BEE EATER
FABRIC COLLAGE, THREAD PAINT AND INKTENSE PAINT
During the summer months, I often hear the very familiar sound of bee eaters around my home. Looking up, it is not unusual to see a flock of them flying high above my house. One seldom sees them perched on a branch for a rest so when I spotted one sitting on a fence in Delta Park, I was immediately inspired to create one in different mediums!
The technique that was used here, is fabric collage and thread paint and I decided to paint the background using Derwent Inktense paint blocks.
It is in the private collection of Mrs J Thatcher.
If you would like to create your own bee eater,
YOU WILL NEED
40 x 60cm bull denim or artists’ canvas
Two sheets of Loomtex batting 45 x 65cm
Backing 45 x 65cm
Scraps of interesting 100% cotton with small prints on
Machine embroidery threads to thread paint
Machine embroidery thread to quilt
Matching all-purpose thread
A reference picture of a bee-eater
A light box
A marking tool
A sewing machine of which the feed dogs can drop
Stitch and Tear stabiliser.
HOW TO GO ABOUT CREATING THE BEE EATER
Paint the background in a suitable colour Derwent Inktense paint and wait for it to dry. You want to choose a colour that is going to show off your bird so choose wisely!
Trace the picture of the bee eater on white paper and go over the lines with a black marker.
Use the light box to trace your design onto the bull denim using the turquoise marking pen.
Look at your reference picture and place the correct colour fabrics in the correct places.
Thread paint these in place on your machine. If you are using artists’ canvas, you will not need a stabiliser. For other fabrics, place a sheet of Stitch and Tear behind your work before you start thread painting.
Remove the stabiliser before the next step.
Once it is complete and you are happy with it, layer the quilt top, two layers of batting and backing and pin or use spray glue.
Quilt, using your favourite quilting design. I covered my background in pebbles but you can use any small design…you don’t want the quilting to overpower your bird! You should also choose a colour thread that will blend into the background (I didn’t do it in this quilt but you can see what I mean in the photo below)
Put a facing on and hand-sew it in place at the back.
Sew a hanging sleeve and a label on the back and remember, a quilt is not complete if it doesn’t have a label!
Enjoy your own bee eater!
If you are passionate about textiles and want to learn more about how to incorporate my innovative techniques into your work, follow me on Instagram @tillydeharde and Facebook, Tilly de Harde Fibre Artist & Teacher and visit my website www.tillydeharde.com & subscribe to my mailing list. You can also view my very informative videos on my Youtube channel. Please don’t forget to like and subscribe!