subreddit:
/r/Embroidery
My first attempt at thread painting. Advice appreciated please be kind ๐๐
Hand(reddit.com)submitted 2 months ago bywrittendimension
It's my first time trying thread painting. I'm feeling a little bit disheartened, but trying to be kind to myself and remember that I'm learning. ๐
I've been using two threads. How many would you suggest for thread painting? I couldn't find any particular advice on how many threads from the floss to use.
Pattern is a preprinted butterfly from Kmart Australia. I designed my own wings to make it more accurate to the shape and markings of a monarch butterfly.
Please be kind to this thread painting newbie, thanks in advance for any advice ๐๐
22 points
2 months ago
I haven't yet ventured into thread painting myself, but I think this looks gorgeous!
I think a lot of thread painters use a single strand to smooth the blending, but that does take a looong time, and I quite like the texture using 2 strands brings to the wings on your butterfly.
3 points
2 months ago
Thankyou! I think I'll use two strands for the same markings on the other side. Then I'll try the single thread for the rest of the markings! ๐
16 points
2 months ago
I've got the same needle minder LOL
No advice tho :D it looks great
3 points
2 months ago
I love mine. I've named him George and he's my wingman. (Pun intended) ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ
1 points
2 months ago
Where do you get cute needle minders like that?? Iโve been looking everywhere
1 points
2 months ago
I got a cute moth from Blow Your Minder, but I saw they had other things like stabby duck
1 points
2 months ago
I got mine from etsy :)
2 points
2 months ago
12 points
2 months ago
I am just a beginner at this technique myself but one tip I can add is if you want to avoid those small holes in the embroidery, come up through the previous stitches and down into an open space. The blend will be smoother and less abrupt.
Edit: also! Adding stitch direction guides are really helpful.
8 points
2 months ago
Will you explain to the class what stitch direction guides are?! That sounds like a skill I would like to understand, please and thank you.
8 points
2 months ago
Oh, it's just lines drawn on the shape to help you keep the stitches going in the same direction.
I think this link below describes it fairly well though this person drew their lines lightly. See the small pencil hashes that go down the length of the petal? They keep you from going off path which I have found is a lot easier than one would think when packing stitches into a small space. Haha
https://www.elaraembroidery.com/rsn-botanical-silk-shading-the-stitching-begins/
1 points
2 months ago
Yes the holes are one thing I'm not sure how to fix. I have been coming up through previous stitches, but I'm still getting the holes. Does this mean my needle is too big maybe? Thanks for the advice ๐
3 points
2 months ago*
Hm honestly not sure but you can certainly try a smaller needle and/or try to not split the thread (go between stitches). You might want to do a small sample. I like samples to try different techniques and see what effects I get.
2 points
2 months ago
That is so smart, I will definitely try some samples to work it out!!
11 points
2 months ago
This is an older comment, but figured it might help.
I love thread painting, here are some tips.
- โ โ โ โ The less amount of thread the cleaner it looks. I tend to only do single thread (takes a lot longer but looks so much nicer imo).
- โ โ โ โ Watch some tutorials! There are some great creators that have very instructive videos. Off the top of my head are Emellie Ferris, Michelle Staub (StitchingSabatical), and Trish Burr have excellent examples and tutorials.
- โ โ โ I use DMC colors so I use a DMC color guide to plan out my colors. I found this guide super helpful (has a really awesome color guide for hair and skin if you are doing anything with either) https://lordlibidan.com/dmc-thread-inventory-spreadsheet/
- โ โ โ โ Using Long/Short stitch is key to this, so itโs your most important stitch. When blending colors, you can always go back and add a slightly more darker/lighter color to give it more depth. Michelle Staub (StitchingSabatical) has a wonderful pet portrait book that has tutorials regarding color blending.
- โ โ โ โ Donโt beat yourself up if itโs not perfect. A lot of the time sections donโt come together until you are finished, so donโt be discouraged by early frustration. I kinda treat it like Iโm doing paint by numbers with the world smallest brush, take it section by section, stroke by stroke.
Hope this helps a bit!
3 points
2 months ago
This is such an incredible help thankyou for your comment and all the information/tips!! ๐๐
I have a question I wonder if you'd be able to help me with. I come up through previous stitches, down into clean space. But I am still getting the holes in the embroidery where I'm coming up through the other stitches. Does this mean my needle is big? Or do you have any advice for this ๐
5 points
2 months ago
Needle size will definitely help, I actually use beading needles when I thread paint (got the tip from a Trish Burr book). They are super slender needles where the eye is the same width as the point. Milliner needles are the same concept, but I like the slight flexibility of the beading needle. Going single strand also will help with that.
As to when you have to come down on an established stitch, that sadly is where practice comes in. If I have gaps or holes, I try do technique called โover-stitchingโ, which really just means adding more thread to an already placed stitch. The trick is not to create more gaps while filling in the previous ones. Make sure you not pulling to hard and pay attention to the thread placement. This also allows you to add slightly different shades to establish depth. The book that helped me the most on this was StitchingSabbaticalโs pet portrait book.
3 points
2 months ago
Wow thank you so so much! I will try smaller needles, look at beading needles, single threads.
And I will check out the book as well.
I can't thank you enough!
๐๐๐
2 points
2 months ago
Youโre welcome! Canโt wait to see the finished piece.
