Any quilters or appliques?

[Collidascope]

I wondered if anyone could advise me on how to make this wall quilt a bit more interesting. I'm really wishing I'd done wavy stripes and deeper blues for the sea instead of the pale rectangular patches, but can't really change that at this point. It just looks lifeless and dull. Is there anything I can do to liven it up a bit? (Obviously will add a border etc. to it.)
And if anyone does reply, please feel free to post your own work. I love seeing other people's stuff.

Hi @Collidascope! That's a lovely quilt. I was just wondering on the sewing thread about starting one for quilting.

I haven't done picture quilts, so can't really offer any advice unless you added an appliqué seagull in the sky or some seaweed using interesting yarn attached with couch stitch.

Hello @Collidascope

That's lovely. I agree something in the sky maybe, but also think the border and finish really help.

I am new to quilting and very much a bodger. Here is my second one. Just starting third one now - with half square triangles and a rotary cutter!

I think you need to work over the background with some free machine stitches. That would knock back some of the brighter colours and would pull the sea together, separate it from the foreground.

I agree with Curious, maybe using a slightly darker thread with wavy lines of stitching to show the sea might work.

It doesn't look lifeless and dull from your photo! Don't be so hard on yourself. And in the hope that you'll carry on with it can we see the finished product, pretty please?

Tinuviel thank you. I do think the seaweed is a very good idea. And yes, I'm with you, I'd love a quilting thread.

MsMartini oh that's gorgeous. I wouldn't have thought of putting blues and beiges together but it looks beautiful.
Yes, hopefully the border will make mine look a bit more finished.

CuriousaboutSamphire thanks. I think you're right. Will hopefully make it more like sea than the geometric mess it looks right now 😁

Orgasmagorical thank you, yes, wavy lines will hopefully help. And as long as my attempts at improvement don't result in it looking much worse, I will post a photo when it's done 🤞

@Collidascope Thank you! I actually bought some Liberty pre-cut squares in bundles from Etsy and then took out a few pinky ones which I didn't like.

Ooo yes, I would like a quilting thread!
OP, it looks great! I think it will look loads better when it's got a border on anyway. Love the puffin!

MsMartini It's really nice. Even more impressive that it's only your second one.

Thanks, Whispers. And thanks to everyone for the advice. Here's the finished version.

Ooooh @Collidascope that looks so much more dramatic now! The dark background really helps. What are you going to make next?.

I am pleased with mine, tho close up it is bodged - I've never been a sewer but I am loving planning these, then having some mindless sewing, then more planning etc.

I honestly don't think anyone else notices the little botched up parts that you can end up fixating on - as long as you don't point them out!

I'm not sure about what to do next. Might start planning one tonight. I'd love to see more of yours if you're happy to post them

Have you looked at Janet Clare's quilt patterns? She's more into fabric designs these days but I think you might like her quilts from a few years back.

the little botched up parts that you can end up fixating on - as long as you don't point them out!

I used to be really bad for that, I wanted to point them out before anyone saw them and judged me but not many people look for notice mistakes and I'm more confident now. Also if you're giving it to somebody and you point out the mistake it's like saying "I'm not happy with this but I'm still giving it to you anyway".

You've done a lovely job with the wee puffin picture, it's charming

It looks really lovely! Will have to dig out a photo of one of mine! I haven't done any picture quilts but I did make a Dr Who baby activity mat for a friend last year! It was my first proper attempt at quilting and the stitching wasn't great as my machine was playing up.

Here it is!

Love the Dr Who mat! Here is kmy first quilt, made from old scarves and stuff, and using card templates (not doing that again).

@MsMartini that's lovely - a great idea to use scarves! I have plans for a Harry Potter baby activity mat for another friend but I'll be doing that as part of a group!

WorriedWishingWell, I hadn't heard of her but just had a look. Yes, I do like them. Some really nice coastal quilt ideas there, thanks.

Orgasmagorical, thank you! Yes, I used to do the same - someone would say something nice about whatever I'd made and I'd immediately rush to give them a very long, neurotic inventory of everything I'd done wrong. Poor person who was probably just trying to give a polite compliment...

Tinuviel, thank you. I went to town with your idea of seaweed on the rocks. And I love the Doctor Who activity mat. Will want photos of that Harry Potter one when it comes into existence.

MsMartini I love that quilt too. I haven't made a triangle quilt before, it looks lovely.

I've been quilting for years but haven't been doing much lately as I've gone over to the dark side which is knitting but I intend to return to it.

All your work is lovely and none of it looks botched at all. Just don't point out those little shortcomings, consider them a learning experience.

I consider this mixture of patchwork and applique as my masterpiece which I did a while back. It's a bit bigger than an A4 sheet of paper and took quite a bit of planning. I doubt I'll ever do anything else as lovely.

@prettyteapotsplease, that's so clever. Great idea to mix applique and quilting.

About my bodging , for me it is actually a badge of pride. I have never sewed before, rarely done anything creative, never designed anything. I was driven to quilting by rage with Dominic Cummings - every stitch was filled with contempt. So imagine my surprise when I enjoyed it and produced something that brings me joy! So I mention it not to do myself down or focus on imperfections; the bodging, finding solutions, learning short cuts, fixing mistakes is a happy part of the process.

I believe it's been said that a mistake can be an opportunity for extra embellishment!

Exactly

That's lovely, prettyteapotsplease. So intricate.

Thank you, but then I do have a lot of experience under my belt and I'm of pensionable age - I think I'd better keep going with handicrafts until I can no longer see as that would be hell wouldn't it?

If anyone is interested, Aldi have fat quarters in at the moment - 5 for £4.99! There was some lovely fabric with bees on and some Winnie the Pooh, among others.

I resisted ... but may decide to go back!