Description
Thread-painting gives you the freedom to make a very realistic, tapestry-like image entirely with thread, using a free motion zigzag and straight-stitching.
Starting with your own good-quality photo), we will explore ways to create color combinations and textures to transform it into a realistic 8 ½” x 11” thread painting. Great topics include pets, flowers, landscapes, seascapes. No human faces, please. You will be amazed by what you can do!
Important Note: students are asked to send me their proposed photo two weeks ahead of time for approval, possible editing, and printing.
Kit fee $30 required, it includes:
- Review and editing of photograph you send me no later than two weeks ahead of class
- two 8 ½” x 11” color copies of your photograph, for in-class exercises
- your photograph printed in color and made into an 8 ½” x 11” prepared quilting sandwich
- a plain 8 ½” x 11” quilting sandwich to use for in-class exercises
- handout (about 9 pages) detailing exercises and thread painting process.
Betsy Habich
An early fabric-holic, I made friends with my mom’s sewing machine in grade school, learned batik and tie-dye in high school, and made most of my own clothes from junior high through grad school. My quilting life began in high school, and after a long pause, resumed about 25 years ago. I love thread painting for the photorealism it allows, pieced picture quilts because it lets me see fabric differently, and improv just because (ssh!)
I have been teaching at guilds around the New England for the past 15 years, as well as at Road2California, Connections Quilt Festival, and Fiber College of Maine. My work has been awarded at regional quilt shows including the Vermont Quilt Festival, The Gathering, and Machine Quilters Expo (MQX), and juried into national and regional shows, including International Quilt Association (IQA/Houston), American Quilters Society (AQS/Paducah). I live with my husband, three cats, and a happy studio full of fabric and thread in Beverly Farms, MA. I love the moment when my students ‘get it’ and start to fly on their own!
