Monday 30 May 2011

Ernst Haeckel and free machine embroidery

I've been somewhat fascinated by Ernst Haeckel for a while and recently treated myself to a book of his illustrations which are incredibly detailed.  I knew I wanted to do something stitchy with them so this afternoon experimented by printing a couple of the images on fabric, layering up on some background fabric, lowering the feed dogs on the machine and away I went.  It's been a good exercise in practicing free machine embroidery. I wasn't going to post them but they are quite interesting. So here's the first one...
and here's where I went with it...


Here's the second one...
... and the results...

it's quite a bit smaller than the previous one.  I'm not finished with these yet so you may see some more ideas.


29 comments:

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Carol, no matter what you tackle you pull it off with such ease.
These are spectacular. Are you planning on framing them?
Lynne x

Alison said...

Ooh! These are fascinating! Great stitching Carol! x

Zoechaos said...

Brilliant. As someone utterly challenged by needle and thread can only stand and applaud such skill.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Wow what a fabulous effect, love them both. Tracy x

Anonymous said...

wow looks stunning....like what youve created.

Jo Capper-Sandon said...

ooooooooo yes!

Ernst Haeckel...new to me, sounds like something you need to say 'Bless you' after, but LOVE those illustrations. Imagine lots of these on a hanging...all sewn...ooooooo!

Netty said...

These are so interesting and look very complicated. Look forward to see how you integrate these into your designs. Annette

Dotpat said...

Very clever Carole you have some patience Girl

Heather said...

I have never heard of Ernst Haeckel - thankyou for introducing me. I love what you have done with his designs and look forward to seeing more.

Juls said...

wow these are fab! HUgs Juls

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

They look really fab!!! ;)

Karen said...

these drawings are amazing and you have interpreted them beautifully in stitch x

flutterbycrafter said...

Gosh these are fantastic

Createology said...

These pieces are so intriguing. Very intricate and detailed. I think you did a wonderful job translating them to stitching on fabric. Fabulous my dear...

Karin said...

These are stunning Carol. I'm lookinf forward to see what you do next!

Sue said...

Wow! What machine control you have to be so intricate!!! I'm jealous :)
Off to investigate Ernst Haeckel......

Sid said...

Fantastic work Carol, love the designs too !!

Unknown said...

These are totally amazing - you are absolutely brilliant and I am in total awe

sam21ski said...

Oooh Carol, these are fab and yes they are rather interesting, glad you decided to share them.

Might have to seek him out, looks good.

Sam xxx

http://sam21ski.blogspot.com/

Katie said...

These are wonderful! Looks so fun to try.

Anonymous said...

Both are fantastic!

Chris said...

Carol, these are amazing. You've done a fabulous job. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

Neet said...

Oh WOW Carol, these are fabulous. If only I had your talent!

Suzanne C said...

Both are wonderful! Love how you are always experimenting in all the arts!

Caroline Moore said...

wow - how did I miss these, absolutely fab Carol and definitely the right direction

Lexxie said...

Fab stitching Carol, I love the designs, they look really intricate. Really beautiful work,
Love Sarita xx

Caroline Moore said...

thought I had commented on these already Carol - absolutely fabulous, you should keep up the textile works.

Anne Essex said...

Wow, your machine stitching is amazing. Anne x

Gina said...

Wow! These are stunning Carol.