Hello!

I love to dye fabric, make thread pictures and quilt. I live in the Yukon on an acreage with my husband, 2 dogs and 34 fish. It's the 'good' life.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Truck Thread Painting

The colours on this truck have always bothered me. I thought it was done, but I did not bind it or put it in a frame, so I guess I knew it wasn't done. 

Before tweaking:



So today I played on my 'new' Bernina 830 (the old mechanical version). I just got it, my Bernina guy has serviced it to an excellent level, and I wanted to give it a whirl to see how it would do with free motion quilting. 

It worked GREAT!  What a super machine... I think I almost like it better than my Bernina 180 which is my Precious..

Anyway, here is the completed truck after tweaking:. 




I added some metal bits to the back of the cab to give the illusion of a truck box. The truck looked funny without some kind of junk back there. 

I added some orange and red fireweed as I thought the original colour was too brown. These really make the piece look more realistic, and I am happy with this look now. Fireweed in the height of summer is this tall and this red.

I also worked on the truck a bit to highlight some curves and extended the fender at the front left, and finally, I added some shading below the front fender. I could have done more, but I didn't want to overwork it. 




I still think this little evergreen tree is funny looking, but I left it. Some of the little trees do look funny.

Overall, I am pleased with this piece. I am going to send a picture to Sue Thomas Who kindly allowed me to use this picture. 

As you may see in the first photo, I called this piece Autumn at Snag Creek.  

Done! 


9 comments:

  1. Your thread painted truck is awesome !!

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I am slowly working through some half finished pieces. I'm really happy to have completed this one.

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  2. Love your painted truck. So beautiful and realistic looking.
    Bev

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    1. Hey Bev--how are things? Thanks for the comment. I really am glad this done..

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  3. Awesome work Dahn! Love the tweeaking... really glad you are posting again!

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    1. Praise from you is like getting an A from the teacher. Thanks for the comment. :-)

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  4. Hey Dahn, I love your truck thread painting. I found it on my facebook page, posted by a mutual friend, Sue Thomas. What a coincidence...I have been wanting to learn how to thread paint. I would love to take a class from you, but don't expect to come that far North anytime soon. Do you ever make it down to Washington or Oregon? Can you recommend any books on the technique from which I may learn more?

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    1. Gosh Holly, thanks for the comment! I emailed Sue when I finished this piece and I'm pleased she liked it enough to send to her friends--sometimes people don't really like the liberties you take, but that's OK too. I am by no means an accomplished thread painter, but I do enjoy learning and trying and practicing. As to coming to the northern US, I don't travel there as I have no family there.
      Some of my favorite intro to thread painting books are by Alison Holt. She has written 4 that I can think of. And she has a fabulous 3 hour workshop on DVD. I think if I were wanting to learn 'how to', I would get her DVD. Here is one place it is offered. Not cheap, but maybe a birthday or Christmas present?? http://www.dharmatrading.com/books/creative-machine-embroidery-dvd-with-alison-holt.html
      Also, you can watch a few minutes of the DVD here: http://vimeo.com/63927132

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    2. Thanx for the info...I just ordered the DVD by Alison Holt. I am really looking forward to exploring this art form. I sort of have in mind a plan of combining thread painting and turned edge applique in a future wall hanging....just a dream at this time.

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