Thursday, March 15, 2012

Machine Sketch Stitching : :

Well, I had a talk with my oldest son the other day about my sewing, I was working on my scraps quilt when I asked him, "what would you like to see me make?" He answered by telling me how much he misses me drawing. I used to draw with him all the time, it's true. I would sit with the kids several times a week and draw up things at their request. I'll be the first to admit, now a days anytime we're crafting I always choose to sit behind my machine. I do miss drawing sometimes, but not very often, since we've never stopped doing crafts together. The times when I do miss drawing, is when I've experimented with "sketch stitching" in the form of appliques like the one I added to my artist roll-up or with my owl pillows. I mentioned those owl pillows to him, and he responded by telling me that those are his most favorite things I've sewn and that they actually looked like "me" -- as in his idea of who I am as his artsy Mama. Later that afternoon when I sat down at my machine to start stitching, I was inspired by his feelings and had an idea to make a new applique for a fabric sketchbook cover. After a short while and one bobbin winding, I finished what is now his new favorite drawing-sewn-thing I've ever stitched up. Ah, compromise! Wanna see?

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Other than the eyes, nose, and mouth, these were the only threads I had to trim away. For whatever reason I always try to use just one continuous stitch just like a line drawing, although I have yet to succeed at that!

Saturday -- Machine Sketch Stitching

This is the reverse side. A friend on my facebook page was curious what the back of this looks like. For this one I may like the back even better than the front?

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You know how I like to hang my blocks in the window light!

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I'm still not sure what to do with her? I mentioned that I had planned on a sketchbook cover and for that I liked the idea of black and white. But now that I look at all these photos I feel like she needs some color and that maybe she should be the beginnings of something more? I guess I'll leave her hanging around a while until I figure it out. Ideas?

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Yes, another wip... just what I need!!

p.s. My Stubby Pencil Studio Easter Giveaway ends tomorrow morning, enter here and I have a Fat Quarter Shop fabric giveaway beginning in the morning, so be sure to stop back for a chance to win!!

50 comments:

  1. Love the thread sketch. You are so talented!

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  2. is it just me or do your lovely ladies seem to resemble you? she's beautiful :) how about appliqued to a quilt patch and framed for your son.

    have you ever considered doing a family portrait in this fashion?

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  3. Beautiful. I can't even work out how you did that!! Did you use a special stitch on your machine? How long did it take?

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    1. Thank you! For this I stuck to the idea I had in my head pretty closely. I cut a piece of felt out in the shape of what I wanted to draw, I layered it onto regular quilting weight cotton fabric. I used the straight stitch on machine and one that resembles the blanket stitch. I would adjust the blanket stitch wider as needed for the hair. And, I just drew it out like the black thread was a pen or pencil.)

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  4. Omgosh Maureen! Love this :) Your so talented!

    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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  5. Wow! She's amazing, and so are you! So, I see what stitches you were using, but were your feed dogs up or down? I'm just fascinated by this. I want to "draw" too! But I think I better just play around with scraps, 'cause this probably takes some practice!

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    1. Oh my feed dogs, don't get me started!! Currently the wheel to adjust my feed dogs is stuck up inside my machine, so I am completely unable to move them! Right now they are up about half way and stuck there. It's been awful, but I only have to pull my work through just a few inches and then it moves through nicely on it's one. Quilting something large is going to be impossible, which is why I am doing mostly small projects or quilting as you go right now!

      You should try -- what do you have to lose!!

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    2. Okay, I tried! Not sure about my end result, but it was so fun! Here's what I did: http://theeternalthread.blogspot.com/2012/03/scribbling-with-thread.html#!/2012/03/scribbling-with-thread.html

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  6. Love what you did and love the idea of thread sketching. I usually don't use templates for stitching, I just imagine the design on the fabric and sketch it out, like I do with paper. Sometimes it works, sometimes I make a mess, but fun playing;)

    Debbie

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  7. Once again, I'm completely wowed. Not only wowed by your sewing, but appreciating the story and the inspiration of your son.

