Working with Thick Threads by Hand and Machine combined with Beading

*Compost*
 30" inches by 44" inches
It has been quilted with thick Aurifil 12 weight and 28 weight thread.
 
I wanted to do a quilt with one of my favorite fruits as the main design *The Apple* and show off how beautiful it can be even when it is in it's rotten stages.
After I designed and painted each block, I didn't like the *too white* background around each apple, although it can be ideal for showing off the true colors of the paint. To fix this, I chose a light green 28 weight thread to do the quilting around each apple. It gave it just enough color to tame down the white and, in my opinion, give it more depth.
Then I chose a black 28 weight thread to quilt on top of the black and white dotted fabric and red 28 weight thread for the curved red inserts; it gives enough coverage to allure the viewer.
Let me show you how I did it:
I designed the stencils in my Silhoutte Cameo machine and with painsticks I painted the designs on white muslin fabric.
I loaded my sewing machine with 12 weight Aurifil thread and started sewing/drawing around each shape.
With the same thread I did hand embroidery.


And then some beading.


When I was happy with each apple, I sewed the blocks together. Then I loaded the sewing machine with 28 weight thread this time. Although there are so many quilting designs to chose from, I decided to use the *classic* meandering around each apple and loops on the dotted fabric.
(looks like white thread but it is actually a light green color)
Detail of one block.

As you can see, the thick threads adds extra dimension to your work, calling the viewer in, surprising them with the texture achieved and the unexpected hand embroidery and beading. I hope you will give it a try.


Hand Embroidery and Beading on Stenciled Fabric

I wanted to make a quilt with a simple shape. I chose the apple since it is my favorite winter fruit. My goal was to work with this shape, do some variations to make it interesting, and at the same time end up with a set of cohesive blocks so I can sew them together to make a quilt!

I started designing stencils in my Silhoutte Cameo Machine. I made five different ones. This is the first one in the series.
Colored plain white muslin with paintsticks. Sew strips of fabric around.
With polyester batting underneath, since I'm planning to do trapunto sew around the shapes with Aurifil 12 weight.
It looked like this when I finished.
Then, I used the same thread to add hand embroidery and seed beads for details. Next time I will show you the next block.

Transparent Design

 
"Crimson Bird"
My goal was to paint a transparent design over a busy background.
I started painting a cotton fabric with acrylic paint. I used the small bottles of acrylic paint that you can find in hobby shops. When you use this kind of paint on fabric it can leave a thick layer, making it difficult to sew so you must be careful to put just enough paint.
Took out stencils, in this case stencils I designed and cut and colored with paintsticks. I sandwiched it with batting and a backing fabric. 
Load the sewing machine with Aurifil 12 weight and sew around the bird and plant. I could have left the piece like this but you know how much I like to combine different kinds of threads in the same piece. The texture that is achieved with the combination of different thicknesses of threads makes the piece sing.

I wanted to choose a thread that gives texture but not distraction since the background is colorful enough so I used Invisaline thread on the top and Sew Fine thread in the bobbin. I used an easy stitch design and sewed the whole background slowly. For the finishing touches, I added some beading for the center of the flowers and a french knot for the bird's eye.
Detail 


Collagraph with Make your Own Stencil

This is another quilt that I have made featuring my collagraph prints. This time I made two plates, one for the focal point in the center of the block and the other for the strips of fabric to be sewn around.
After the prints had been made, I realized there was an "empty" space on one corner of the center block. I was planning on doing a computer transfer with messages of love but then I decided to put a print with the help of a stencil.
It's so liberating to make your own! You can make one that complements your work. It could be the final touch that completes your composition.
So, I put my "Silhoutte Cameo" machine to work. Loaded it with Dura-lar .005 matte film,
 decided on the design and size, and let the machine cut away!
Did some beading in the heart. 
Sew with thin thread over the collagraphs, to keep the delicate characteristic of these kind of prints and #12 cotton thread on the borders. 
Love how the stencil added pizzaz to the composition, making the quilt sing!