Take Your Thread Painting to the Next Level!
Discover the secrets to stitching realistic thread painted pictures from photos, and effective methods for shading and blending colours with thread.
Shading and Blending Secrets will teach you the exact colour and stitching strategies I use to create thread paintings using two simple free motion stitch techniques.
Skill level: Intermediate / Advanced
What You'll Learn
⭐️ How to use a photo to create your realistic thread painting.
⭐️Understand how we see colour, and how to identify the colours in a photo.
⭐️ How to select thread colours that will work with your photo idea.
⭐️ Discover simple methods for editing your photo that will not test your computer skills, and will make the thread painting process easier.
⭐️ How to print your photo on fabric.
⭐️ Two methods for stabilising fabric and ensure trouble-free (and pucker-free) thread painting.
How you can create your own outline design for thread painting, and transfer that design to fabric.
⭐️ Four project demonstrations featuring:
- A Blue Iris flower thread painting using free motion straight stitch, stabilised with an embroidery hoop.
- A Sunset Scene landscape demonstrating various approaches for creating a blended sky.
- Two still-life demonstrations of stitching Pears using free motion zigzag stitch, with an option for straight stitch and/or appliqué.
- How to stitch the all-important Eye in a thread painted portrait.
Who is this class for?
This class is perfect for you if…
- You have some experience with free machine thread painting and understand how to use your machine for free motion stitching.
- You have tried thread painting but perhaps found the shading and blending process challenging.
- You want to develop and hone your skills in shading and blending thread colours to create realistic thread paintings.
- Have a desire to use photos (rather than commercial patterns) as a basis for your pictures.
Who is this class NOT for?
Who is this class NOT for?
This is NOT a class for beginners.
However, a confident or adventurous thread painter with some free motion experience, and a keen desire to learn thread painting may enjoy developing their skills early on!
This class does NOT cover the basics of setting up for free motion stitching – machine settings, needle choice, etc.
It is assumed that anyone taking this class understands the fundamentals of free motion stitching.
[If you're a beginner and would like advice on an appropriate starter class for you, please contact Deborah at admin@threadsketchinginaction.com]
This class is not for the impatient thread painter!
Recreating realistic thread paintings using photographs can often be a time-consuming process.
The secret to creating realism in your work is to take your time, constantly reassessing your chosen thread colours and developing an understanding of how your eye ‘mixes and blends’ the shades and tones in a picture.
What You'll Get...
26 lessons in handy, bite-sized sections of video and text.
Video tutorials covering:
- How we see colour
- Photo editing
- Printing photos on fabric
- Stabilising your fabric
- Four video demonstrations of the thread painting projects and process as it unfolds
- Downloadable PDF notes and images for your reference
- Student Gallery for inspiration!
24/7 Access – Watch and review as many times as you like.
Self-paced course – Work through the lessons and projects in your own time, from the comfort of your own home.
What You'll Need
A domestic sewing machine capable of doing free motion stitching.
Basic sewing supplies.
Fabric for printing photos, paper-backed stabiliser and an embroidery hoop (all explained in detail in the course).
A home printer that will print in colour.
A comprehensive Materials list and detailed Course Notes are included in the course.
Also required ...
A strong, stable internet connection to view the HD videos.
Course curriculum
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1Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO SHADING AND BLENDING SECRETS
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2Module 2: COLOUR AND THREAD
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3Module 3: EDITING PHOTOS FOR THREAD PAINTING
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4Module 4: PRINTING AND STABILISING
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5Module 5: PROJECT #1 – BLUE IRIS
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6Module 6: PROJECT #2 – SUNSET SCENE
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7Module 7: PROJECT #3 – STILL LIFE WITH PEARS
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8Module 8: PROJECT #4 – STITCHING THE EYES IN A PORTRAIT
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9Module 9: CONCLUSION AND WRAP UP
My Goal
My goal is to help you take your thread painting experience to the next level, by learning how to use thread and free motion stitching to blend and shade the colours in your photo.
FAQs
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The course starts as soon as your payment is processed and you can finish it in your own time. It is a completely self-paced online course/lecture. You decide when you start and when you finish.
