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“Appliqué comes from the French word appliquer, meaning “to attach or apply”. I like to create appliqué portraits and still life pictures in a pared back style and particularly like to make pictures of sticks, jam jars and tools.

For this appliqué illustration you’ll create a picture of a stick, a paintbrush or similar object found around the home. I have shared my method but feel free to approach this challenge in your own way.”

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week five: Emily Jo Gibbs workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week five: Emily Jo Gibbs workbook5

Making an appliqué illustration

What you’ll need• A stick, old paintbrush or other similar item, preferably something

weathered or worn.

• General purpose scissors to cut out paper and fabric together (small and large sizes if you have them).

• Plain linen or cotton background fabric or an old fabric napkin.

• Appliqué fabrics such as recycled clothes or home linen, off-cuts from your stash, organza, cotton - whatever you have to hand.

• A selection of threads in different colours. Fine sewing threads are good but use single stranded embroidery cotton if that is what you have.

• Needles

• Sewing Pins

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TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week five: Emily Jo Gibbs workbook5

Look carefully at your object. Note the details, shadows, textured areas, weathering, changes in colour and lighting along the object. Make a drawing of the object. It’s worth having a go at this even if you think you can’t draw. If you are really stuck, try drawing around your object to create the outline.

The challenge1

Use this drawing to make a tracing (or you could photocopy or scan/print your drawing), to make template shapes of the object and its shadow. To trace, use tracing paper or kitchen greaseproof paper. Alternatively, hold the drawing up at a window and trace the outline onto a piece of standard paper.

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Pin your appliqué fabric and your templates together and cut out the shapes. If your appliqué fabric is translucent, put the template underneath. If it is a solid fabric, put the template on top.

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TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week five: Emily Jo Gibbs workbook5

Gently tack the fabric appliqué pieces to the background fabric, using a large stabbed running stitch to keep the appliqué section flat while you are working. This stitching will be removed later. You can use a hoop if you like. Then remove the pins.

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Looking carefully at your drawing, observe the dark shadows, highlights and any textured or coloured areas.

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Choose a selection of threads in similar colours and tones.

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TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week five: Emily Jo Gibbs workbook5

Stab stitch around the appliqué parts. Vary your thread colour as you go. Take the thread from the back, up beside the appliqué piece and then down through it.

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Observe the object and your drawing as a reference while you work. Vary the stitch size, gaps between stitches or run a second line of stitching alongside. Finish your stitches on the back of your work. Then remove the tacking stitches.

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Stitch any coloured or textured areas of detail, such as green lichen, peeling bark or a worn paint brush handle. You can use some decorative stitches if you like. Keep it simple and minimal to let the appliqué sections take centre stage.

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Notes

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week five: Emily Jo Gibbs workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge

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Week five: Emily Jo Gibbs workbook

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5Notes

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week five: Emily Jo Gibbs workbook

Week five: Emily Jo Gibbs workbook