Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Sketch Stitching -- Part Two : :

sketch stitching

Last night once the kids went to bed I decided to try another machine sketch stitching idea. The last one was for my son, who has it taped up on his bedroom wall with his other special posters and drawings. Mothers, you can imagine just how special that made me feel!! For this one, I have a very specific plan that is going to involve a few different stages. Last night I stitched away and finished stage one -- Black & White. I tried to remember to take photos as I went, so I could better share how this part came together. Want to see?

Stitchy -- eye
stitchy -- hair
stitchy -- outlining
picnikfile_Qt4DAb
Finished Black & White

First, please forgive my dark photos! Hopefully, you can see that the first thing I do is stitch in a basic outline, next her face, and then add the details. The first photo shows me stitching on the felt side, which is what I use as my stabilizer. I've never done any machine embroidery, although my machine is capable. From playing around with this type of free motion sewing, I know it's important to have a stabilizer to support the fabric your stitching on during all that multi-directional machine stitching, to hold the fabric as flat and inflexibly as possible. Since I am just palying around right now, and these pieces won't be something I need to wash, the felt works just fine for me. I certainly have enough of it! If this is something I decide to keep doing, I definitely plan to pick up real stabilizers to have on hand that will either tear, cut, wash, or heat away. Do any of you have a recomendation?

I'm really excited for stage two -- Color! But I have many crown orders to get back to this morning! Happy Wednesday, freinds!!
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35 comments:

  1. Exiting and beautiful! You have always so great ideas and give us inspiration! Thank you!
    x Teje

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  2. Just amazing!! You have a very special gift for this type of work!

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  3. These are so incredibly beautiful. I can't wait how it turns out coloured. Very exciting! Wishing you a great week. :)

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  5. have you named her yet? has your son named the one he has on his wall? she looks like a violet to me... ;) love seeing your process. i can't wait to see you do this in person! ;)

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  6. MC I love her, thanks for showing us the process. As weird as it sounds me giving you a tip. Do NOT use Tear away!!! pulling all that away between stitches, you would still be sitting there tomorrow. I think you should stay with what your doing. Its working, or try Fleece, it washes and thats what I use for the baby things I do, it works great also for batting. There is a lady on My Sweet Prairie that does detail work and wow, check it out...I love your ladies.

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  7. Good morning Maureen!!! This is just another example of your creative talent. I think you've just found another calling. Sewing portraits!!! How sweet that your little boy has your art on his wall, the ultimate compliment!!!I would love to have a "thread painting" of my Grandson, he's my biggest admirer of all things his Grammy makes!!!Have a very creative day!!! Hugs, Cyndy

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    1. Thank yo Cyndylou!! His reaction was wonderful! You are right, the ultimate compliment, especially at his age when I notice him starting to be very sure about what HE likes and does NOT like! :)

      I wish the same to you today!!

      p.s. you are a no reply commenter, I'm not sure if you know?

      xo,
      Maureen

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  8. Maureen, this is simply amazing. Congratulations. It already looks fantastic, even in black and white.

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  9. Maureen, this is simply beautiful - what a creative mind you have - something to log into 'consider trying' box

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  10. Such a unique art and an incredible talent! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. So we're seeing your bobbin thread! That explains why the first one was a mirror image of the sketch! Is that a machine blanket stitch for the hair strands or are you actually sewing all of those little lines?!

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  12. That's amazing. I am stuck in stick figure land, so this is quite beyond me. You are definitely multi-talented. I love it.

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  13. I really love her eyes--the brows and lashes are great. I tried this sketching concept with a tree. It was so much fun. I wish I had a whole day to sit down and play around with this fun way of sewing!

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  14. Maureen, this is just crazy amazing!!!! How on earth you can possibly do it is beyond me. It's gorgeous, fabulous, just fantastic. You are one amazingly talented lady. I love seeing all your work.

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  17. You continue to just blow me away with your creativity! I mentioned you today:
    http://www.handbagsnpigtails.com/2012/03/last-fall-when-i-made-my-first-quilt-as.html
    Have a great night!

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  18. Boggles my mind, Maureen. Absolutely brilliant.

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  19. It's absolutely fab, and love the details like the eyelashes!

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  20. You have an amazing talent! Wow - beautiful work!! Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

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  21. Love it! I use an amazing thing from Pellon called stick and wash away. It sticks on like a super sticky post-it note, no ironing, then washes away after you wash it. And you can draw or print onto it first (thats what I do, then I just follow the lines!)

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  22. That is such an awesome idea. I need to get my sewing machine out and start stitching again.

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  23. Wow! Your work is stunning! It's hard to belie e you've never done this before. It looks so professional.

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  24. that is amazing. i love it

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