Hand Stitched Fabric Collage – Part 2
Using the photo as a guide and working from the top I began to shape the feathers forming small crescent shapes. A very loose fly stitch helped give the impression of feathers. (You can do a “how to” search for instructions on the fly stitch.)
I always pay close attention to the underlying fabric as I stitch. The fabric is working in harmony with the threads and it’s important to keep the stitching balanced in order for the fabrics to peek through.
If you look closely, you will see the fabric markings in purple. I used a heat erasable pen by Frixion™. The photo template was carefully slit to allow me to lay it over the fabric to locate feathers. I did NOT draw them all in. The work is impressionistic and not meant to be photo realistic. I continued to stitch the feathers row by row all the way to the bottom.
The work was removed from the hoop as I continued to stitch. It was then replaced in order for me to extend the feathers below the bottom edge of the art.
As you can see, I chose different weights of threads. This helps add depth and interest to the texture. Over-dyed threads give the art a more natural look. The stitching changes colors reflecting what is found in nature. The blending of colors stitched against the various shades of fabrics lying underneath always brings a surprise as it’s unpredictable. It’s why no two pieces ever look alike.
The soft downy feathers around the beak were added using white Tussah silk. I then carefully stitched the shadow around the eyes.
Once the stitching is finished, I take it out of the hoop and press it, to remove all purple markings.
There are several methods in covering the back of the hoop, just do a search on the web and you will find many to choose from. I trim the art leaving about an inch and then loosely baste it. I leave extra threads for pulling up and gathering the excess fabric.
A layer of felt is then overlaid to cover this and then I carefully stitch the felt it all around the back neatly finishing the edges tucked against the wooden hoop.
