Sunday, July 12, 2009

July Challenge

This months challenge is wings. So I decided to make my first dragonfly. I decided to make my wings out of angelina fibers. I cut a piece of fusible web and then sprinkled the angelina fibers over the fusible web. Then placed parchment paper over the angelina(I also had parchment paper under the fusible web to keep it from sticking to my ironing board)and heated it with an iron. Then I pulled it from the parchment paper and folded the fibers with the fusible web side together and pressed with the iron again. Then I placed the angelina fibers in the hoop. I cut four pieces of 28 guage unwrapped wire to 4 3/4 inches. Then shaped the wire in the form of a wing. I placed the wire on the angelina fiber and began to do an overcast stitch.

Here I have all four wings ready to cut out.I used a metallic thread using the feather stitch to fill in the wings. Cut the wings out as close to the stitching as possible without clipping the threads.
Then I started making the body. I took two strands of cotton thread for the stumpwork part of the dragonfly. I couched this thread with the color I wanted to use for the body. The threads you use for the couching will the thread you use to do a raised stem band. Once you have couched you come back up to the front and just like making a stem stitch, with the exception of putting the needle through the fabric, you put the needle through the couching and continue without piercing the cotton thread or the fabric. At the end you will go down and come back up to the starting point and do it again till you get it filled in.

Here I'm getting to the finishing point.
You exit through the same hole no matter how many rounds you make filling this in. Then you will couch again inbetween where you had couched previously.
Now I am fixing to put in the wings. Using a darning needle for the guide to puncture the hole you need to insert the wire.
Here the first wings have been added. You will bend the wire back and stitch it in place then clip the remaining wire with wire clippers.
And now the second set of wings have been added.
The thorax was made with some kind of specialty threads I have accumulated. Couldn't tell you what kind it is. But it is just straight stitches.
Then I added a bead for the head.

Two small seed beads for the eyes. And I wasn't happy with the body, I thought it was to small so I added some more to make it thicker. Here you see I have couched the cotton thread.
Filling it with the raised stem band.

And added the legs and here is my dragonfly. I am very happy with her,,,there will definately be more of these in my future.I have all kinds of different colors of angelina fibers.

23 comments:

CarolynPhi said...

Thelma, your dragonfly is exquisite!!! Your directions are great!!! I've never used Angelina Fiber but I may have to try this!! The feather stitching on the wings couldn't be any more perfect!!! You have a winner with this one!

Carolyn
Born in Fort Smith Arkansas!

Pat Winter Gatherings said...

Thelma, your DF is wonderful and the tutorial will help so many who fear Stumpwork. I must post it on my blog for all to see.
Smiles,
Pat

Love to Stitch 99 said...

Hi Thelma,

Your dragonfly looks very good. I have some Angelina fiber at home but have not used it so far, perhaps I will try this :-)

Pierrette =^..^=

Gerry said...

Thelma, this is awesome! Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much for posting. I will definately try this.

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Fabulously beautiful! What an amazing project! Thank you for sharing!

pam said...

lovely dragonfly Pat...very lovely.
What a ''truthful'' and clear tuition too,understood so clearly, was described(like having you beside us)THANK YOU Pat.
Had never thought myself to double over the Angelina sheet...of course makes so much sense to do.
Will have a try at this.
You are a good inspiration to us all.
Hugs Pam Uk

Saucy Chick Sherry said...

Your Angelina Fiber Dragonfly is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your technique.

Phyllis said...

Hello Thelma,

I found you through Pat Winter's site. Thanks so much for teaching us how to make a gorgeous dragonfly!!!

Pat @ My Tattered Elegance said...

Pat Winter directed me here, and your dragonfly is gorgeous! I'ts the best on I've ever seen hand done. The workmanship is perfect. I think you need a gold ribbon on this project.
Smiles,
Pat

*jean* said...

i am visiting from pat's blog and thank you for sharing this!! this is gorgeous and i could also adapt to my paper art....

MOMENTS Designs said...

Thelma, your dragonfly is Beautiful!!!
Thank you for sharing how you made him. Now it looks like I will have to gets some Angelika ...I will tell my DH it is your fault :-)
Liz

Judy S. said...

What a beautiful little critter! It looks quite real. Thanks for the great directions. I am happy to have discovered your blog.

Moonsilk Stitches said...

Thanks for the the wonderful tutorial. The dragonfly is lovely.

Judith said...

Dear Thelma, how kind to post this tutorial. I am going to try this week.I have several projects that need wings.I have put your Blog on my list.

Wildflowerhouse said...

Thank you so much for the great lesson. Sharon

Maggie R said...

Thelma..
Terrific tutorial....Thanks so much..
I am off to try one....tra~la~la~la.
xoxo
((((hugs))))
Maggie

Andrea said...

Oh Thelma your dragonfly is lovely what a neat idea using angelina fiber. I love angelina fiber and have used it to its great for all sorts of projects.
Hugs and smiles
Andrea

Anonymous said...

Hi Thelma--I haven't used the Angelina fibers, and now you've made it so easy for me. The dragonfly is wonderful, as is the tute! Lynn in SoCal

Skye said...

GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!!!! Wow, Thelma, I'm so impressed...Thank you so much for the tutorial...hugs, Skye

Karen said...

Wow, are you ever clever Thelma your dragon fly is just beautiful, she's perfect.

allie aller said...

This is an absolutely terrific tutorial, Thelma!! I would just love to try this myself, and soon!

Ati said...

Fantastic Thelma. Thanks for the tutorial, it will help many , included me!

Kathy Raker said...

Great tutorial, and the dragon fly is beautiful.