Water Quilt Mini Tutorial

This quilt is created in layers, and you'll need some fine netting, a touch of sparkle netting, Angelina Fibers (fusible type), white cheesecloth (washed), water soluble stabilizer, free-motion foot for your machine, an embroidery hoop that you can get under the foot of your sewing machine (or take the foot off to put it in place, then replace the foot) and a blend of sparkly beads in addition to your usual quilting supplies. 

Wash and dry your cheesecloth (don't unfold it before washing - you will need about a yard or more to play with, as it will shrink up).  Fuse long, thin sheets of Angelina Fibers between layers of parchment (so it doesn't stick to your iron). Create a panel of fabric (this will be your background) with free-hand cutting and piecing with curves, to simulate waves on the ocean).

Place the outer part of the embroidery hoop on your tabletop.  Layer strips of washed cheesecloth between soluble stabilizer, and then push the inner hoop down inside and tighten hoop.  Free-motion quilt / embroider overlapping circles all over the cheesecloth, making it heavier towards one of the long sides (this will be the lower / loose edge).  Remove the stabilizer by soaking / rinsing to removing all of it (follow maufacturer's instructions for the brand you have) and then let dry.

 Layer your backing face down, then batting and finally the main quilt top, which has been freehand cut and pieced to make your background.  On top of that base layer, you will add torn pieces of the Angelina Fiber sheets and freehand cut pieces of cheesecloth and sparkle netting.  Once you have laid it out as you like, cover with a layer of dark colored netting that will hold everything in place and pin.   Quilt your quilt and then either square up or mark a cutting line.  Mark another line 1/4" inside this, with a removable marking pen / pencil, to be a guide - DO NOT add beads beyond this line!

Pin the embroidered cheesecloth in place where you'd like the waves to be, and then quilt it in place with a tiny stipple along the upper edge.  Hand bead the waves, adding more beads toward the lower edges, and use the beading thread to gather up  / shape the waves if desired.  Square up your quilt to prepare for binding.

Bind the quilt using a facing, instead of traditional binding. If you have any waves that will be extending past the edges of the quilt, fold and pin them out of the way before sewing the binding on.  Sew slowly, and hand crank the machine past any beads that are close to the stitching line, so that you will be able to stop and move the quilt, instead of breaking beads or needle.  Fold to the back and hand-sew in  place.  Add a hanging sleeve.