Number 30!!! Yippee!!! Seriously, I really do need to spice it up a bit.  I’ve been thinking design variety. You know, different ways to introduce some variety in my stitched drawings. Specifically, I’ve been looking at how to create pencil-like sketches with some color in them. That’s not to say, the stitched drawings without color I’ve previously created lacked design variety. I did incorporate design variety  in those earlier pieces by doing things like varying  values of thread colors and stitch density.

But I think it’s time to bring it up a notch. If you noticed, starting in episode 27, I began to introduce color to the black and white stitched drawings. I’ve been exploring that angle somewhat. So this episode is all about introducing color to my black and white stitched drawings.

I started with this pencil sketch. As you know, I like to draw in pencil before fabric because it offers many benefits, including the opportunity to learn the details of my drawing. The sketch is not of any realistic scene.  It’s just a set of odd-shaped jars.  It reminds me of the kind of assortment of shapes you’ll find in a spice cabinet. How very appropriate to be thinking spice cabinet when I want to spice up my stitched drawings.

In recent days, I find myself thinking more design than technique. For the most part, I’ve figured out the technique of creating stitched drawings.  Of course, there’s always something new to learn.But I find myself itching to go back to basics and to concentrate on what makes a strong composition.

In that vain in the previous episode, I wrote about how I focused on design unity to create a stronger composition by using fewer rather than more colors. To spice it up in this design, I’m thinking design variety. The purpose of design variety is to add interest. So instead of using only greyscale thread colors, I’ve decided  to color part of the design using both fabric and thread colors other than greyscale (specifically neon green)

I think I’ve managed to achieve a good balance between design variety and design unity. The similar shapes of the jars create unity in the piece and also, the predominantly greyscale color scheme reinforces this unity. Variety is achieved by the different heights and sizes of the jars. Shapes although similar, are not exactly the same, thus introducing another element of variety. Finally I used color to spice it up and take design variety up a notch.

Tips, Tools & Techniques: Design Variety

Design variety can be hard to achieve when you’re thinking design unity.  They’re like opposite to each other. The way to achieve design variety without sacrificing unity is to keep some things constant, repeating them to create unity, while slightly varying a few things without breaking the unity. Breaking the unity will result in a confusing design. It’s a balancing act.

Elements You Can Vary to Create Design Variety (interest)  in A Stitched Drawing

1. Distance between stitch lines
2. Thickness of stitches
3. Values of Thread Colors (Have more values and less colors to balance unity)
4. Color
5. Shape (straight lines versus curved lines)

Questions: How have you used design variety in your work? Do you consider this principle when creating a piece of work? Share your thoughts below.

Warmest Regards,

Watch and read about the entire Stitch The Sketch series.

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Autumn is far away, I know, but this week when I decided to continue on my path of creating monochromatic designs with stitch, I couldn’t help but think of autumn. The color I worked with is orange and when I finished putting together my orange fabric collage, it just reminded me of autumn and harvest time.

When I embarked on this year-long project, my intention was and still is to explore how far I can use stitch in a design. Last week, was the first time I used a fabric collage as the background of my stitched drawing.  I wasn’t very pleased with my stitching last week because although I love how the flower – “Luscious Pink” – turned out, I realized I hadn’t pushed the boundaries of stitch in that design as much as I could have.

The presence of different fabric colors made me complacent. I relied on fabric to serve as my color and value and unintentionally ignored stitch. The result was that although I created a pleasing design, I didn’t push the limits of using thread far enough.

So this week, I created another fabric collage piece but focused on using thread as color, texture and value. Following are the pictures of the progression of the piece I created – “Autumn is Faraway”.  Scroll down after the video to read the lessons I learned about using thread in conjunction with your fabric collage and how to determine the direction in which to stitch.

Pencil Sketch:

Stitched Drawing:

Reverse of Stitched Drawing:

Video:

Tips, Techniques, and Tools

Fabric Collage

1. To make your fabric collage piece blend with your thread, choose thread that’s the same color and value as the underlying fabric. I noticed that if I chose thread whose color and value differ significantly from the background fabric, I get the fabric peeking out through my stitches.
2. When the sewing machine is going very fast and you’re free motion stitching, it’s hard to make instant decisions. For example, how do you determine the direction in which your stitches should go? I found that a simple rule of thumb is to echo the shape you’re shading. If you’re shading a circle, stitching in a circular direction will most likely work well.
3. You can easily create texture by making your stitch lines close together.

