Welcome to the June 2024 Strange & Unusual Art Challenge! This month, we’re excited to present a unique and engaging challenge that invites you to explore the fascinating world of photo embroidery. Imagine breathing new life into black and white photographs by stitching vibrant colors into clothing and backgrounds, or perhaps taking a more abstract route by adding intricate geometric shapes. For those with a penchant for the surreal, consider transforming an eye into a blooming flower or adding whimsical elements that defy conventional boundaries.
Photo embroidery is more than just a craft; it’s a fine art technique that melds the precision of photography with the creativity of embroidery. As you embark on this challenge, we encourage you to let your imagination guide you. Whether you choose to closely follow traditional methods or innovate with your own unique twist, the goal is to create a piece that is deeply personal and artistically distinct.
We can’t wait to see the innovative and beautiful artworks you produce this month. Happy stitching! Remember to use the hashtag #SAUGArtChallenge
Photo Embroidery Challenge
Supplies:
- Needles
- Embroidery thread
- A light pencil
- An eraser
- A straight edge
- Masking tape
- Tracing paper
- And pictures, photos or postal cards ! The paper must be a little bit thick
First off, if you’re using a personal photo I highly recommend that you print a copy to use instead of the original. You also have the option to use an open source photo, like art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY. There are thousands of photos and other pieces of art that are FREE for you to download and use!
Now that you have all your supplies together, let’s get into it.
Step one: Mapping things out
Use your tracing paper as an overlay to map out your design. This is the best way to let your imagination run wild without running the risk of messing up your photo. Tape the tracing paper to your photo, and using your pencil gentilly start to draw your embroidery design.
Step two: Punch it out
With your design mapped out use the tip of your needle to begin to poke little guide holes. I tend to work in sections, whether it’s by area, by the type of stitch, or color thread. I only punch the holes I need to work on for a single “section”. This will help you to not accidentally cause a mis-stitch and have to go back and undo mistakes.
Step three: Get Stitching
Embroidery Floss is 6 separate strands of floss twisted together. You can separate these to make your stitches as thick or thin as you’d like. I prefer to use 2-3 strands to keep my holes small and lessen the risk of tearing the paper. There are numerous embroidery stitches you can use, from a running stitch, back stitch, split, chain, and many many more. If you’re not sure which to use, check out the link on our Freebie page to a tutorial on 14 stitch variations you can try.
When starting a new thread I prefer to leave a small tail in the back of the photo and use a small piece of tape to secure it to the photo. When ending a stitch, I will weave it through the stitches on the back of the photo leaving about a quarter of an inch tail. I DO NOT use knots with this technique as it will leave your finished project lumpy when you go to frame it. Very important! Don’t pull the strand too hard or you risk damaging the picture!
Repeat steps Two and Three until you’ve competed your masterpiece.
Step Four: Frame it out
To make this look truly high art make sure to frame your work!! Using an optional photo Matte will elevate the aesthetic of the piece but is not necessary. Once you’ve framed it, sit back and admire your work!!
FYI, These make great gifts!! Mother’s Day, Bridal Shower, Birthday, etc. It’s a great way to give a unique and personalized something to someone you like. Plus it’s a great project to work on while your favorite show runs in the background when you just need to decompress and be creative!
We can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!