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How to Turn a Photo of Your Pet into a Thread Painting

comments (5) February 28th, 2009     

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JenniferStern Jennifer Stern, contributor
Love it! 16 users recommend
When you work on the outline detail, black might be too much, so try a really dark shade of the color palette youre working with instead.
Use a Sharpie marker to fill in some of the bald spots so your embroidery doesnt get too thick!
Be careful using the Sharpie marker around the edges—the color can bleed into the background fabric (like it did here). To fix this problem, Im going to thead-paint the entire background white and put the embroidery in a small oval frame to hang on the wall.
When you work on the outline detail, black might be too much, so try a really dark shade of the color palette youre working with instead.

When you work on the outline detail, black might be too much, so try a really dark shade of the color palette you're working with instead.

Photo: Jen Stern
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After you get all the detail colors stitched, use the main color to fill in the rest of the design.

Fill in around the light/dark with the main color
Don't worry if all your detail gets "washed away." The next step is to redefine the details with the darkest colors.

I used a dark red-brown and a darker black-brown to redefine and add shading to the face and eyes.

Use darker shades to define the details
Now the mauve nose looks like it's the right color.

To fill in some of the white fabric that's showing through the stitching, use a Sharpie marker of a similar color to blend it in. The embroidery will have a richer look to it, and you won't make the embroidery too heavy trying to fill in all the specks of fabric showing through.

Use a Sharpie Marker to fill in some of the bald spots
As I looked at this picture, it occurred to me that you can "color" in the white fabric before you free-motion stitch it. I think I'm going to color in the rest of the lower body before I fill it in!

 

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Comments (5)

Nackmine writes: This is so beautiful!!!!
I can see expression in your Dog's face. It is unbelievable.
I hope I can do half as well.
You have inspired me!
Thanks Angie
Posted: 4:50 pm on May 12th
BLANCHED writes: That was fantastic,really cool idea. And all the other comments and suggestions were great too.Lovely work.
Posted: 9:13 am on November 24th
SuzanandChelsea writes: I have been wanting to start free motion embroidery, your dog project inspired me. I like the idea of coloring the design first. Very well done.

Suzan
Posted: 9:57 am on May 30th
JenniferStern writes: Have you ever tried Holoshimmer thread from Sulky...it's a great alternative to traditional metallic thread. It's actually a sliver of holographic material that is more durable (breaks much less than metallic threads). Bonus Tip--if you're having problems with your metallic threads, use a vertical spool pin with a metallic needle and a little Sewers' Aid on the spool if you have any tension or breakage problems.
Posted: 9:46 am on February 28th
SewDanish writes: Free motion machine embroidery is SO much fun. It is so liberating :-) This is a great project, with a beautiful result. The colors are truely blended, which is the key to a great result. I like using the "top stitch" needles either #90 or 100 as the larger eye will accomedate metallic threads with out breaking it.
Birgitte
http://www.SewDanish.etsy.com
Scandinavian Textile Art, Unique Handmade Supplies

Posted: 2:52 am on February 28th
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