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  8. Amazing. I am scared to machine sketch. I have been doing a lot more hand sewing to compensate for my fear:) She is amazing.

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  9. She's gorgeous Maureen! Whatever you do with this block I am sure it will be amazing!

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  10. Thanks for sharing. One of these days I want to try this. You are very talented. :)

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  11. Wow! I wish I had the artistic vision to create something like that. I love it.

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  12. Beautiful! You are so very talented. Thank you for continuing to share your talents with us!! :)

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  13. Maureen, you are so incredibly talented, she's stunning. Of course I went over and voted for you - I have to confess that when I'm asked to vote, I do look through the list and vote for who I think should win, it was you of course!

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    1. I do the same! Of course, I normally would just ask for folks to vote, but since voting closes at 4pm today, and I had completely forgot to share the contest here until this last minute -- I am desperate!! LOL

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  14. Wow - I am so incredibly impressed, I will be sharing on my Facebook page today! Take care, Laura

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  15. Incredible! Beautiful sketch, Maureen. And yes, you have my vote! :)

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  16. amazing! seriously, amazing maureen. you are incredibly talented!

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  17. Oh my that is gorgeous! I should try this, although I am just starting to learn to sew and getting used to my machine. Maybe she should be wearing a flow-y dress?

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  18. So wonderful that you can be so inspired by your kids and have such great conversation with them about it! You know we'd love a tutorial on the method to this beautiful work!

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  19. Enjoyed the sketching but tearing up over the story. I, too, have a son and when I ask he is just as turned in to me as yours is. My heart breaks when I see other mothers who have no idea how to connect with their sons (they try but it's just the working for them). Thanks for the great reminder that it's worth every effort we put into mothering.

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  20. You're so infused with talent, and I love the way this thread sketch is a culmination of the conversation with your son. I always wonder if the prolific makers make time for their kids--you always do! Yes, of course I ran over and voted--you deserve a win on so many levels it's almost sinful!! May the blessings you send up fall down 10-fold into your lap ☺♥♥

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  21. p.s. you might find this interesting:
    http://www.urbanthreads.com/blog/?p=4576

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    1. Wow!! What amazing work! I don't think I'd ever want to do anything that involved "disappearing fabric" since I love it so, but the layers of stitchy sketching she adds to create her work is amesome!!

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  22. This is awesome. Wish I could free motion sew like this. Excellent WIP.

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  23. This is so beautiful! I almost can't stand it! :-) I'm sure the perfect idea will come in time, so I think it's a good idea to let it stew. For my part, I like the monochrome, though.

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  24. Hi Maureen, I am reading this at work... with NO pictures, and sadly I can't vote either (social networking sites are blocked). So I can hardly wait for 5PM so I can see what everyone is amazed about! I'm glad you are blessed with an amazing relationship with your son. I have twin sons who are 23 and still at home...love that special bond we have, and I too share my projects and get their input. Good luck with the contest! You've already won in my book!
    ~Maureen (mosews)

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  25. Wow. She is beautiful and this is beyond impressive. You are an amazing artist!

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  26. Oh she's fabulous! That hair with one thread is amazing! Good luck working out what her perfect home is :o)

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  27. Oh, Maureen. That is absolutely gorgeous. I had no idea you could even do that on a machine...

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  28. you are so absolutely amazing!!! she is beautiful! i have no idea what you should do with her but i think your right about the color. i am so excited to see where you take this new creative path.... oh the possibilities :)

    -jenny

    http://www.phishybee.blogspot.com/

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  29. Beautiful and so creative - love it!

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  30. If you made several faces, eyes open thru to eyes closed..theyd make a great personalised banner! Like............Mums got her eye on you son.........lol
    Maybe even for a childs party if the faces were similar to the child concerned even lol
    amazing work, love the idea, your so gifted !

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  31. Wow! This is just amazing. I have never seen anything like it and I am just totally in love.

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  32. ..breathless
    Oh my, that lass is a beauty, I've never seen a prettier embroidery! Gold star for you!!

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  33. This is gorgeous, I've never seen anything like it!

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  34. This is just so incredible Maureen. I love it.

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