Chapter 5: Quilting, Padding and Stuffing -- Shaped Quilting

 Below are a series of shaped quilting samples, using a variety of fabrics (top and bottom), padding materials and stitches to hold the padding in place.

5:10
Calico, scrim, docks from my field and seed stitching.

Above is my favourite of these four samples.  I like the translucency of the scrim and the way its tone is deepened by the stitching.  Although the stitching is neutral I can see how further interest could be developed by using colours toning with the dock stalks, especially if the thread is space-dyed.

5:11
Calico, muslin, long slices of compostable 

                                                            packaging and blanket stitch.

Possibly the least successful of the four samples, although the blanket stitching does imitate the way grass and weeds grow around any rock, stone or other random item left in the field.

5:12
Calico, viscose, short slices of compostable
packaging and running stitch..

In this sample the background running stitch circles echo the circles of packaging and imitate the clusters of mushrooms which pop up after rainy weather.

5:13

                                                        Wool, velvet, wire and stem stitch.

The garden wire creates some interesting undulations in the surface and the pile within the stitched shapes has taken on a different tone.  I've also used three different threads resulting in other small differences eg how the light is caught and whether the thread and velvet merge together.