Eucalyptus Print

I have begun working on an eco print that I particularly like. I used branches purchased at Trader Joe’s which had many dense clusters of flower buds. Click on images for a larger view.

 

 

Here’s a detail of those lovely clusters

 

 

The yellow-gold color is a result of the fabric-foliage wrap being boiled in a marigold bath. The color was a bit bright initially, then faded and warmed. You’ll notice that in the following photos.

I chose a variegated cotton thread for the threadpainting. It’s a hand-dyed thread from Oliver Twists, part of their Two of a Kind series — #15. I have had the thread for several years and had used it in the past. And, in fact, I wasn’t completely confident that I would have enough thread to complete the threadpainting on the leaves. So I put out a call to my fiber art friends and one came through with a spool of the same thread, also partially used. While the spool from my friend was on its way to me I received an order from Oliver Twists for the same-numbered thread — #15. What I received was not the original color at all – the thread on the left is the original #15, the other one is the current #15.

 

 

Here is the beginning of the threadpainting process. You can see in this detail the cluster of flower buds.

 

 

Eventually, I numbered the leaves to establish stitching order and make sure that the overlapping leaves were made clear.

 

 

 

And here is what I had left of my spool of thread when the stitching was done!

 

 

The friend who sent me her thread told me to keep it. How nice is that?!

The top so far.

 

 

Stay tuned for developments. I will be doing some close outlining of the branches next. During that stitching I will ponder how to quilt the piece.

Be strong. Be patient. Be kind.