Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Stuck : :

Sketch Stitch Prints

I've been hanging out with my sketch stitch wips for a while now and still haven't decided on a plan for any of them just yet. I have several different ideas, but nothing solid? Above is what both the back (left) and the front (right) look like in print form, you can see how making a copy picks up both the wrinkles and the fibers of the fabric. So, I'm not sure that turning these into prints, like I had hoped, is going to work? I want to be able to see that they are stitched, rather than drawn, but I want them to look nice enough to put in a frame to hang as artwork.

So...I'm asking for your thoughts today! What would you like to see these thread sketches become -- continue on with prints? a mini quilt? keep as a focal (or make more) for a large quilt? applique for pillows, bags, etc??

I'd love your help!!  Maureen

51 comments:

  1. Love the colors working together. Gosh, I think they would be great as a print and/or used as a focal point for a wall hanging, pillow or quilt. I sure know what you mean about being "stuck" - I have a terrible time with decision making!!! GayleB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Gale! I really had my heart set on turning her into prints to offer in my etsy shop or even just to have one for myself.

      I don't have photo shop, which I could use to minimize the shadows that the fibers make. I wish Flickr still had picnik, but with their new built-in photo editing program, I can't do anything?

      I'm leaning towards finishing her as a mini quilt wall hanging right now. I usually don't have such a difficult time making these decisions?? :)

      Delete
    2. Maureen, have you tried Picasa? It's a free Google program... not sure it would do everything you want, but it could come close. Also my son, the artist, works magic with Paint. I can understand you wanting to have prints. Personally I think it would be cool to have a quilting bee of sorts with your girls as participants...(just a group setting ~ haha like the dogs playing poker) totally don't mean ANY disrespect... the thought just occurred to me, and made me chuckle.

      Delete
  2. I would make a wall hanging.
    If i was just using the above gir, i would make a window effect, making a grid, and put flowers in the "panes" around her. I would be like looking a snapshot of spring from a window.

    ReplyDelete
  3. By prints do you mean paper prints? Or fabric prints? I could imagine that this beautiful sketchy girl could be pretty adorable worked into a cute sketchy fabric design. :) Spoonflower?
    Would a higher quality scanner help? or a different photo editing program? I don't know much about these things. Maybe another reader will! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paper prints -- I should have been more specific! oops!

      I took this fabric piece to a local print shop, but I think you're right -- a higher quality scanner and photo editing program would be really helpful!

      Delete
  4. I think your stitched sketches would make terrific prints. Have you tried stretching them on a frame before scanning? I do that with my finished embroidered pieces to use on their pattern covers and it makes a world of difference. It eliminates all the wrinkles and you can still see the texture of the fiber and the stitches. Also - I scan everything I can instead of photographing. The lighting is perfectly even, there's no distortion from shooting at even a slight angle, and if you scan them at super high res you can also enlarge them past the size of the original - nice if you're offering prints. If your pieces are too large to scan on a regular home scanner you can bring them to an office supply store where they have large bed scanners and can save the file to a flash drive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wendi, this is extremely helpful!! As far as I know the print shop did use a large bed scanner. I'll have to ask if it can be stretched and then scanned -- that is a wonderful idea!!

      I should also add that the few thread sketches I have made are very simple compared to what I dream of doing. Figuring out a plan for the ones I've already made, will really help me decide if it's worth it for me to spend the time to see my others ideas through.

      Thanks!!

      Delete
  5. I love her! and I think she would be a gorgeous print. I think she'd be beautiful as a focal point of a quilt, too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. How about canvas prints?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think they would be great in a quilt, or as a wall hanging on their own. I would be happy to have anything with this darling girl on it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think that this little girl would look lovely if you framed her and hang her somewhere in your house !

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd go for them all -
    I like the idea of fabric prints - where you can over sew sections (eg: the blouse area) with coloured thread
    panels for wall hangings and to make quilts
    the possibilities are really endless

    ReplyDelete
  11. I agree with Wendi - I think stretching could make all the difference. You might have to pick a side to "keep" though :-( Way back when, I made a couple of heirloom quality cross stitch pieces on linen. I had the best one professionally stretched and mounted at a frame shop and then framed. There was a cost for stretching, but the main $$$ went to the frame so maybe it wouldn't be too costly ??? Worth checking into.

    Hey - maybe you could barter with a frame shop and give them three or four prints to frame/sell in exchange for the stretching??

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just wish I knew how you did this? It's pretty wonderful!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love her because she is personal, She belows with some of your quilt work to echo her story. I think printing her would take away from that. Making a pattern of her would be great, but you wouldnt have to cut out the problems you see ( just a thought) You know I love her and when you get comfortable, I want one done but of a person I know and sale it to me, Put your stitching and I can add clothes, flowers, etc.. What thats worth, I dont know, but I would pay to see my grandmother done. I want to quilt photo quilts and these faces have given me a whole nother Idea. I miss Picnik too.. Goodluck.. I will be watching..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Can't you do both? If you make prints you still have your originals to use as focals or mini quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I don't think you should give up on doing the prints, it's such a great idea. Have you tried picmonkey for photo editing? It's very similar to picnik and I'm really happy with it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would turn them into pillows if you are not happy with them being turned into prints. I always tell myself if I'm not going to be happy with the finished product, chances are other people will not enjoy my work either. Even though you might give one to another person, that person can tell by your body language and words that this particular print is not your most favorite and that feeling rubs off on them. You can always make another print, I say turn them into beautiful pillows, you have a great beginning with what you have and I'm sure they would turn out gorgeous! You are so creative and your creations are superb!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the idea of seeing her on a tote! I think she is beautiful and needs to be the center of something. If she was on a tote, everyone could enjoy her when you went shopping!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think framing the original stitched version would be wonderful. They are certainly works of art. You are so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi there Maureen. I was thinking of you yesterday as I was making an owl for my little one's birthday.
    You really can't go wrong with your thread sketches. I am probably always going to vote for a mini art quilt.
    As always - your blog is wonderful and full of inspirations!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Maybe one expanded one off centered on a quilt as a focal point and then some thrown pillows to match, both done with random scrap colors and then maybe a main color. they are so cute.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I don't know if anyone has said this yet, but make prints so more of us can enjoy your beautiful work on a budget, then frame and sell the originals at a price equal to the time, energy, and cost of creating them. I know if I had one of those pretty ladies hanging in my work space, I'd be doubly motivated to get going on my own projects. Great work, Maureen, you'll get outta the funk!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I think they would be beautiful as prints but I like the idea of a mini quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  23. A quilt, mini or otherwise, would be beautiful with these!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think a pillow or quilt would be fun. And waitatick's suggestion of prints is also interesting. I'm sure there would be an interest in them on etsy! You always make such neat things, Maureen!

