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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Pet Portraits in Thread

Any time we look out our window, day or night, rain or shine, we see someone walking their dog.  Living in the suburbs, we never noticed this many dogs.  Probably because they remained in fenced yards, hidden from view.  We heard them, but rarely saw them.  Living in the Pearl, we see them, but seldom hear them.  There are few areas where dogs are not allowed.  We see them in coffee shops, grocery stores and leashed to tables at outdoor seating areas.  They are not allowed in Tanner Springs Park, but just two blocks away is The Fields park, built with dogs in mind.  We see many of them often enough that they feel like old friends. 


Coffee bud, Shasta
My first attempt at a thread sketched pet portrait was when our friends left their Westies with us for an afternoon "play date".  We enjoyed having them.  I took pictures like a doting aunt.  While reviewing my photos for thread sketch possibilities, I found a particularly cute photo of the two.  It took several attempts, but finally, I completed a sketch that I felt was good enough to send as a greeting card.

That was more than six months ago, and since then, I have completed about a dozen pet portrait thread sketches.   I have tried several techniques and sometimes a sketch takes several trials.  With a little practice, I believe anyone with a sewing machine (or using hand embroidery) can create their own thread sketch pet portraits.  Here are a few examples and explanation of how I created them.  I hope you will be inspired to try your own sketch.


NEW!
You can see all my projects on my 


Selecting Subject and Photo

Some animals are more difficult to stitch than others.  White dogs, for instance, are more difficult to capture in thread.  It is tricky to add texture and shadows without making the animal look brown or gray instead of white. 


This is my first pet portrait.  Zach and Izzy are pure white.  The gray shadows create doubt as to the color.  There is a lot more thread in this earlier sketch than used in later sketches.  I used a dark background thinking the white thread would show better.  

Daisy is white, gray and black.  Several shades of gray were used to detail her gray fur and the shadowed white fur.  There are fewer stitches in this more recent thread sketch.  

Preparing the Photo

I usually enhance the photo by cropping and lightening the photo for printing and tracing. Occasionally, I use Photoshop Elements to turn the photo into a line drawing.  Although I refer to the original photo while stitching, a line drawing reduces the detail making it easier to transfer the image to the stabilizer.   It can also help provide a better perspective on what will be stitched.   This is not necessary, but you can try it if you have trouble visualizing how to stitch the subject.  For example, this original photo of Shredder and Sadie is beautiful, but the shadows and Shredder's white fur made it difficult to see how I would stitch it out.
This line drawing provides clear lines that can be followed with the stitching.  For Shredder, I followed the curls of his fur.  Sadie's spots are much easier to see and stitch.  




G has very short hair, so I used a more abstract stitch pattern that still defines the curl of her ears and gives depth to her face and eyes.  For me, the style is dictated by the photo and subject.







Transferring Photo to Stabilizer

If you have artistic drawing ability, you can probably skip this step.  I want the portraits to resemble the pets as much as possible, so I trace the photo onto stabilizer.  I use Sulky's Solvy Water Soluable Stabilizer and a Sharpie Ultra Fine Point permanent marker to trace a few lines.  I just invested in a Dbmier light box which makes it much easier.    

When deciding how much detail to trace, try to think about pictures in a coloring book. Just basic lines that will serve as a guide while you stitch. There are several reasons to limit how much detail you transfer to the stabilizer.  The permanent marker dries quickly and, if used sparingly, will dissolve with the stabilizer.  Too much ink and it can leave black residue on your fabric.  The other reason to limit detail is that too many lines can be confusing as you stitch.   


Nettie

This stabilizer drawing was discarded because of too much detail.  I traced a second piece of stabilizer focusing on the outline, eyes, nose and mouth.  Had I gone ahead with this stabilizer, it may have left ink residue on the fabric.   


Stitching

I like stitching on heavy weave fabrics in light colors.  Whatever fabric you choose, it needs to be stabilized to support the stitching without puckering.  I use Sulky Sticky+ Self-Adhesive, Tear-Away.  It works for the lighter stitching.  A picture with heavier stitching, like the two Westies shown above, needs more stabilizer.  I still use the self-adhesive, but will add another layer of non-adhesive tear-away to the back.  

