I like to do what works for me and that could be entirely different from what works for you. In order to get the effect I want I might have to combine techniques. For example, yesterday I showed you how I combined applique, inking and beading to make a bee!
Sometimes I add a little embroidery! Here are some bees that
combines applique, ink and embroidery.
And I’ve also combined ink and watercolour paints with
textile medium to make these bugs on a quilt that I call “Bed Bugs”.
You can combine other techniques such as hand and machine
quilting. Why not? I have a hexagon and diamonds quilt that I will show you one
of these days. I hand quilted inside each hexagon and diamond.
When I got to the border I wanted feathers and I was not
going to hand quilt them. The main reason is that I really don’t like marking
quilts and the few times I’ve tried to mark feathers on a border it was more
frustration that fun. Secondly I’m a little on the lazy side and I just wanted
the quilt done! I had read enough books and was confident enough with my
machine quilting skills that I was sure I could machine quilt feathers and the
only marking I would need is the spine. And that’s exactly what I did!
I am pleased with the result. I even popped a little bit of
machine quilting in the half hexagons. Don’t let anyone tell you can’t combine
techniques or methods OR colours. As far as I know there is no prison for
wayward quilters so go for it! Do what works for you, makes you happy and gets you excited!
If it just doesn't work, it will be your little secret!
I’ve added a few more bugs to the tote bag including a
couple of spiders. I used my Pigma pen to draw on the spider webs and I had a
small scrap of fabric with circles. I thought it would make a nice spider body
so I appliqued them down.
Then I embroidered the head and used my Pigma pen to draw on
the legs. It isn’t realistic but it works and I like them a lot!
Post Script: I couldn't get out to the garden so the garden came to me!
