by Sandra | December 8th, 2009
Creating a “black” bird that doesn’t look flat is a bit tricky. This is a good example for a study in how to use value in order to bring life to applique. The fabrics I originally chose and thought would work fabulously, didn’t. This is not unusual by the way.
These are the fabrics that made the cut. Look at them carefully to see how the pattern in these creates highlights and shadow plus hint at “feathers”.
Notice how the trees look like rippling feathers?
A darker value than "A", but still has that hint of feathers
The pattern has great lines within the proper scale, plus it adds a touch of blue adding more interest and depth to the bird
See the feathers in a smaller pattern? This is the darkest other than the pure black and the scale of the print is perfect for the head feathers.
So now you have seen the fabrics (there was also a pure black for the most underneath feathers), here is how they were used to complete the Crow:
Embroidery details used:
- body of the bird – stem stitch (1) strand DMC floss
- head feathers– straight stitch (1) sewing weight thread
- beak– first layer= straight stitch (2) DMC floss + (1) darker color sewing weight thread
- beak– second layer= turkey stitch (1) DMC floss and then trimmed short.
- eye center highlight- straight stitches (1) DMC floss
- eye outer rim- stem stitch (1) sewing weight thread
- Legs- Satin stitch (3) DMC floss
I “brightened” the image so you could see more of the fabric’s detail that you can’t see in the other photo.
One thing I do caution when creating birds is to avoid what I call the “Frankenstein effect”. This is where the bird is broken down into lots of pieces to applique. You do NOT need to applique each individual feather, it will only look cobbled together like a bad plastic surgery job. Let the fabric choices do that work for you. Then use the embroidery to further imply more detail. Your bird will look more realistic and less like road kill sewn back together. Scale always will dictate how much, or little, you need to break things down.
One more thing, do you notice how the satin stitching of the legs creates its own shading? If I had appliqued the legs (ugh), they would have looked flat and absorbed the light. By satin stitching, the floss thread reflects light creating a more realistic effect. Don’t do applique gymnastics just to prove how good you are, keep it appropriate to the design needs.
all contents ©2009 Sandra Leichner all rights reserved
Sandra,
I’ve been holding my breath waiting for Mr. Crow. He is beautiful! Thank you for teaching us about fabric choices and when to use embroidery to convey an image. You are opening new worlds to us!
Your son is going to be delighted with this! Has he seen it? Does he know you’re making it for him?
That bird is just Great ! I love how you make every bird look so much different . I wouldn’t have expected a black bird to have so much character . You’ve done it again !! working your magic !!
I can’t wait to see the rest of the applique and the quilting .
Your talent goes way beyond the art of applique . Your art is amazing !
how did you get the fabric on the feet to look like that ?
the dark lines seems to curve , just the right way on the legs and toes ????
WOW! That bird is absolutely amazing. I love getting to watch you work. It is so inspiring.
Melanie,
Jason knows all about his pumpkin quilt and has to approve every step of the applique. He is very particular and so far he likes what I have done–Thank goodness! LOL
Hey Boop,
It is interesting how these birds almost develop individual personalities. Because the legs and feet are embroidered, the thread does the work of catching the light and adding the dimension. I don’t have to do anything extra. Satin stitching some parts (the really small bits) work better satin stitched than appliqued because if this.
Gini, I am so glad you are enjoying it. It is fun for me to share since I am so used to working in my own bubble.
The pumpkin was good, the detail of the leaf too ……. but everything about the bird is perfect!
And your last sentence is one I just may find myself using in a class one day. (I might not get the words exactly right, but hopefully the message will be the same)
Judy B
The entire leg and toes are satin stitched ?
BTW this tutorial is Great !! You are so kind to take the time to show us such great detail !
Thanks
The crow is a work of art!!!! He is beyond my wildest expectations, thank you for the tutorial. The satin stitching on the legs is amazing, what thread did you use? How many strands? Your embroidery details are truly beautiful, I wish I could achieve that perfect satin stitch. You inspire me to keep trying.
Thank you SO much for that class – I’m very impressed! the crow in a work of art!! You are definitely an applique goddess!
Hey Judy spread the gospel and create converts! LOL
When oogling those great bird legs, I noticed the ridged pumpkin stem. More fabric magic?
Yes Boop, satin stitched. I could have appliqued them, but I just don’t think in this case, it would have done anything better other than send the message of how tiny I can applique. I have never been one to do something for bragging rights. It is silly.
Holly I positioned the freezer paper template so that “highlight” or top of the stem lied perfectly on the batik’s coloring. This absolutely perfect coloring does not happen often, but when it does, whooo hoooo. I was able to eliminate the need for appliqueing that top piece, which to me would have been visually disturbing becuase of the ridge created by the turned under edges. (Frankenstein)
There is a pencil mark for the embroidery line where the main stem meets the top so that is creating more of a visual line as a fluke in the pic. I will use sewing weight thread to embroider that line later.
Denise,
Yeeeeeess, I have inspired you to try, that is my whole motive behind this blog. I hope I am taking the “mystery” out of creating this style of applique quilt!
The legs were satin stitched with regular DMC cotton floss and I used 3 strands.
Do you use all 3 strands together for the leg? I can see dark lines, so I wondered if you are using shades of grey and then a black. OMG those talons! I am so jealous about the gorgeous black fabrics, I cannot find anything as beautiful in my searches. You are certainly taking the mystery out, but how I wish I could see your work in person.
Yes Denise All three strands are threaded in the needle. I used just one color of thread and let the light and sheen fool the eye to think there is more.
I’ve been so busy admiring your crow that I just noticed that your copyright label is not on the picture.
Sara, Thanks for looking out for me and my designs.
I noticed I overlooked that, but my second safeguard is in place. My electronic date signature and the copyright notice at the end of the post.
I was so excited to get the crow up that I overlooked the watermark copyright. Do you know how much I hate to have to do that??
The legs are so… REAL. I can’t believe that you used just three strands of DMC, all the same color, for them – I can see shading values from the top of his adorable, clawed toes, to the bottom, and there ARE black striations up the legs… how did you DO that?! I think there must be at least one other trick up your sleeve here! I’m also thinking that if I can get to Asilomar, I’d be happy just picking up your embroidery help! (Is there one specific book on embroidery stitches that you can recommend?)
I saw a crow today – first time I seriously looked at one. He looked just like yours. I gave him a smile – he looked so familiar
Michele, I would love to have you in my workshop at Asilomar! Oh the things you will see!
I prefer multi-day workshops because they are great for individual attention and the differing needs of students that just can’t be done in a one day 6-hour class. It is far more beneficial to the student too. You will get a lot more out of it.
The black you see was just a small straight stitch (single strand) across the leg 1/4 or halfway horizontally.
The BEST book for an embroidery stitch dictionary is Judith Baker Montano’s “Elegant Stitches”. It is small, wire bound for easy use and laying falt while stitching. Mine is worn and I even bought a back-up copy in case something unforseen should happen to the original.
My second recommendation would be “A-Z of Embroidery Stitches” by Country Bumpkin publications.
Sara,
One of the comments I get a lot is “You made it so I can never look at quilts the same way again”. Maybe this is true for everyday things too? LOL
Sandra,
Outstanding work, imagination and execution! You are generous to share your details and ideas with all of us wanna-be artists. I am anxiously awaiting your publications. A friend recommended your blog for inspiration and I have found so much more. Thank you, thank you.
Thank you Chris and you are most welcome, I am glad you found inspiration!