Bee Eater

FABRIC COLLAGE, THREAD PAINT AND INKTENSE PAINT

I was inspired to create this little colourful bird in different mediums. The technique that was used here is fabric collage and thread paint however, the background was painted with Derwent’s Inktense paint blocks. Pebble quilting covers the whole background. It is in the private collection of Mrs J. Thatcher.

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
Isacord machine embroidery threads to thread paint
Isacord 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

HOW TO GO ABOUT CREATING THE BEE EATER

Paint the background in a suitable colour Derwent Inktense paint and wait for it to dry.
Use the light box to trace your design onto the bull denim
Place the correct colour fabrics
Thread paint these in place on your machine
Layer quilt top, two layers of batting and backing
Quilt, using your favourite quilting design
Put a facing on and sew in place at the back
Sew a hanging sleeve and a label on the back

Enjoy your own bee eater!

GET IN TOUCH!

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. Please don’t forget to leave a comment in the comment box below!