What is it about coloring that makes it so enjoyable long after we’ve passed through our childhood years? I began this project by using the QR code provided in the magazine sharing Ana’s apple design.
I copied the design onto PFD fabric using wax free tracing paper. Us old-schoolers will remember using this tracing paper to transfer pattern markings years ago when making clothes. It worked beautifully and comes in several different colors.
I chose to use charcoal colored thread to stitch out the design rather than black as I felt the contrast to be too strong. One of the challenges in stitching out the design was to do so without having to stop and start…to complete the piece without having to snip and bury any threads. (I almost made it!) Ana recommends using stencils to create quilt designs in the background. I dug into my drawer of stencils and was happy to find what could be considered an apple tree. I chose cream colored thread to stitch out the tree and triads of lines to soften the look and give it a bit more prominence.
Now for the scary part…painting the apple and leaves after all that stitching..it wasn’t going to paint itself! I tried all four techniques of painting on fabric with Inktense pencils and chose the method that I felt gave me the most control. One of the nicest attributes of Inktense pencils is that after the paint dries it offers you the opportunity to apply additional layers of color.
I’m happy with the leaves but feel the apple needs a bit more dimension. I plan to take an actual photo of an apple…posterize it to determine its light, shadows and depth of color…and then add those additional layers. Stay tuned!