Plan a thread-painted study

Map shape, light direction and stitch flow before selecting many shades. A small value study can reveal more than a large unplanned color collection.

Before you start

Prepare a small offcut of the intended ground with the intended needle and thread. Mark the practice area lightly and support the fabric without stretching its grain.

Try this example

Draw one 3 cm petal and choose three light-to-dark values. Mark directional guides, blend a small section and compare the shadow placement with the original sketch.

Check your result

• Release the frame and inspect front and reverse. The thread should lie as intended without distorting the ground; shorten a stitch or change the sample before pulling harder.
• Coverage and tension depend on the actual ground, thread and stitch length. A diagram shows the route, not a universal thread quantity or tension setting.

Sources

• rsnstitchbank.org: long and short stitch
• rsnstitchbank.org: running stitch

Browse editable craft templates

Report a correction.