My project for course: Experimental Embroidery Techniques on Paper

Thanks Gimena for an inspiring class! I've done embroidery on paper using self taught methods. Your class was very helpful in inspiring new ideas and in seeing how you constructed your work.

My project consists of original graphite drawings along with abstract shapes painted with black ink. I cut the shapes after painting, but in the future, I would cut the shapes before painting to assure that the edges of the motifs are painted. I glued the cut images onto craft paper using white glue applied section by section with a stiff paintbrush. I then glued the craft paper to a heavy weight black paper.

To design the embroidery, I used paper clips to hold a sheet of tracing paper over the collage, then tested several versions of the line work. The tracing paper allowed me to see how the embroidery interacted with the collage. To create the perforations, I punched the final design through the lines on the tracing paper. This allowed me to transfer my design without leaving marks on my collage.

In the past I used knots to hold my threads in place but I was never satisfied with the way the knots created bumps and interfered with the piece laying flat. Your method of taping the ends of the thread inspired me to rethink securing the threads. Instead of tape, I used white glue because it's more archival than tape.

I loved this course so much that I want to create more works. Thank you!