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Mount Hood Home
8x10 |
Our condominium social committee recently hosted an art show for the residents. It was a fun event for everyone and a non-threatening way for residents to show their work as artists and crafters. I was amazed at the number of ultra talented people in our building. As I set up my own display of thread sketches, I did not know if I should be inspired or give up and go home!
I stayed, of course, and the feedback was very generous. I was flattered and, as always with a commission, a little intimidated when a neighbor asked if I would stitch one of her own photos. At completion of her thread sketch, she agreed to allow creation process pictures to be posted here. Each step is described with a few words. Please feel free to post or email questions about the process or products used to create this thread sketch.
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| The home and a few background items were traced onto water soluble stabilizer. I created more detail on the stabilizer than usual to maintain perspective as I stitched. Two layers of stabilizer were used on the backside: one layer of adhesive stabilizer and one layer of tear-away. In a less detailed thread sketch, the tear-away is not required at this stage. |
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| Here, the basic stitches are in place and the soluble stabilizer rinsed away. |
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| Back side after the initial stitch lines were completed. The adhesive stabilizer is intact, but the tear-away was removed. It tends to wrinkle when wet. Another layer of tear-away was added before continuing to stitch. |
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| I always start with mid-range color. Fabric and thread seem to absorb light and can seem flat. I like to use many colors of quality machine embroidery threads to add depth and sheen to the sketch. |
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| Acrylic paint with a little sparkle added to the sky. |
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| There is a lot of detail in the structure of this house. Stitching too much detail can pucker the fabric and look messy. The stitches cannot be removed, so it is best to plan ahead on how much detail to include. |
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| Snow scenes can be tough, but the original photo had beautiful color. Acrylic paint was used to duplicate the colors. In the final thread sketch, additional lavender and salmon colored threads were used to add detail to the snow areas. |
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The back side of the final thread sketch.
When the thread sketch was completed, card-stock paper was stitched to the back using a decorative zig-zag stitch around the edge. The paper protects the bobbin threads and the zig-zag stitch keeps the canvas fabric from fraying. I typically use scrapbook paper because it comes in large sizes, it is acid-free, and while heavy enough to give extra body to the thread sketch, it is lightweight for my sewing machine needle to penetrate. |
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| Not sure you can see from my photo that a few metallic and glittering threads were used to highlight glowing windows and sparkling snow. |
I was honored that my neighbor asked me to create this thread sketch for her. I enjoyed the project. It provided challenging subject matter different from what I may have tried on my own. Thank you, Fran!
Up Next, I hope to post short video of the free-motion thread sketch process. Please visit again soon!
