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