The Progression – Part 2
When creating water, I often use metallic threads to add shimmer. I prefer Sulky Holoshimmer over the cheaper brands which always fray and break.
Metallic threads can be very tricky to work with and I use a spool cover made of netting to keep them from tangling. Metallic threads are NEVER put in the bobbin— a matching cotton thread is all that’s needed.
Using many images of galloping zebras for reference, I sketched them onto canvas. Each stripe was snipped, pinned and stitched using Aurifil 50 wt. threads. To learn more please see my fabric-collage recorded demonstration. Each stripe was outline-stitched using free-motion embroidery and a wooden embroidery hoop. I used a Superior 90/14 topstitch needle. They have an extra groove and I love the way the thread flows through. I stop often and clean my machine as thread-painting does cause some lint from time to time. The sewing machine is actually a computer which is no friend to dust.
Some of the zebras were left gray intentionally to cast them into shadow. I slowly stitched to secure every scrap, this allows me to do most of the thread-work before adding to the background. To learn more about this technique see my thread-painting recorded demonstration. The delicate fabrics on an art quilt need to be handled gingerly and the less time I touch it, the better. This is why the zebras are stitched separately and added.
Once the thread-painting on the zebras was completed I added Misty fuse, a tissue-thin dual sided fusible stabilizer. It’s soft, flexible and much lighter than other brands which helps lessen the bulk. Next, I carefully cut out the herd using tiny sharp scissors. I prefer KAI 4” snips. Before fusing to the landscape, I added bits of bridal lace in order to make the splashes appear coming from behind the zebras. I stitched them onto the water using 50 wt. Aurifil white thread. I also added several shades of teal lace to the water under where the herd would be fused.
The splashing white water was created with a technique used to create texture. To learn more about this please see my Splash of Texture recorded demonstration. When creating splashes, I always use Aurifil #2024 white as it seems to have an extra snowy white shimmer. I used 12 wt. on the top and 50 wt in the bobbin.
I always use a closed BERNINA 29C foot because the threads can get stuck in the horse shoe style foot #24. Trial and error taught me a closed foot works best. I was careful not to overstitch it —the blue water needs to show through.
Before soaking the Sulky water-soluble stabilizer, I cut away the excess to avoid adding slimy glue to the water. I added a drop of dish soap and let it soak for at least 20 minutes, rinsed it well in warm water and let it air dry. I set this aside.
Once this was completed, I used a teflon sheet to cover and fuse the herd onto the background. I then carefully stitched the zebras down securing them into place using Aurifil 50 wt. threads.
The tiny beads of water that cover the zebras were created using hand-embroidery. An innumerable number of French knots were carefully added one-by-one stitching over the herd. I only stitched into the top layers and not all the way through to the back.
The same Aurifil 12 wt. thread used in the thread-painting, was carefully stitched using a sharp DMC #24 embroidery needle. Once this was completed, I rested my hands…and eyes!
Coming up I will dive into the larger splashes and the final stages including the wrapped edges.
To be continued…
All of Lorraine’s work supports endangered animals worldwide.