Warm-up exercise
Stitching is easier using gripping gloves
so you can use your fi ngertips to slide the
practice panel under the needle. In addition,
a free-motion machine mat placed on the
machine bed will reduce friction between
the machine and practice panel.- Draw a couple of simple shapes on a
muslin practice panel. - Stitch smooth lines side by side, back
and forth, to fi ll the space. Practice
this style of stitching until you are
comfortable with the process.
TIP: Th read painting requires many lines of
stitching placed side by side. It can be tempting
to scribble or stitch in a willy-nilly fashion. Resist
that urge! Such random stitching creates areas
fi gure 1 fi gure 2
fi gure 3 fi gure 4
DIRECTIONS
Prepare materials
- Cut pieces of ultra-fi rm stabilizer into
rectangles approximately 3"–4" wide by
5"–6" long. - Cut plain pieces of white muslin to the
same size. - Fuse the muslin to the stabilizer,
following the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Note: This size allows you to practice easily
on your domestic machine. The stiffness of
the stabilizer allows you to work without
a hoop or need to grab at the edges; your
focus can be solely on the stitched lines.