OK, I promise this is the last time I'll go on about the unusual applique technique of overstitching the entire piece of appliqueed fabric! I wanted to see if the technique could be used to enhance the appearance of a more arty piece, so I used it with a drawing I‘d made of a rabbit curled up in a burrow. This was going to be a piece for an exhibition, so it had to be complex and “painterly” rather than simply decorative, and after some thought I decided to paint the appliqueed fabric in the shape of the rabbit rather than depend just on the stitching to give detail and form. Here’s the painted fabric for the appliqueed rabbit.
The painted fabric to appliqué onto the background
It’s just a rough rabbity shape, and not very detailed, because I couldn’t count on being able to place the fabric on the background fabric with very much accuracy. After that it was just a matter of digitising the rabbit shape and the three layers of the burrow. Here’s the final result
Rabbit in his burrow
The three burrow layers are made of painted fabric, entirely overstitched, and there is also a lot of overstitching on the rabbit, which combines with the painted fabric to give a nicely complicated feeling
One thing I like about this is that nobody can figure out how it’s done! The painters can see that it’s not really a painting and the textile artists can see that it’s not really an embroidery, but so far nobody has put their finger on the method. And I also like the fact that people can’t see at first exactly what it is – they have to get close and look, and then they say “Oh! It’s a rabbit!”
OK, next time I’ll get back to some more conventional and decorative designs, I promise!
I really love the painted fabric for the appliqued rabbit. And the slightly spiraled waves of stitching for the burrow are really interesting, too. Thanks for sharing your process, and I hope it garners much attention at the exhibit!
Posted by: Lisa Cox | 07/17/2015 at 07:19 AM
This is amazing! You should do more of a similar nature and have a show. You've hit on something unique which is highly prized in the art world. Congratulations!
Posted by: Ceil | 07/17/2015 at 03:20 PM
This is a charming rabbit. It is a clever technique. I am enjoying looking at the design and wondering how you did it! Thanks for showing it!
Posted by: Linda Hudson | 07/17/2015 at 03:33 PM
Love your rabbit. He looks so lonely in his burrow. You've captured him perfectly. I think your new technique has a lot to say. You are a true artist, whether in painting on canvas (material) or embroidery. You are inspiring to all of us. Keep it up.
Posted by: ram bou | 07/17/2015 at 04:29 PM
Mia, one again you have out done yourself! Love, love, love your unconventional way of creating art! I have a rescued rabbit. This is so comforting to me. It makes me feel like the rabbit is warm secure and happy being protected. I am going to try to do this and pass a small wall quilt along to my rescue group who once a month travels to different pet stores to educated, inspire and hopefully get people to adopt love and care for a bunny. Thank you so much!
Posted by: Deena | 07/25/2015 at 04:35 PM
I was born in the Chinese year of the Rabbit and am drawn to artistic depictions of them. Your embroidery is extraordinary. The bunny looks safe and cozy in its burrow but the eye says more--rabbit is alert and present. Surrounded by womb-like layers that protect and focus. Also calls to mind the book Watership Down. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Ginny | 07/27/2015 at 12:41 PM