    ReplyDelete
  25. If you want to continue with making these into paper prints, you could try using gimp (http://www.gimp.org/), which is a free image editing program. I use it since I don't have Photoshop anymore. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I know that framers can stretch fabrics and things a bit to get rid of wrinkles, that's what they do with embroideries anyway :o)

    ReplyDelete
  27. holly @hotmail.comMay 16, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    I would have them framed as is.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Maureen, I have always loved your pillows and would gladly have this one proudly sitting on my favorite chair.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I think these would make awesome pillows! You are so stinkin talented :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think she would be great on the side of a tote.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I think you should make more prints and make a quilt with her as the center, and make pillow cases too. I also think she would look great on a stretched canvas, and framed and placed on the wall. Your work is fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I do love the idea of the prints that I believe many people would buy!

    For the original, I kind of liked the idea (did you mention it at some point?) of making her for a cover of a drawing book/journal? I was envisioning sort of like a book cover, but made out of quilted, instead of stretchy material, and one could buy a drawing journal that could slip into the book cover.

    I feel like I am not explaining very well, but here is somewhat what I had in mind: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/08/how-to_sew_a_simple_fabric_boo.html

    I just love that she is a 'sketch' and would be so inspiring to have on the front of a journal or sketch book, and if made as a 'cover', when the sketch book is full, it can be taken off and put on the next one!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh, and I have been meaning to tell you that I find your work so soothing. I have three of your pillows that I purchased for decorative purposes for my office at work - except I don't get my new office until July :( However, once I do, they will be in there and I can't wait to take a picture or two to send your way.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love her and see her as an insert in folding wood room screen made up of 4 panels where each one is of her with a different season background. Now is that weird or what!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Maureen, How about Giclee Art Prints? From an online print shop:
    "giclee print"; Images are generated from high resolution digital scans and printed with archival quality inks onto various substrates including canvas, fine art, and photo-base paper. The giclee printing process provides better color accuracy than other means of reproduction.
    ... These modern technology printers are capable of producing incredibly detailed prints for both the fine art and photographic markets.
    "The Advantages : Giclee prints are advantageous to artists who do not find it feasible to mass produce their work, but want to reproduce their art as needed, or on-demand." Check out this paper collage artist's work on Etsy for an example of the quality and detail: http://www.etsy.com/listing/90505546/tangle-giclee-art-print Click on second photo on right for best detail. Just an idea...good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I would buy a print! Just beautiful! And I just read Anna's comment above - love the idea of a series hung together!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I see her as the center of a single bed quilt with the surrounding matching fabric as expressions of her thoughts. Great quilt for a daughter

    ReplyDelete
  38. I see her as the center of a single bed quilt with the surrounding matching fabric as expressions of her thoughts. Great quilt for a daughter

    ReplyDelete
  39. I see her as the center of a single bed quilt with the surrounding matching fabric as expressions of her thoughts. Great quilt for a daughter

    ReplyDelete
  40. She is so absolutely stunning - I wish I had even a tenth of as much talent as you! I see her as a centre piece - she's too good to hide among other things. Either in a beautiful frame or as a special bag. x

    ReplyDelete
  41. This may sound totally off the wall but if the size is right could you add some fabric to one and cover a large lampshade in it? Ive seen lampshades covered in bright, beautiful fabrics before. If this worked, it would be really unique. Or maybe Im just nuts:) Thats a possibility too!
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  42. this may seem random but i think of a quilt like the old sunbonnet sue sampler would be super. just a bunch of your girls made into a quilt. is that weird? i think it would be great! http://www.etsy.com/listing/98115997/sunbonnet-sue-quilt-blocks-twelve

    ReplyDelete
  43. Could you get some of that tacky board that you use when you frame embroidered pieces and attach the sketch to it before you try to copy it? That way you could flatten out all the wrinkles and it wouldn't shift when you move it around. Of course, it would look beautiful just framed on it's own, too!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I know I'm a little late on this post, but I love your sketches! They are absolutely beautiful, and so impressive! I have been wanting to do something like this, but much smaller and to put in a frame for a baby keepsake. I think yours would be beautiful framed...isn't she inspired by your daughter, or did I make that up? If she is, it would be a very cool portrait for a little girls room. It would be a much cooler and updated version of the profile cutouts that ppl used to get of their kids :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. شركة تنظيف منازل بالباحة
    شركة تنظيف بيوت بالباحة
    افضل خدمات التنظيف بالباحة التي تقوم علي ايدي اكبر العمالة المتخصصة في تنظيف المنازل والبيوت وتنظيف شقق بالباحة وتنظيف فلل بالبااحة وتنظيف خزانات بالباحة

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

If you are a no reply or an anonymous commenter, I will be sure to respond to your comment right here - so please do check back!