Well, these are the lessons from this week’s episode. As the saying goes, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Whenever I don’t venture to do more, I hardly learn anything new, just the same old things. And… “same old, same old”, can get boring.

What has been your experience in making new discoveries?  Are your discoveries all happy accidents? Do you embark on explorations just to see what you can discover? How have those explorations worked out for you? I’d love to hear your stories.

Warmest Regards,

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

In this episode of Stitch the Sketch, I decided to continue with the flower theme.  So I drew another flower. It’s similar in looks to a cherry blossom but I won’t necessarily call it that. I took some artistic liberties and added my own nuances to the flower.

This time, I decided to not only use threads but to draw the sketch using both thread and a fabric collage.  So in the tips and tricks section below, I’ll be sharing my own techniques for creating a fused fabric collage.  As always, I start with a pencil sketch and here it is shown below.

And then here is the stitched drawing on a fabric collage

Here’s the reverse side of the work:

Here’s the video that goes into detail showing how I created this piece.

Tips, Techniques, and Tools

Fused Fabric Collage

1. Trace the outline of your flower onto paper, making sure you have closed shapes for each of the shapes you intend to cut out.
2. Use heat to apply fusible web to the back of all the fabrics you intend to use for cutting out the shapes of your fused fabric collage. (I find that applying fusible web to the fabric before cutting, is easier than cutting out the shapes first and then applying fusible webbing to the small shapes.
3. Trace onto fabric, the closed shapes you drew on paper and cut out your fabric collage pieces.
4. Layer up your cut out fabric shapes, starting with the largest shape on the bottom and then arranging the smaller shapes on top of it. (Use your paper tracing as a guide for arranging your shapes)
5. When you’re done arranging your fabric collage pieces, iron to fuse them together
6. Avoid putting a light value fabric on top of a darker value fabric, because you’ll have a shadow of the dark fabric showing through the light value fabric (unless that’s the look you want to achieve)
7. After you have completed your fused fabric collage and put together your sandwich, you then go to the sewing machine and start stitching.
8. Stitch the collage pieces close to the edges to ensure your fused fabric collage is securely held in place and secondly, to minimize frayed fabric edges. Taking your time to stitch the outlines before you start shading ensures that you don’t have to work an obstacle course when you get to shading. (watch video to see me demo this)
9. You don’t need to go crazy stitching an obstacle course when you’re thread sketching. But whenever you have the opportunity to thread sketch close to the edge of a collage piece, take advantage to ensure you’ve stitched the edges of your fused fabric collage pieces secured.

Question: 

How do you do your fused fabric collages, if you use this technique? Anything different? If you don’t use this technique, what is the reason? Are you interested in trying out the fused fabric collage technique? Start a discussion in the comments section below.  Can’t wait to hear from you.

Warmest Regards,

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

The second quarter of the year is already here  – can you believe that? Because of my weekly commitment to creating weekly stitched drawings, I’m acutely aware, on a constant basis, how far gone we are in the year.

So spring is finally here and I’ve decided to start introducing color in my stitched drawings (just one color for now). For the first drawing in this quarter, I decided to use a pink color scheme.

It was hard to stop stitching this drawing. I kept on going and going. I actually had to make myself stop. I’m not so sure I like the outcome as much. However, doing something different, by using a color different from black and white was refreshing.

Below is the pencil sketch that I started with.

Pencil Sketch:

Front of Thread Sketch:

Reverse Side of Thread Sketch

The Video

Tips, Techniques and Tools

Stitched Drawing With Colored Thread

1. Think carefully about the color you’d like to show in your stitched drawing when choosing your background fabric. A fabric that’s contrasting to your thread color, will make your threads pop. If you want a muted look, then use a similar color fabric in a light shade.
2. Create depth and texture and increase color intensity in your stitched drawing by building up multiple layers of stitches. Don’t be afraid to go over your previously stitched lines with more stitches. That’s what a good stabilizer affords you.
3. To create interest in your stitched drawing, have a variety thickly stitched ( or shaded) lines as well as thin stitch lines.

Hope these tips help you some. As always, I can’t wait to read your comments. I look forward to the conversation in the comments section.

