I’ve been working on quilting the Koi Pond wall hanging, and the plan got more complex as I went along. When we left off, I had loaded the piece on the longarm and ruled out using a pantograph. The backing is a purple background morning glory print with the same colors as the top. I put Dream Green batting between the layers. I’m using this batting as much as I can, we have to support the market for our recycled plastics. Now, I am going to do a custom quilting job.
After stitching down the edge, I did stitch-in-the-ditch around the borders. The outer border got stitch-in-the-ditch as well. I used Glide green poly thread in the top, and a sage green Bottom Line in the bobbin.
I do this with a ruler to keep the lines as straight as I can.
I knew that I wanted to change colors for the inner borders, so I moved to the center next. I used the lines in the print to follow for a watery look with free motion quilting.
This went pretty quickly, it isn’t very dense.
I changed thread colors on the top to a golden taupe, and did a ribbon candy border in the off white.
Next was to figure out what to put in the pebble border. It would be logical to do a pebble quilting, but this would be too dense for the rest of the quilt. Plus, I would go crazy doing that many tiny circles. Ultimately, I decided on a half feather in the touch and go style.
It is a little hard to see. What I have done is a feather where the point falls in the middle of the one before it, and there is no backtracking.
Next, the gold will be used on the fish. In order to give the fish the most texture, I decided to quilt every scale, with some lines in the fins and tails.
The scales are essentially a Baptist fan design, so I should be able to quilt across the scales on a row by row basis. This worked for most of the scales, with just a few backtracks here and there. I had a hard time staying on the lines at first.
But this got easier once I had a rhythm going.
The metallic gold in the fabric and the shine of the Glide thread makes these fish reflect the light and appear to move.
So, quilting finished, here is where it stands now.
I found an appropriate green for the binding in my stash as there wasn’t enough of any of the darker green fabrics in the piece to use. I want the final border to act as a frame, or I would piece the binding from the leftover strips. After I get the binding on, the embellishment will begin. I have an ambitious plan, mostly handwork, and I need to find the perfect ecru color to do what I have in mind. It should be fun, and I’ll show you more as it goes.
From My Carolina Home 
Your Koi Pond is looking very arty. Is there going to be some beading as well as maybe embroidery? You are keeping this one close to the chest. It’s going to be lovely when you finish. Looking forward to the final reveal.
Mary :))
Beautiful quilting and I’d love to see how you did the quilting on the row of pebbles. Is that two passes, one with feathers one with scallops that bump the tops? Brilliant way to avoid back tracking! Have you thought about facing the edges?
Thank you for all your ideas!
Daryl
No, it is one pass, around the curve to touch the feather before, then swing wide to make the next feather. They are called touch-and-go feathers.
I don’t care for doing facings, I like a traditional binding.
your Koi pond is sew nice, it is also inspiring.
The quilting is stunning. The scales on the koi must be beautiful with the gold thread sparkling. Can’t wait to see your embellishment ideas.
Nicely done!!
Looks great, Carole! I hope you can find just what you need for the finishing details.
Beautiful quilting choices. I love it as is, but know that when you finish embellishing it, it will be stunning.
You have turned a simple, but beautiful, piece of fabric into a work of art. Just wonderful workmanship.
Beautiful, Carole!
the quilting looks really nice like that following the patterns on the fish
Great job on the quilting! You really did a fine custom job on that piece. I love the following the fabric for the quilting, it really enhances the beauty of the fabrics.
The koi are gorgeous! I was wondering about the quilting. How diies the dream green compare with other batting?
Dream Green is fabulous to quilt with. It has a low loft like cotton, quilts easily, is softer than you can imagine, and doesn’t crease. It also doesn’t shrink when washed, so quilts maintain their shape without much crinkling. Try it!!
Carole,
The fish are the perfect subject for custom quilting and embellishment! Especially like the scales and the subdivision of the water.
Embellishment will bring this piece to the next level. Have fun with it!
Jo Anne
absolutely stunning!!!!
Beautiful, unique piece!
This turned out beautifully! I think it’s my favorite thing you’ve ever done. Congratulations on the finish on this one and I hope you’re entering it at the fair this year.
Stunning – all the line work! You give us courage to try these techniques! Thanks!!!!!
Beautiful! The fish are magnificent.
I’m eager to see what you do next.
Your quilting is beautiful! It’s finishing off this mini quilt just perfectly. I haven’t tried Dream Green batting, but now I’m thinking I should!
Wow, dont those fish look great!
The pebbles are especially interesting on that first border. I really like how that flows. This is truly lovely.
Your quilting is perfect for this quilt!
You are amazingly talented!! Love your posts!
I am loving the gold quilting on the fish. Gorgeous!
Ga