Manatee Quilt

[Retro_Rose]

Meet Hugh,



So named by my swap partner RhymeswOrange who received him this week!

I made him for the art quilt swap. This was her list of themes:

1. surrealist artists
2. skulls
3. "V-J Day in Times Square" photograph
4. cardinals
5. manatees

Manatees?! How irresistibly awesome!!! So I went to the drawing board. I wanted to do something cartoon-y. Something that really popped. I wanted to have elements of texture. I wanted it to have a subtle sparkle like in water.


I used applique for the manatee body. it was done in a subtle patterned fabric. RhymeswOrange said she likes fabric that registers as a solid colour to the eye. I used a blue bubble fabric for the background, and for the waves I used a stiff lightweight sparkly fabric that holds shape well when ironed for the waves. I twisted it and sewed it into odd shapes to give it movement. I hand sewed on little seed beads to give it that sunny gleam! The quilting was done with invisible thread in the shape of waves.



I also learned how to make my own bias tape for this project. I wanted it to match. To hang it there are spaces for a rod to go across the back. There are two grommets in the rope to hang it so that it can go on hooks. Makes it hang square.



So there you have Hugh! The lovable bubble blower from the deep sea!





Edit:  I've just taken a moment to put my eyeballs back in my head! Thanks so much jungrrl for featuring me! Holy wow-my-gosh!!!

[RhymeswOrange]

I LOVE Hugh!  He is hanging there making me happy right now.  Thank you again Retro_Rose!

[dustbunnyodoom]

Its projects like yours that make me want to try quilting. I love the wave texture that you created. Great job, you have a very lucky swap partner

[kaz814]

He is so cute!  I love the way you made the waves, too.  Fabulous!

[ohiodiygirl]

it is so adorable! I love how well the fabrics compliment the design!

[Retro_Rose]

Its projects like yours that make me want to try quilting. I love the wave texture that you created. Great job, you have a very lucky swap partner

You should totally try it! It's a lot of fun! Join the next art quilt swap, that's how I learned.

This is my second art quilt. After my first one I made for a swap, I made a few baby blankets that were quilted. Those are fun and easy too!

[charminggoats]

Awww, he's adorable! Great work!

[elociNNicole]

LOVE this!  Definitely not enough manatee projects on craftster. 

[digital misfit]

This is so adorable! I ♥ manatees!

[MareMare]

Hugh really does rock!