Using a light fabric marking pencil and a template, I mark on the fabric the dimensions of the card.  I do not trim the fabric close to the marked edge until after all the stitching is done. I try not to stitch within about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of that mark so when I trim the fabric after stitching, none of my stitches are cut away.   Adhere the stabilizer to the back of your fabric and pin the clear stabilizer with your traced picture on top.  You are ready to sew!  

Free-motion stitching becomes more comfortable with practice.  But, truly, for these pictures there are no rules.  Stitch length and density are personal preference.  I have a stitch regulator for my Bernina 770, but I prefer not using it for thread sketches.  I like to control the length of the stitches by moving the fabric faster or slower.  The bobbin thread will sometimes show.  If you do not like that look, you can adjust tension to ensure it does not happen.  I do not adjust the tension.  I either use the same color bobbin thread as used on top, or a similar shade or color to add interest to the stitches.   No rules!

Long and short stitches add interest to Jack's fur.
Jack is another coffee bud.  Jack's card also went to our Metropolitan building art show!
Because I think of my pictures as sketches, I use dark thread as you would a pencil to stitch the lines traced onto the stabilizer.  Sometimes, as with the sketch of Nettie, the pictures are stitched in only black.  If I plan to use more colors, I try to go from dark to light.  But, in reality, I rarely get through a sketch without going back to previous colors. When the picture is near complete, rinse the fabric under warm running water to remove the water-soluble stabilizer on top.  Do not yet remove the tear-away on the back.  Let it air dry or give it a press between two lightweight towels to dry it.  Once the permanent marker is gone, there may be areas where you need more thread.  Knowing when to stop stitching is a struggle for me.  With a pencil sketch, you can erase unnecessary lines, but pulling threads from your thread sketch is not as easy.  I will sometimes stop and set the sketch aside for a day before proceeding.  

When stitching is complete, the stabilizer on back can be removed or left on.  I usually remove as much as possible without pulling stitches.  Cut a piece of card stock the size of the greeting card to be used.  Trim the fabric to size depending on if you want the card stock to show like a mat.  Sew the fabric picture to the card stock and use double-side tape to adhere to the greeting card.   You can also sew the fabric photo directly to the greeting card and add a decorative paper insert to hide the stitches on the inside of the card.  No rules!   
Sadie sleeping in her mom's chair.  An example of stitching too close to the edge.  No room for matting.
I hope you will try doing your own thread-sketch greeting cards!  If you do, please share a picture.  I would love to see it!


Up Next!

I have several new subjects of interest for greeting cards.  Please come visit in January to see how they are progressing.  In the meantime, go to my Urban Stitcher Facebook page to see my latest projects.    

Friday, November 11, 2016

It's In The Bag

With Santa's workshop in full swing, there is little coming out of my sewing room that can be shared before Christmas.  This month, I will share past projects.   Someone recently asked about a bag pattern, so I will focus on bags I have made over the years, and where to find the patterns.   Many of the patterns are available online for a small fee or free. 

Bags are one of my favorite items to make and Portland is a great place for inspiration. It seems every person walking in downtown is carrying at least one bag of some sort.  Backpacks are very popular, but there are also many messenger bags, totes and purses.  Below, you will find a little of everything.  I hope you find something that inspires you! 


Totes

Totes are fun because they can be quick and easy for use as a grocery bag, or embellished with lining and pockets to go almost anywhere. I have used this pattern and modified it many times in the past 15 years, I can't remember where I found it.  It is pretty basic with a simple flat bottom. I suggest Sew4Home.com.  They have hundreds of projects and an easy project index.  If you can't find a tote pattern you like, let me know.  I will be happy to provide the basic dimensions and instructions.  

This bag and visor were made with home decorator fabric and osnaburg cotton lining.  I used heavy duty stabilizer so the bag stands on its own.  To stiffen and shape the visor I used white polystyrene plastic sheet .020 thick. It can be purchased at Dick Blick's art store and online. (I think its intended use is for modeling, but not sure.)  Even after covering the plastic with stabilizer and fabric, the sewing machine needle can perforate all layers.  I used an old visor as a pattern and had a couple of false starts, but ended up making about a dozen visors.  I like them because they pack flat.