Warmest Regards,

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

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.

Stitch The Sketch #9 is entitled “The Round House”.  I saw this scene that I found interesting because of the round house.  

Usually, houses have these very straight lines so when I see architecture with curves it piques my interest and that’s exactly what this one did.  

I also like the fact that the view is from a terrace top looking out into the distant hills. Knowing how much I LOVE pots and vases, it didn’t help that there was a vase sitting on the terrace 🙂

Here’s my initial pencil sketch:

And here is my fabric drawing with stitch (front)

Fabric drawing with stitch (reverse)

Here’s the video that shows me doing the work. Scroll down after the video to see my tips for this episode. I revisited the issue of seam puckering and I’ve got a ton of tips to help you avoid seam puckering in the tips and techniques section below.

VIDEO

Tips, Techniques, and Tools

Troubleshooting Seam Puckering Issues

Seam puckering and fabric draw up seem to be one of the biggest issues people face when drawing with thread, free motion quilting, thread sketching or any other form of dense stitching.

I know how frustrating that can be. For the most part, I don’t experience issues with seam puckering. However, I do get my fabric draw up at the outside edges of my stitched drawings and that is very frustrating as well.

So I went on a hunt for solutions to this seam puckering and fabric draw up issues. After reading many technical documents from the textile and fashion industries, I’m glad to share my findings.

4 Main Reasons Seam Puckering Occurs

1. Displacement of the fabric yarns
2. Shrinkage (of thread, fabric, stabilizer etc.)
3. Thread Tension
4. Uneven Fabric Feed

How to Avoid Seam Puckering

So now knowing what the underlying causes are, here’s what to do. 

Tightly Woven Fabrics

Very tightly woven fabrics are more likely to cause seam puckering because it’s difficult for the sewing needle to pierce through, thus causing the yarns to draw up. Here’s the solution:

• Needles: Use finer point machine needles to help with this.
• Threads: Use finer threads so the thread can easily go through the fabric without displacing the yards too much.
• Presser Foot: Use presser foot and needle plates with small needle holes
• Increase stitch length and reduce thread density if possible. I find that when the sewing machine speed is faster than your hands can move the fabric around, you get short stitch lengths;  so endeavor to coordinate the two.
• Fabric: Consider using fabrics which are less tightly woven.

Shrinkage

When the different materials you’re using to sew, shrink at different rates, it can cause seam puckering.

When puckering occurs only after steam is applied to the work, the most likely culprit, in that case, is that the materials in your work shrink at different rates. 

To solve this:

• Preshrink fabric before use by washing and ironing
• Check for consistency in the shrinkage of other materials -fabric, thread, stabilizer, batting etc. – in your project.  Or you can try several combinations of materials till you find what works best together.

Thread Tension

Last weekend, I was having a hard time with skipped stitches and breaking machine needles. This was very perplexing to me because, since I became comfortable at free motion stitching, I hardly break machine needles or get skipped stitches.  

After trying many things, I discovered that my thread tension was too high. Immediately I dialed it down, the problem was solved.

Also, the looser your thread tension, the better your chances of avoiding both thread breakage and seam puckering. Tight tension will definitely lead to puckering.

Uneven Fabric Feed

When the top layer of the fabrics under your sewing machine needle are not being moved at the same rate as the bottom layers, you can develop seam puckering in your work.

The common solution for this is to use an even feed presser foot (walking foot). However, when you’re doing free motion stitching, you cannot use that kind of presser foot. 

What you can do, is to lay some material on the bed of your sewing machine to help you easily move the fabric around.  Check out what’s inside my thread sketching toolbox to see the tools I use for this purpose. Use the right tools, for the right results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this turned out to be a really long post. I hope it’s a useful one too.  There was so much good information I didn’t want to leave anything out. I hope you now have a lot of tools to work with when trying to solve seam puckering issues.  

If you’re inclined to do more reading on the subject, there’s a chapter on fabric distortion in this book – Guide to basic Garment Assembly for the Fashion Industry by Jayne Smith – that you might want to check out.

Your Turn

What are some of your frustrations with thread sketching? Do seam puckering and fabric draw-up rank high up on your list? Do share.

Warmest Regards,

Watch all the Thread Sketching  Videos and learn the Thread Sketching Tips & Techniques.