I hope it’s dark enough now!

I ripped out and replaced the stitches on the tail and the wing directly above the tail. I used a light gray micron pen to darken the mid level wing threads. I have a dark gray micron pen, but wasn’t sure if I should go that dark. 

I think I will do some hand stitching on the head and breast as in the sketch below. I will use a darker thread than the light gray in the sketch. I want the thread to add texture and not be super obvious . I have to pick up the embroidery thread from Michael’s on Friday. 

So are the machine stitches dark enough now? I sure hope so!

Thanks for reading.

Chris

Maybe I’m not done

I am stressing and over analyzing as usual. Ever since I put the machine stitches in the Raven I have debated about whether they are too light in value and stick out too much. I have thought about a few things to try….

First, use a fabric marker to darken the threads. 

Second, hand stitch over the machine stitches with hand stitching. That would give the raven more dimension.

Third, rip out the stitches and stitch them again with a darker thread.

Any thoughts?

Here’s the photo again.

Thanks for reading.

Chris

Am I done?

I’m leaning toward not doing any hand stitching. I will think on that for several days, but I think I’ve decided against it.  Even though I was able to mark some of the quilting lines for the Raven it was still difficult to do and certainly did not come out perfect. 

Our daughter wants the piece so I don’t have to think about how much to sell it for at the recycle show. Now we have to decide on a title. I asked AI for some help. Plus my husband and daughter gave some ideas.

• What the Raven Knows
• Nevermore
• Nevermore Beneath the Silent Moon
• Moonlight Vigil
• Waiting for Poe
• The Raven and the Silent Moon
• Midnight Verses
• Moonlit Tales of Poe
• Poe’s Night watch
• Upon a Midnight Dreary
• The Raven Remembers

So that’s where I am. I have to decide if I’m going to do any hand stitching. I have to decide if I’m happy with the piece. I have to order a frame for it. 

Thanks for reading.

Chris

Nearing the end…

It’s hard to believe that I’m nearly done with the machine stitching on the recycle piece. I just have to quilt the raven. The quilting has been stressful because you really can’t mark the quilting lines on plastic. Plus you can’t rip it out. Plastic is not as forgiving as fabric. So I’ve had to just wing it for the stitching that I have already done. 

This morning I discovered that I can mark the quilting lines for the raven with a white gel pen, stitch and then remove the lines with a damp cloth. That will make doing the raven a bit less stressful.

Here’s the current state of the piece. It’s 14 inches by 14 inches. I think I’ll be doing some hand stitching as well.

Here’s roughly how I plan on quilting the raven. 

Thanks for reading. Now all I need is a good title!

Chris