across the highway before turning back. I
call these increments “the transition zone.”- Once you have stitched the length of
the practice panel, change threads and
repeat the process stitching from the
other side of the highway. (fi gure 3) - In the end, the 2 colors should blend
smoothly, softening or obscuring the
hard line down the center. (fi gure 4) I
used red and blue threads to make the
stitching more obvious, but when done
with threads of a similar color, the effect
is very subtle. Look now at the portrait
of Maya once thread painting has been
applied to the surface.
The varied width of the transition zone
will help prepare you for thread-painting
a portrait. Transition zones in a portrait
should be wider when the curves are gentle,
such as over a cheek or across a forehead.
They will be narrower when the curve is
sharper, such as over the nose, or around
the lips. As a face changes shape, some areas
fall out of the light. This shading is called
a form shadow because it is created by the
change in the form of the face. Adjust the
transition zones according to the sharpness
of the curve.
Practice this technique and apply it to your
next portrait project. See how softening
those hard lines can make your stitched
portraits more realistic.
want to know more?
See Lea demonstrate her
techniques on “Quilting
Arts TV” Series 1700.
Check your local PBS
listings, QNNtv.com, or
shop.quiltingdaily.com.Quilting Arts TVwith SUSAN BRUBAKER KNAPP
Series 1700 Episodes 1-13- Start at the side of the road and stitch
across 1 lane and back, then 2 lanes and
back, then 3 lanes and back, and fi nally
all 4 lanes and back. Continue this
process of running out and returning
to the side—placing each new line
of stitching next to the previous one.
(fi gure 2)
Note: Stagger the pivot points so they
do not fall in a straight line, or create a
discernable pattern. About 25% of the lines
should cross 1 lane and pivot somewhere
near the fi rst dashed line. Another 25% will
cross 2 lanes and pivot somewhere near the
center line, while 25% will cross the third
lane and pivot at or near the second dashed
line. The fi nal 25% will make it all the way
“Power is Knowledge” • 26" × 35"