Capture the sky's ever-changing hues in paper and machine stitching
by Gilda Baron
Photos by Ian Cole

Free machining onto paper has many advantages, as no frame is needed. The disadvantage is that the machine needle will make holes, so you cannot unpick it if you go wrong. Sewing on paper can also make the machine needle blunt.

Set the sewing machine as you would for free machine embroidery, by dropping or covering the feed. Just loosen the top tension a fraction, so that the bottom thread will not show through, and you can then use ordinary white machine thread on the bobbin.

Golden Sunset - bigger image

Purple Hills - bigger image

What you need

Instructions are for 'Golden Sunset' (instructions for 'Purple Hills' in brackets).

• 1 sheet of white sketching paper 25 x 20 cm
• 2 sheets of plain wrapping paper - I used gold and green metallic paper (lilac and purple metallic paper)
• Packet of Blopens
• Piece of Vilene or a nappy liner, to back the main sheet of paper
• 1 reel of variegated green Madeira 2031 (2031) rayon machine thread
• 1 reel of variegated Madeira 2153 (2103) rayon machine thread
• 1 reel of Madeira red 1039 (fuchsia 1119)
• Machine thread to tone in with wrapping papers
• 1 mount, 12.5 x 18 cm aperture
• 1 sheet of tracing paper
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

1. Trace the three shapes or layers (see diagram) onto tracing paper, and cut out each one.
2. Lay the white paper on a piece of newspaper. Hold a yellow (pink) Blopen about 8-10 cm away, and blow gently until you have covered the paper with the first colour.
3. Keeping the bottom edges level, lay the first layer of tracing paper on top of the paper you have just coloured. Spray with a red (bright blue) Blopen, covering the exposed area above the tracing paper. Remove the paper to reveal the first colour, which makes the furthest hills.

With the tracing paper in place, spray the exposed area above the tracing paper in red. When the tracing paper is removed, the furthest hills are revealed.

Position the gold-coloured paper and then the green layer.
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4. Cut the second shape in gold (lilac) wrapping paper. Apply a little Spraymount to the back of the paper and stick lightly into place, again keeping the bottom edges level. Machine straight stitch along the top edge with toning thread.
5. Cut the third shape in green (purple) paper, and repeat as in step 4.

Straight stitch around the top of the gold and green papers.

The grasses are worked by moving the landscape from side to side.

The flowers are created using a wide zigzag stitch.

6. Set the sewing machine for free embroidery.
7. For safety I have allowed extra paper all around the work for you to hold the paper. There is no need to machine right to the edges.
8. Thread the machine with green Madeira variegated thread 2031 (2031) and set on straight stitch.
9. With the landscape sideways on, i.e. as printed, move your work from left to right and from right to left, to create the grass.
10. Repeat over the top with Madeira 2053 (2103).
11. Thread the machine with Madeira 1039 (1119). Set for a wide zigzag stitch. Turn the work to face you, and move the work up and down to create the impression of flowers.
12. With a black pen or a tube of gold gutta, draw a few wide V-shapes in the sky to give the impression of birds in flight.
13. Allowing an extra 12 mm all around, trim to fit behind the opening in the mount. Fix your landscape to the back of the mount with masking tape.
14. Frame as desired.

The softer edges of torn papers are
used to create a tree
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Batik on paper and coloured lace add another
textural dimension to a landscape
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Torn batiked papers and dyed lace and fleece
create an abundance of texture
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Tips

• Use a paper that is fadeproof if possible - most gift-wrapping papers are.
• This project will work just as well in any colours, so do not worry if you cannot obtain the colours I have used. You may have leftover pieces of wrapping paper with which you can experiment.
• Instead of spraying the background to give it colour, use a sheet of coloured paper. Some patterned papers may also be suitable.
• When using any spray paint or glue, make sure the room is well ventilated, or use in the open air.
• Instead of using commercially produced wrapping paper, experiment with some of the hand-made papers that are available, or even create your own. You can colour the paper with watercolour, use pencil, or batik onto the paper.
• To give the paper a more interesting edge, try tearing it instead of cutting it to shape.
• For added texture, add some dyed lace or wisps of silk fibres, and stitch over the top.
• I have used Madeira machine embroidery threads, but any similar threads would be suitable.

Suppliers

You will find Gilda's own website on www.gildabaron.com

Blopens are a very easy way of achieving an airbrush effect. The manufacturers do not guarantee them to be fadeproof, but I have tested by putting paper, which I had sprayed, in a bright window for a few months and the colours remained strong. However, it is always wise to avoid placing your work in direct sunlight. Available in packets of 5 and 10 colours, you will find Blopens in the children's stationery section of most branches of Woolworths and Tescos. For more information and stockists, contact: P&M Products Limited, 23-25 Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7AD (www.blopens.com).