Stitch The Sketch #7: Quick and Simple Thread Drawing

Quick and Simple Thread Drawing

In Episode 7 of Stitch The Sketch, I’m doing a quick and simple thread drawing. I want to show that you don’t need to spend hours doing tons of stitching nor do you need to be very good at drawing to be able to create a beautiful thread sketch. Stitch the Sketch is not only for those who can draw. So in this drawing I started off by using a reference photograph. I traced my photograph onto paper and then added some shading in a few places and finally traced it onto fabric. Here’s is the reference photograph. It reminds me of summer fun and walking barefoot on sandy beaches with sand between your toes.

Here’s my pencil sketch on paper

Here it is stitched on cotton

Here’s the video showing how I did this. Tips and techniques of how to put together a quick and simple thread drawing follows after the video. If the video does not appear, please click here.

Tips, Techniques and Tools

To create a quick and simple thread drawing you can start by tracing the outlines of a photograph onto fabric
Do more outline stitching rather than thread painting or shading.
Draw attention to your outlines by increasing the thread density in these areas. That is to say stitch over the outlines a couple of times to make them stand out.
Choose a focal point in your drawing and increase the contrast in this area.
Focus most of your limited shading in a quick and simple drawing around your focal point.

I hope these tips will encourage you to try out thread drawing for yourself. You don’t need to be great at drawing on paper to create a quick and simple thread drawing. Try it out and let me know how it’s going for you. I’m looking forward to answering your questions and to respond to your comments. Warmest Regards,