For grocery bags, I prefer no stabilizer so they can be rolled or folded for easy carry to the grocery store.  I try to use a fabric that can be washed and dried. This bag has a thin muslin lining for strength and a washable muslin slipcover for the removable cardboard bottom.  

Pockets

For me, pockets make the bag.  Here are a few bags that are simply pockets.  They can be made using the entire top portion of the pants, or from a single pocket for a smaller bag.  I do not really follow a pattern for these bags.  I let the pants pocket lead the way.  For such a small bag, the heavy denim would not lie flat when turned right side out.  So, these small bags are sewn wrong sides together with a decorative stitch and the edge frayed.  Plan around seams that may be difficult to run through your sewing machine.  My old Bernina 180 had a little trouble with heavy seams.  My new 770 does a much better job.



I used monogram designs and decorative stitches to embellish the back side of each bag before stitching the pieces together.  Long leather boot strings and small wooden beads were used for the strap.

Jean bags can be easily lined and finished with a magnetic snap closure.

Just right to slip a phone and a few cards inside, and carry keys in outside pocket. 

These jeans had great pockets front and back, so I cut off the legs, sewed the bottom together and lined it.  A fabric and embroidered flower was added.  Straps were made from the legs of the jeans.  


I made this bag a few years ago using a leather skirt purchased from a second-hand store.  I cut off the bottom of the skirt and used it for handles.  The handles are attached to the belt loops.  I removed the zipper and sewed the opening closed (under the decorative flap).  If I were making it again, I would probably leave the zipper for detail.  The inside of the purse is lined and screen mesh is used to make pockets.  I love being able to see inside the deep pockets. The mesh can be purchased at a hardware store for very little money and it is great for many sewing projects.  If you are going to refashion a leather garment into a bag, take care to select a light weight leather with few heavy seams.  I have had better luck with leather skirts and have struggled with leather jackets.  
















Backpacks

Shoe string bags are fun.  The pattern can be easily re-sized.  And even with the lining, they sew together quickly. These bags are more popular with boys.  The very old McCall's #M4609 pattern I used is still available on Etsy, but there are many free string bag patterns...here is something similar.  
Made from a favorite Nike t-shirt
Machine embroidery design Polynesian Tattoo Green Lizard embroidery design from Embrostitch.com

A matching bag for American Girl doll

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I made these backpacks about eight years ago.  The structured shape is gusseted with a long zipper across the top.  The Butterick pattern #6735 can still be purchased.  It is a good value since it includes several bag styles.  



Hobo Bags

Two years ago, I made these Hobo bags for gifting our girls at Christmas.  This is one of my favorite bag patterns and it was free at FlamingoToes.com.  It is called a 4-Hour Slouchy Summer Hobo Bag.  The size was easy to modify for older/younger girls.  The adjustable strap was not part of the original pattern, but there are good tutorials on YouTube to help with adjustable straps.  I embellished the bags with a variety of embroidered designs purchased online.  I have two favorite machine embroidery designer websites.  The cats are from  HatchInAfrica.com.  The goth design is from UrbanThreads.com.  




Messenger bags

The year I made hobo bags for our girls, I made "metro" bags for the boys. Basically, a messenger bag without the flap.  Not all the young men in our lives carry this kind of bag, and the snake may have been a little over the top.  It is a great size for an iPad and a few other essentials.    

This pattern is available online, for free, at Sew4Home.com.   It is easily modified.   The snake embroidery design is from Advanced-Embroidery-Designs.com


The flip side of this bag shows the tail of the snake.

Wristlets and Wallets

Despite the fact that these wristlets have a zippered closure, they were fairly easy to make.  The pattern is easy to follow and available in PDF format for free at Sew4Home.com.  I received many positive comments from the girls who received them.  I made the bags pictured in 2011.  Just this week, I made an un-lined version to serve as an evening clutch.  Great scrap-buster!




These coin pouches are another great scrap-buster.  Although the original pattern is targeted for smaller children, the pattern designs can be adapted to make them more appropriate for older kids.  A golfer might hang one on the side of her bag for extra tees and balls.  A young man might store his ear buds and power cable.  The pattern was purchased online at StraightStitchSociety.com.  



