 2 of those hours were spent ripping out stitches and redoing. I had some areas I had to rip out as my tension got all wonky on me. Looked great on top, no so much underneath. I think I was getting buildup of the adhesive on my needle which caused it to go all cattiwhompus for no other apparent reason. I then had to make sure when I redid it I was hitting the same needle holes because the fusible tends to keep old needle holes visible, especially when there are multiple layers built up.

The whole piece

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Some detail shots
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All the tan feathers are the ones I had to redo. But the whispy feathers in the cranes breast I had done prior to that and the tension was just fine there. Which is why I attributed the tension issue to adhesive buildup on my needle. I wiped it down with rubbing alcohol and that seemed to solve the issue. I had no problems after that.
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And a gratuitous back shot:
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Wow; so very beautiful. Looks real.

Wonderful work

That bird is ready to fly! Beautifully done...don't let it escape.

Such a beauty! A great pattern, and fantastic quilting! (I have this kit too..... inspired to get busy! :)

Wow, that is amazing, I hope you plan to enter it in some contest or quilt show!!!!

All the work on this one certainly paid off. It is gorgeous!

Wow! This is an amazing work of art! Thank you for sharing your technique details too.

I'm in awe of how you bring a one-dimensional piece to life like this - it's just gorgeous!

Christine

Impressive work getting the look of feathers. I love the blue heron…yours and in real life.

Remarkable recreation of the magnificent Blue Heron in cloth. You are a quilting superstar.:thumbup:

You did a superb job! It is just beautiful

Beautiful!

Watson

Your work is fabulous! Love these herons and you really captured the details with your quilting.

This is just stunning!

Oh my gosh, this is fantastic! I did a guild workshop about 5 years ago, maybe more, of this same heron, but couldn't get the grays and blue-grays I wanted. But I need to haul it out of the PUP drawer and take another look at new fabric. You did a terrific job and it is beautiful.

Incredible!!!! It looks so life like.

Your quilting really is fabulous on this wonderful quilt!

Absolutely stunning! Those feathers look so real. Come to think of it, the heron himself looks real. Outstanding work.

That is beautiful. Lots of work but worth it.

You did a terrific job. It was worth the time you spend. Be proud.

Gorgeous!! Beautiful workmanship. The quilting is so nice.

Perfectly beautiful!

This is an amazing work of art. I love it.

It’s fabulous! Wow!

Beautiful. I love the back! Unfortunately, I have also been a victim of adhesive build up. I had to rip out a huge section on a show quilt last summer....I just wanted to spit nails....I was so angry about it. I have now learned my lesson to check in that situation. Sorry you went through that too.

Feline--that is just amazing! How did you even think to do the heron first and how in the world did you manage to hold back the background and quilt at the same time!? and I'm wondering, how is she going to finish the edges so that the beak and tail stand out?

Feline...exquisite in every way. Just exquisite....

wow...first class all the way...

This is a treasure! Beautiful.

That is beautiful. I can’t believe it ‘only’ took 8 hours - it would take me so much longer and the quality would be half as good

Great job!!

"thunk"--that was my jaw hitting the floor. At least we know ripping out stitches was involved too, ha ha!

It is beautiful and the heron looks like it is ready to step off the quilt.

What an amazing piece of art! Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful work of art. Thank you for your description of doing it. I have done a couple of Tony Whitney designs but the finished product lacked the wonderful dimensional look that yours portrays. I admire your work.

Wow, you certainly outdid yourself...it is exquisite and so much detail. Awesome job.

That is so perfectly done! Simply beautiful.

Exquisite quilting on a stunning feature. I, too, am curious about the beak and tail. Will the original maker sew on a border and bring it back to you to finish the quilting?

LOL, I didn't think anyone else would be curious about that so I PM'd Quiltingshortimer. But now that you have asked too.... Here is what I wrote to quiltingshortimer. The pattern calls for fusible interfacing to help stiffen those bits up, then you fuse it to another piece of fabric to back it and cut it out and leave the edges raw, stay stitching around the edge about 1/8". The piece is left loose (not fused) from the background about 1" or so from the edge of the top and is fairly stiff. So when she goes to bind the quilt she will have to fold those two pieces back towards the top and the binding will go behind them and they will be left raw edge.