need quilting advice
 

Hi All,
I just finished a collaged rooster but I need advice on how to quilt him. I'll fuse him to the background...probably a textured white or off white small print. Then I need to heavily quilt him because of all the small pieces. I am not good at dropping the machine feed dogs and free motion quilting...so I will just quilt him with the walking foot. I thought about just going around and around the shape with close quilting lines. I was hoping I could use just one color of thread...but I don't think so. I guess I'll need to quilt the black areas with black thread, red areas with a reddish thread, etc.

What do you think? Any ideas or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Great job!
I'm looking forward already to see how you finish your bird off!

You might want to consider variegated threads.
It'll help with the blending of the thread and your different fabrics.
Bonus ... could minimize the number of thread changes.

Another idea might be to cover the whole piece with tulle and then quilt. I've seen that done with landscape collages. He's a beautiful bird!!

I have seen some of the collage quilts quilted in an all over 1/2” grid and it looked great (walking foot used)

These Laura Heine ones https://www.fiberworks-heine.com/sho...e-Patterns.htm

Here is a quote from the FAQs on her site concerning the thread she uses, that might interest you.
“Tips for Quilting a Collage Quilt Using your Machine:
First try heating up the area you are woking on using a hot iron with steam (you cannot overheat Steam a Seam 2). Second, use a nonstick needle; we have nonstick needles in both 90 and 100 in size here in our shop or on our web stie. Thrid, make sure you are using a good long stapled thread such as the Signature 100% cotton thread - again sold in our shop and on our web site.
Using a Long Arm:
Follow the same tips as a machine but you will want to use a MR5 needle.
Last but not least: Laura likes to use the Signature variegated thread using a cross hatch pattern to add more interest to her collage quilts! She also prefers the Quilters Dream Cotton (100% cotton) N3 - thickness. We sell this product in the store, either by the yard or prepackaged sizes, but not on our website. If you cannot find it elsewhere and you would like some please give us a call.”

Got an email from Christa Quilts last week with a wavy grid pattern that can be done with a walking foot. The title was Quilting Wavy Grid with walking foot or free motion (Christa Quilts) I've tried it on scrap muslin and batting in a small patterned grid and really like the way it looks. Maybe take a peek and see what you think.

Thank you!
 

Thank you all for the ideas and compliments. I hadn’t thought of variegated thread. I’ll look in my thread stash to see if I have something that will work. I like the grid quilting all over since it would be relatively easy!

I like variegated threads for quilting.
Doesn't work for everything, but this one would be perfect.
Assuming you can find the right mix!

Another idea for the quilting ... outline your pieces and the body of the rooster. Then do the cross-hatch gridwork only on the background fabric behind the bird. That'll make your applique/collage work really pop and let that bird strut about to show itself off! (and show your work off!!) Well worth it!

If you haven't fused the rooster on to the background, you might consider crosshatching the background with a visible thread to suggest a chicken wire fence then with the rooster fused on, quilt him separately - and I agree with the suggestion to cover with a fine mesh to avoid having to stitch every single piece down...just audition the mesh/tulle to make sure it won't alter the colors in the rooster. Since it's a wall hanging, I think, it probably won't be washed much so it would not be necessary to stitch down every piece that's been fused.

I made a Laura Heine collage pattern and quilted it in vertical lines about 1/2" apart. Everything stayed on, and it looks great. I even folded it into my suitcase to take on a trip to my mom's. Nothing fell off (thank goodness)!

I’ve always used 1/2” grids with a 1/4” thrown into the mix for added character for quilting.

What a handsome rooster! I am a chicken lover and would love to make this guy. Can you please share where you found the pattern?