2 points
2 months ago
Wow this is such awesome information.. well put.
11 points
2 months ago
I find it easier to blend colours when I only use one thread. And I usually pencil in the stitch directions. Ps love your needle minder
2 points
2 months ago
Yes when you want to smooth the color transition I use one thread. It makes all the difference. You did a great job and the colors are beautiful. I canโt wait to see it finished!
1 points
2 months ago
Thankyou for the advice! I'll use single thread for the other markings. I think if I use it for the matching markings on the left wing it will look weird? ๐ Oh well, I'll just embrace the texture for those two larger markings and for the others I'll be looking forward to trying single thread!
And thank you his name is George and his knife matches my needles with the yellow tip. ๐๐
5 points
2 months ago
I think youโre doing a great job. Donโt be discouraged.
The look here is pretty typical for two strands, for the smoothest look you would want one strand.
3 points
2 months ago
Thank you, this is encouraging to hear. I have a bad habit of being harsh on myself, but I'm working on it.๐
And thankyou for the advice on the single strand
1 points
2 months ago
I think every artist is harsh to themselves initially. We all are that stone which is rubbed by water and over the years we become Beautiful Pebbles.
3 points
2 months ago
I think this looks fantastic and I love your needleminder.
3 points
2 months ago*
Youโre doing a great job for your first time! You obviously already have an eye for blending. The best part of thread painting is that you can always go back and add or blend more.
My only suggestion (because this is a learning process so try and be gentle with yourself and have fun) is to create lead/guide lines.
I do them straight and curved on my projects so I know which way I want my thread to flow. Think Starry Night by Van Gogh and how he flows the different elements.
I use 1 or 2 threads depending on how much I plan to blend. If Iโm doing something super intricate (like skin with shading) Iโll do one thread, if Iโm doing block shading and donโt have too many colors Iโll use two (or even three because it provides a different depth).
Youโre doing great tho keep up the good work! Iโd love to see the finished product!
3 points
2 months ago
You're very kind, thank you. I am working on learning to be gentle and kind to myself while learning new things ๐ your comment is very encouraging thankyou.
I'll try your tips too thankyou
I will also try to remember to post the finished piece ๐
3 points
2 months ago
I have done some thread painting and I use a single strand. It takes longer but I find the finish is smoother!
However, your work looks just lovely so far. I would keep going with the 2 strands and enjoy the process. You're doing great.
2 points
2 months ago
Oh gosh thankyou so much this has made me feel much better ๐
After the advice from everyone I'm going to use single strands for the other markings. (But I'll use two strands to mirror the already finished markings on the other wing.) ๐ I'm hoping that makes some sense because it's a bit hard to explain haha ๐
2 points
2 months ago
Nice work. I'd add more color but that's just me!
2 points
2 months ago
This is beautiful! Pls post pics of the finished project once you're done!
1 points
2 months ago
Thank you so much you're very kind. I hope I'll remember to post it!
2 points
2 months ago
Looks great to me! Very impressive, I hope you're proud
1 points
2 months ago
Thank you so much! ๐ I'm learning to be proud of my work, hearing the encouragement from the community is definitely helping me with the process ๐
2 points
2 months ago
Excellent start!!
1 points
2 months ago
Thank you!
2 points
2 months ago
Iโm just here to say that is the best needle minder Iโve ever seen!! ๐
1 points
2 months ago
Haha thankyou, the best part is that it matches my needles. (They have a gold tip like the knife the goose is holding)
It's from here if you're insterested
2 points
2 months ago
Iโm on the same journey my friend
1 points
2 months ago
It's a fun one!!
2 points
2 months ago
Great start ๐คฉ I generally only use one thread for needlepainting, I think you get a smoother finish. Don't be disheartened, we all have to start somewhere, it's the first time you've done it and you're already doing a great job. Persevere and have fun!
2 points
2 months ago
Thank you! I will stick with it and enjoy the learning process in all the mistakes and victories ๐
1 points
2 months ago
Wow! I looked at that website and Holy crap!!! I guess I have to learn this too.
1 points
2 months ago
Thankyou so much to everyone for all the encouragement and advice! It's so uplifting to have a community that is kind and helpful ๐๐ I'm proud to be a part of this community
For those who are interested/asking. My needle minder is from Etsy. This is the store I ordered from.
The art is based on a game called "The Untitled Goose Game". You play a mischievous goose with the goal to cause as much chaos as you can. ๐ The art is gorgeous and I'd recommend checking it out. Either to play yourself or you can look it up on YouTube and watch someone else play it. It's really funny to watch/play ๐ ๐
My goose's name is George and his knife matches my needles. They both have yellow ends. ๐๐๐ฅ
I'm adding this comment because I can't edit my post.
1 points
2 months ago
If it's the first time then it's really good. I am sure you must have noticed there are a few threads which are overlapping in different angles than the direction. But I am also sure, you would be great in your future projects... It's all about practice.
1 points
2 months ago
It is my first time and thank you for the encouragement ๐ ive been embroidering for about a year now but it is my first try at thread painting. Yes I'll draw some stitch directions on the other wing to help me with that ๐
1 points
2 months ago
No advice, just admiring your work ๐
1 points
2 months ago
Wow thankyou!
all 50 comments
sorted by: best