I do not have a picture, but want to make mention of a great wallet for a boy or young man.  I made several for gifts and even received a request for a replacement after the original wore out.  The pattern can be found at Instructables.com.  



Coming in December!

Thank you for visiting.  Please come back in December when I will be featuring thread-sketched pets!


Thursday, October 20, 2016

Urb-Birds




When fall weather blows in, I start dreaming of warmer weather and exotic locales. Usually, dreaming is as far as it goes.  Travel is a lot of work, so instead of packing up, I head to my fabric stash.   

After posting UrbAnimals, several people suggested ideas for animal dolls.  A flamingo was the most popular suggestion, and Whittlewoman's suggestion for an ostrich sounded fun.  Although there is a great deal of paint on these dolls, they have added dimension with fabric and yarn feathers.  



Friday, September 30, 2016

Sew Happy


Button Emporium and Ribbonry in downtown Portland is a small storefront where I could spend hours browsing for treasures.  It was the proprietor of the shop who planted the idea to make dolls for Portland's children's hospital.  I started making dolls in August. On a beautiful Portland Fall day last week, Howard and I rode Portland Streetcar and Tram to the OHSU campus to deliver five dolls and a dragon.  We hope the children receiving these toys enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.  

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

UrbAnimals: It's a jungle out there!



 I have made a few dolls through the years.  Some are featured in my post last fall: Toys In the Attic.  In August, something triggered a compulsion to make dolls, so I went to my closet and started pulling out bits and pieces of fabric, paints, buttons and batting.  In the past couple of months, I have made ten dolls.  Seven of those dolls are awaiting their destiny and will be introduced in a future post. The dolls featured here are my own designs.  The giraffe and elephant were my first designs.  Since I was unsure how they would turn out, I did not document the process.  By the time I started the camel, I had an idea how to work through the steps without multiple do-overs.  Photographs documenting creation of the camel are included below. 

I hope the UrbAnimals make you smile.


Sunday, June 19, 2016

Happy Father's Day

Dad has been gone many years and we still miss him.  This year, for Father's Day, I stitched cards for our sons and brothers depicting some of the fishing lures from Dad's collection.   


My brother has the remaining few lures mounted for display.  Dad made some of his lures.  I do not know if he made any of these.  I think Dad would be pleased that the lures have been preserved and we still enjoy them. 



The Cards

A variety of fabrics and papers were used for the foundation.  Fabrics were appliqued for the body of each lure. 




Decorative paper foundation.



A decorative stitch was used to create the patterned fabric before cutting the applique shape.  




Saturday, April 16, 2016

In the chips!

Since my last post, I have completed 11 carvings.  Nine of the completed carvings are part of a nativity set.  Mary was the first piece; the angel completed the set.  My skills improve a little with each carving, so I fight the inclination to go back to develop each piece a little further.  I am trying to stick to the rule, that once my name, date and the carving number are added, it is done!


Although these pieces were carved to be a set, experimenting with finishes and wood sizes make them each a little different.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Carving Cranes and Stitching Carter

For the past few weeks, my crafting area seems more like a wood shop than a sewing room.  It is littered with tools, sandpaper and wood chips. I have completed five new wood carvings, each a little more advanced than the previous.  The learning curve continues to be very steep forcing flexibility and imagination to make up for skill.

As much as I am enjoying carving wood, my sewing machine was haunting me.  A birthday wish for our grandson was a good excuse to try a different technique in thread sketching.



#3 wood carving- Small Crane

My third carving is a small crane measuring about five inches tall.  It is carved in basswood and mounted on a small wood thread spool.  After hours of whittling, applying paint seemed intimidating.  Instead, I applied a bit of blue chalk to darken some of the feathered areas.  I tried white chalk in other areas, but it dissipated with the linseed oil.  The spool was an easy way to make the crane stand, but the spool deserves more attention. Long wood shavings were used around the legs to decorate and steady the mount.  

Challenges faced include how to keep the carving tools sharp and eliminate the "fuzzy" basswood finish. Frequent stropping has helped both of these issues, but there is also skill I have yet to acquire to determine the direction of cuts and what the wood will tolerate. I have learned that if there is fuzziness when the carving is complete, applying the linseed oil and letting it dry before sanding helps remove the fuzzies.  Extra care is required, as the sandpaper will remove detail along with the fuzzies.  


