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series 2400
InstructIons
Make the pattern1. Choose your pet photo (see “Start
with a Great Photo” for tips). Crop
the photo, centering the head, then
enlarge it to “fit to page” and print in
color. (figure 1)
2. Using a black fine tip marker, trace
the pet’s outline, the changes in
color and value, and the shadows
and highlights. Really look at the
photo as you draw and think about
making enclosed shapes as these
translate to pattern pieces cut in
fabric.
3. Take the tracing to a local print
shop and enlarge it to approximately
18" x 22" (or to the size you want
to work) and print it in black and
white. Add more details if required
especially around the eyes. This is
your pattern. (figure 2)
Note: You can create a “line only” pattern
if you prefer by tracing the marked lines
on a separate piece of paper.
Raw-edge Fabric Collage: Pet Portraitsby Jane Haworth
Sponsored by Bernina of America and eQuilter.com
Materials• Color photo of pet
• Fine tip permanent marker, black
• Lightweight interfacing
• Fabric for collage, background, and
backing
• Pencil or chalk marking tool
• Fabric glue with fine applicator
Host Susan Brubaker Knapp and quilt artist Jane Haworth
figure 1
figure 2
Start with a Great Photo
Choosing the right photo makes all the difference. Here are some tips I used for finding the best shot to make my quilt, “Tilly.”
• Focus: Use a photo with sharp focus for best results.
• Value: Contrast between the dark and light area of a pet’s face make the process easier. A black dog is much trickier but it can be done.
• Crop: Remove unnecessary background or body from the image and focus your portrait on the head.
• Angle: Profiles and turned heads make interesting compositions.
• Eyes: These are the focal point of the quilt and are important to get right.
Quilting Arts TVproject 2407-1
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series 2400
Create the collage1. Position the interfacing over the
image and lightly tape it down onto
the paper. As you work, everything
will be glued to the interfacing that
acts as a stabilizer.
2. Start with the eyes, and then move
to other areas. For the eyes, you will
be cutting and layering circles in a
variety of fabrics. I advise 2 colors in
the iris, a black pupil, a dark outline
around the eye, and a white or light
highlight. Choose your fabric and cut
it to a workable size. Place it over the
shape to be cut and, using a pencil or
chalk marking tool, trace the shape
onto the fabric. I do this by marking
a small line, then lifting the fabric
slightly to see the line below and
then marking the line on top. Cut out
this shape and put it in place. Repeat
with the remaining pieces in the eye.
(figure 3)
3. When you are happy with the layers
of the eye, glue them together (just a
small amount is required, as you will
later stitch over the pieces).
4. Continue to build the collage around
the eyes working toward the nose.
As you trace and cut larger areas,
remember these will tuck under other
shapes, so cut a small allowance on
1 side and then glue them together.
(figure 4)
figure 3
“Tilly” • 21" x 24"
figure 4
Fabulous Fabrics
For these pet portraits, exaggerating the contrast is key. Include dark, medium, and light fabrics. The more variety the better—solids, tone-on-tone, small prints, and batiks can all be used. Fussy-cut motifs can add unexpected fun.
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series 2400
5. Continue working on the ears
and finally the neck. Remember
that details such as whiskers and
eyelashes can be stitched later using
thread.
6. For the body, cut larger pieces and
then free cut details of the fur texture.
Layer these in a variety of colors.
When you are happy with the pieces,
glue them in place. (figure 5)
Tip: Taking photos as you go and looking
at the reduced image on your phone lets
you really “see” the composition.
7. When you are finished, check that
all the fabric is glued down so not to
get caught up when stitching.
Tip: The black-and-white photo is useful
for seeing where shading is needed. If you
get stuck, look to your darkest and lightest
areas and cut those. Then work back,
using pieces in medium values to create a
blended look.
Finishing1. Trim away the extra interfacing
and preview the portrait on
various background fabrics. Using
glue attach the portrait to the
background. (figure 6)
2. Layer the quilt top with batting and a
backing fabric. Press the 3 layers and
then baste. Prepare to free-motion
quilt the collage. For areas like the
eyes, nostrils, and snout, match the
thread and simply stitch around the
fabric shapes. For larger areas, use a
variegated thread to blend and add
color to the fur. For short hair the
stitch motion will be small, and for
long hair stitch use more sweeping
stitch patterns.
3. Free-motion quilt the background,
and then bind or face the edge to
complete the quilt.
janehaworth.com
figure 5
figure 6
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