Nanday Parakeets – Part 2

Continued from part 1 

Let’s pause and talk about the pattern I used to mark the stitching lines. To learn more about the types of patterns available and the process of choosing images please read Fabric Collage How to Begin blog.

I work with many wildlife photographers and have permission to use lots of images. I created this art using several different photos to create the composition. I looked especially for images of perched feet and close ups of eyes and beaks. By taking the time to study the animal and it will help you capture them more realistically.

Many students are lost when it comes to creating original art. There are wonderful sketch programs available which turn photographs into line art. I use them for my small hand embroidered projects. Although I did NOT use this app for, “Liberated,” I feel it may be helpful to explain how it can be used

Using tiny sharp paper scissors, slits were then cut into the pattern creating small openings and windows. The pattern is then laid over the thread-painted art and marked with an erasable fabric marker. I always cut my patterns leaving a hinge. This helps to keep it all together. There’s nothing worse than losing a beak! This process was repeated for the branch.

For those interested in learning more, I go into much more detail in my 1-hour recorded thread-painting demonstration. After the thread-painting was completed, I added my signature using free-motion embroidery. I always sign each completed piece as this is fine art. It takes a lot of practice as this is the very last thing stitched to the work. If I mess it up, due to threads tangling, or pressure adjusted incorrectly it could mar the art or, worse yet, spell my name wrong!

Thanks for following along, I would love to read your comments!

All of Lorraine’s work supports endangered animals worldwide.