For some of the work I found it easier to try things on the full sized cloth or sample strips that could be placed on the cloth.
10.2.1 River Outlines
I inserted the river strips into the background cloth and frayed the edges. Overstitching on the rivers will be done later (see below).
I felt that the borders of the rivers needed to be more distinct, so experimented with rows of running stitches along the edge. I tried 2 rows and several colours, but eventually settled on one row in the deeper green colour (top river in second photo).
10.2.2 River Stitching
Following Sian’s feedback that I should consider richer stitching on the river surfaces, I tried machine stitching a number of colour and thread combinations on scraps of the painted fabric.
I found that the results were better when I used mostly using Perle 5 threads in the bobbin, as effect with the the normal machine threads seemed a bit weak against other elements of the piece.
The next photo shows the three best samples laid on the river outline to give an idea of how they would look on the larger piece. I am considering using two different combinations on the two rivers, possibly the centre one at the top and the sample on the right below.
10.2.3 Use of lettering
I had initially avoided this as I did not think my machining technique would be good enough. However I tried a couple of samples working the words Drought, Flood and Growth on two different coloured strips of polyester sheer fabric, using the soluble fabric Aquabond II as a stabiliser, and then stitching the strip to the piece. Note that neither sample is long enough to go the full width of the fabric and the stitching still needs to improve. This size was intention for these samples, but obviously they would run all the way across in the final piece. The first sample was on a blue/green sheer.
Although the idea was OK I thought the background colour was not strong enough and the lettering size was a bit small and squashed, so I tried a second sample using an apricot sheer, with larger letters and spaces, and sticking to Perle 5 threads in the bobbin. I think this reult was better, so after more practice to improve the machine embroidery technique I plan to produce a longer strip for the final piece. I am not sure at this stage whether to just have one strip in the middle or whether I will put another one at the top. I will decide this later. My husband has suggested that I use the word Thrive instead of Growth but I am not convinced about this.
Now that I have worked out a way of including the lettering I think this is preferable to the stitched strips I had proposed to incorporate previously.
10.2.4 Background Stitching
There was still quite a bit of empty space above and below the rivers. I thought that that some background stitching in a vertical style was needed to offset the horizontal lines. I decided to experiment with hand stitching for this as I thought I could produce better effects. First I experimented with Perle 5 thread but the effect was too heavy so I space dyed some stranded cotton in the colours that I had used to produce the background fabric. I then stitched some areas with patches of cretan stitch using a single strand, which seemed to be the most suitable weight, and then added a double row of running stitch in Perle 5 underneath. I thought this effect was pleasing and could be extended across the whole cloth, as it fits well with the background fabric and the inserts, but does not over power them. The mix of colours echoes the drought, flood & growth theme and is also reminiscent of grasses or crops growing around the rivers.
10.2.5 Final Plan
In my mind the final plan is to:
- stitch the rivers as per 10.2.2
- after more practice, produce and apply one or two sheer strips with the 3 key words
- add a lot of patches of background stitching to balance the bolder areas and reinforce the theme of drought, flood and growth.
- Add a backing of plain green fabric with a hanging pocket and cord.
