August 29, 2018

Playing with color


My color pencils have been calling me.  I pulled a few of them out of their dusty storage box and started playing around on fabric.  Combining a touch of color to an embroidery piece is reminiscent of those old time tea towels.  There is something comforting in the soft, storybook, look.
This was my first attempt and won't be my last!  I thought I would share how I went about it.  I would love to hear your tips and tricks for using colored pencil of fabric!



1. I copied my embroidery (with the design reversed) onto the paper side of freezer paper.
Then I ironed the wax side of the freezer paper to the back of my fabric.
 I printed the design on my inkjet printer but it can also be traced, just don't use a laser printer.



2.  Using a lightbox, I traced the design onto the fabric.  The freezer paper stabilized the fabric and makes tracing super easy.
I like to use the Pilot FriXion pen for tracing.  The lines disappear with the heat of an iron.


3. With the freezer paper still on the back of the fabric I used Prismacolor colored pencils to fill in the areas I wanted colored.  I started off with a dull point on the pencil and I used a light touch and gradually filled the areas in.


4. Next I removed the freezer paper and using 1 strand of Sulky 12wt black thread I embroidered the design.  I found that the color faded quite a bit with handling while stitching.  I still like it, but it seems a bit too washed out.


5. I decided to add more color.  FIRST I ironed the freezer paper back onto the wrong side of the fabric.  This is really important and helpful for me.  When coloring after stitching it works best to point your pencil toward the stitching.  

6. I think the added color really made a big difference.  For the nest I made marks rather than a smooth filled in look.  That worked well with the feel of the nest.  I also added some brown marks on the eggs to give them some character.

7. With a small paint brush I applied a small amount of Medium to the areas that were colored in.  Let this try thoroughly.  Follow this up with a dry, hot iron and it's set!


This little design is one that I created for my One Stitch at a Time monthly embroidery club.  On the 1st of every month members receive a new design by email and someone in the club wins a SUPER DUPER GIVE AWAY just for being a member!  The designs are usually around 4" - 6" in size.  There isn't a beginning and end to this club so join anytime!  Past designs are also available for purchase separately.  If you would like more information please visit my website (for those in the US) HERE.  If you live outside of the US please visit my Etsy shop HERE.

Happy Stitching!
Kathy


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13 comments:

WoolenSails said...

I like the look of using colored pencils, never thought to use the freezer paper to make it easier to color.

Debbie

Annelein said...

With or without the colouring... I just love all your designs...

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

I haven't used freezer paper for coloring either or for marking designs. I will have to try it.

Kathy Schmitz said...

Thank you so
Much!

Bits of Stitching! said...

How nice to see a blog update!!! Your color tinted nest turned out lovely, thanks for sharing the process! Few years ago I tried crayon tinting with embroidery and did like the results. It does enhance the look of the stitchery.
PS: I'm a few stitches away from finishing the August One Stitch at a Time design. The September designed (so super cute by the way!) is ready for me to begin stitching it on a kitchen towel.

Raman Raman said...

I like your blog very much..The new Omni thread is good so far. Love the colour selection...
I tried Magnifico last night in my embroidery machine and it was a wonderful thread to work with. No breaks at all!Thanks for sharing these valuable information.

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Embroidered said...

Your work is so creative and innovative. Thank you so much for sharing this kind of post with us. Keep sharing more ideas with us.

aaavacuumandsewingmedia said...

Thanks for sharing that information with us really informative... Keep posting and I'm waiting for your upcoming response...Thanks

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Custom embroidery said...

Lovely, love this blog post, really awesome designs you had shown here. One will fall in love with this stuff.

Julia C said...

After applying the Medium and ironing the pencil colored embroidered design, is it safe to wash or will it wash/fade away?

Julia Robert said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zoe said...

With or without the colouring... I just love all your designs...
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