Thursday, January 22, 2009


Yesterday I started a little "practice" piece based on a technique that Larkin Van Horn talks about in this interview with Bonnie McCaffery.

I painted setacolors mixed with water onto a sheet of silk organza, then laid it over a piece of hand-dyed fabric. I added cotton batting and a piece of muslin for backing, then free-motion stitched like crazy. Unfortunately, I started with orange cotton thread and, 1/4 of the way through, ran out (doh!). I switched to variegated pink rayon thread, and actually liked that much better.

Once Larkin stitches a piece, she then beads it. I think I'll bead this, but first I may try adding a bit more color--maybe even a complimentary color for accent--with paints.

This was a GREAT exercise for practicing free-motion stitching. I'm not sure I needed to use my hand-dyed fabric for the base, since it doesn't really show that much; I think the color is the most important factor.

3 comments:

Alis Clair said...

I love the colours and the stitching on this piece. It will look lovely with beading on it.

Judy Sall Fiber Art said...

Yummy, Michele! And thanks for the tip on the book... I haven't actively painted in years, but recently took an on-line class that required acrylics... amazingly, my old ones from 20+ years ago still work!
Have fun, and take care of yourself.

Judy

Chriss Blagrave said...

Oh my! Your work is beautiful! I love this piece with the stitching. So much movement in it. You are truly gifted!