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After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course - across any and all devices you own – for as long as the course is available. This will be for at least a year after purchase.
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All courses and products are available for purchase only in USD due to frequent international currency fluctuations. Your bank will convert the payment to your local currency.
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Each country has different legally-required digital sales tax applied to courses. Payhip manages EU and UK taxes to reflect the legal digital sales tax laws of the country YOU reside in. You will be able to see how much sales tax is being added before completing your purchase. Not all countries, and not all types of digital courses, require sales tax. It will be added to your purchase only where necessary.
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Please email us at admin@threadsketchinginaction.com and we will get back to you within 24-48 hours (M-F).
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When you join this course, you'll have immediate access to all the modules, lessons and resources. If you don't feel as though your skills are improving, just reach out to me at admin@threadsketchinginaction.com within 14 days of purchase, and I'll gladly give you a refund. Due to the nature of digital online courses, simply "changing your mind" is not considered adequate reason to grant a refund.
For more information, please refer to our Refund Policy (Terms and Conditions).
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Copyright Notice. Please note that all courses and products sold or distributed through this school are copyright. They are for personal use only and should not be shared or used as teaching material without express written authorisation by the creator, Deborah Wirsu.
What Students Are Saying...
I am so excited about the instructions for the software. The cost of the course has been worth these tips alone. I have been trying to find something that went through these stages for textile use for a long time and when I decided to look at your shading tips i did not think I would find this specific information so clearly and concisely presented.
— Carol Fagan
I’ve been looking for something like this for ages - can’t wait to get cracking! Thank you.
— Jane Young
Showcase your happy customers by adding their testimonials and reviews
— John Doe
Hello Deborah, Your presentation of materials is excellent. Your simple steps both in the video and Module notes have been a tremendous help. I am working on a piece which I am now projecting the image to the wall for creating a collage piece. I will then use thread painting to enhance. I am just getting started so the timing of this course is perfect.
— Anne Cornejo
Hi Deborah, I've been wanting to learn about this for quite a while and right now the timing seems perfect. I'm really looking forward to the course.
— Angie Jones
Excellent technique for seeing the range of colors. I think you could print the crystallized version of the photo on paper to help when you are making your choices, both what to choose and later to guide your placement of thread.
— Joan McCall
Thank you soo much for offering this class. I have also done few thread painting workshops but still need to learn more. This is perfect timing. Can't wait to gather supplies, organize my sewing space and follow your instructions.
— Marie Jokanovic
I really enjoyed the eye project!! I began to feel very comfortable using the zigzag stitch. By relaxing the arms on the sewing table just let the finger tips do the work!!! This has been a wonderful class! I have learned several new skill sets!!!
— Anne Cornejo
Unbelievable, really magic watching the eye appearing in stitch. Excellent video and explanations.
Thank you for all the lessons which I have thoroughly enjoyed, actually ,I have only used straight stich when doing free motion, but now after all your detailed lessons I am certainly going to try the zig zag stitch, I am fascinated with your use of it in straight line sewing, especially under the eye; this course has been a revelation for me , the word for it is 'Magic' Thank you so much Deborah for all the little details that mean so much.
— Sandra Tavel
Thank you so much for putting the PDF together and keeping it simple. There are a lot of steps in the process and this really helps me keep the sequence in the correct order. I love your clear and ordered instructions.
— Kim Laffont
Watching you stitch the eye was fascinating. I am enjoying the class a great deal and have learned a ton.
— Susan Holmgren
Loved the colour demonstration. It is one of my favourite things to do on a road trip(when I am not driving) is to try and pick out the colours in scenes around me especially clouds and bushes! I am looking forward to having a go at photo editing.
— Marcia Moon
Thank you for the tips on editing a photo to show shading. It has inspired me to look for your suggested ways of doing this.
— Jan Cunningham
About Your Tutor
Deborah Wirsu, owner and founder of TSIA, brings over 30 years experience in the arts and crafts world, and 15 years of running online businesses.
I offer resources that can make your creative life and work easier:
- Helping newcomers to creative textiles break with traditions by exploring new techniques.
- Creating resources and tools to help artists and craftspeople, regardless of medium, establish their niche and build a successful arts and crafts business.