Stitch The Sketch #11: How to Use a Photo to Create a Stitched Drawing

Friends of mine went on vacation in Turkey recently.  They did a travel blog and sent us pictures of everywhere they went and what they were doing.  It was really fun to go along with them on their trip by following their pictures.  

They sent this picture of their hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey that I really loved. With their permission, that’s the subject of episode 11. Here’s the hotel carved out of the caves at Cappadocia.

In this episode, I want to stress again that you don’t have to be great at drawing to do a stitched drawing -you can always use a reference photograph. And here’s my simplified drawing of the scene above.

 

 

And here’s the front view of my stitched drawing on cotton fabric.

And here’s the reverse view of this stitched drawing.

And now here’s the video showing me stitching this drawing.  Scroll down after the video to read how you can use a photo to create a stitched drawing.

If the video does not appear, please click this link.

Tips, Techniques, and Tools

How to Use A Photo to Create A Stitched Drawing

1. Choose a photo that you like not one that you think others will like
2. Copy / enlarge your photo to your desired size
3. Study your inspiration photo closely, then put it away. Write down from memory, a list of the things you find interesting in your photo
4. Trace the outlines of your photo directly onto fabric (using air or water erasable marking tools) or onto water soluble stabilizer that can be washed away later.
5. Some photos can be very complicated, use your list of details that you made earlier to guide you in tracing only the interesting details. You don’t need to depict every detail in a photo. Actually, choosing to depict only those details which you find interesting, helps you put your own personal spin on the artwork.
6. Start your stitched drawing by stitching out your outlines.
7. Fill in the spaces between your outlines by shading with a combination of varying thread color and varying the distance between stitch lines.

Warmest Regards,

 

 

Watch all the Stitch the Sketch Videos and read about the techniques.