#5 wood carving - Oregon Coast Crane on Lake Erie

About 15 inches tall
This crane is carved from driftwood found on the Oregon Coast many years ago. The driftwood sat in a drawer waiting for a project.  As soon as I started carving wood, I pulled it out and began looking for clues of what it should be.  It took two weeks before the crane appeared in the wood.  

Care had to be taken when planning what I would do with the driftwood.  The part that became the head was very hard, almost like rock.  The other end was soft, like charcoal.  

The cattails were carved from pieces removed from the body of the bird.  The reeds are made from handmade Black Ink Egyptian Papyrus paper, purchased at our local Dick Blick Art store.  





Natural wood anomalies on
the wing area were left undisturbed. 
Linseed oil was applied to the entire piece. The oil darkened the driftwood considerably. Fortunately, I had treated the crane with oil before mounting it on the base, allowing a little sanding and additional carving to recreate detail.  

The crane and the reeds are mounted on a piece of driftwood purchased on eBay.  The dealer said the driftwood had been gathered from the shores of Lake Erie. Why purchase driftwood when we live only two hours from an endless supply at our beautiful Oregon coast?  The short answer is that I was anxious to complete the piece, but could not see myself foraging for just the right driftwood in the cold, wind and rain.  I am, however, looking forward to our next trip.  Gathering driftwood will be on my short list of things to do while there.  


The eye is a knot that runs
through the wood.
The back side is uncarved

Talented athlete #16

This birthday card for our grandson, Carter, was inspired by a photo of him taken by his mother.   Because his uniform pants would stand out better on a colorful background, I decided to try stitching on a layered background rather than the osnaburg cotton.  Incorporating colorful fabrics into my thread sketches would broaden the possibilities, but it takes practice to achieve balance.  The simple background depicting the ball field was a good place to start.  The fabric edge would have been better finished with a turned edge or binding.  The torn edge stretched the fabric more than expected and made it difficult to apply the fabric to the card. 






Coming Up!

There are a few more cards and small wood carvings in the works.  I also have a larger thread sketch in mind incorporating a variety of fabrics into the sketch.  The idea is still developing.  

Thank you for visiting.   I hope you will come back.














Friday, January 29, 2016

Something Old, Something New

After a slow recovery from the holidays, we are finally settling into a welcome routine. The holidays were full of inspiration and I am looking forward to getting started on new projects.   

Something Old

The first sewing project of the year was a a birthday card for my amazing mother-in-law. I used a photo of the house her mother and father lived in many years ago.  My husband has fond memories of visiting his grandparents in this house. 

Photo taken 2007

The stitched version makes the house look more rustic than it really is.  I have added leaves to the background trees.

Rather than bind the edge of the thread sketch, I chose to tear the fabric away and leave it frayed. I like this look, but it takes a little planning and preparation to ensure that the fabric will tear properly once the stitching is completed.  To do that, I measured the card size.  Keep in mind that the stitching will draw the fabric a little.  Once my measurement was made, I pulled threads from the base fabric along the measure lines to ensure the grain would be square with my picture.  Pulling the threads also marked where the stitching would stop.   

Something New

My sister sent an adorable Santa carved into a wooden thread spool.  Her work inspired me to give hand carving a try, but I did not know where to start.  Serendipity took over during the holidays and I was introduced to an artist who has a series of wood carving videos posted on YouTube.  You can find her by searching for SharonMyArt.  

I made a small investment in supplies, including a beginner palm and knife set, a pair of gloves and a bag of pre-cut basswood blocks.  A few days later, here are my #1 and #2 wood carvings! Pretty rough, but having fun!  

About two inches tall.
Though the cuts on #2 (right) are a little more controlled than on the first owl, more practice is needed to eliminate the "fuzz" caused by multiple cuts. 

#1 (left) was painted and finished with linseed oil.  #2 was dipped into linseed oil tinted with a bit of paint.

I am anxious to see what I can do with the hand carving tools.  I hope you will check back in a few weeks to see what develops!