I have been working on my Samburu blanket from Jenny McWhinney. When last I reported, I had just returned from my workshop with Jenny in Sydney. I had really enjoyed the workshop and was excited about this project. Since then, I've filled in both of the Giraffe's necks and I'm ready to move the Quilting frame so that I can stitch their legs and the grassy, hot savannah that they are standing in. I'm using one strand of Paterna/Paternayan wool and a Chenille needle (size 22). The paterna wool gives the embroidered picture quite a textured feel, a bit like the texture on an animal. I love that tactile effect, which reminds you that you'd like to stroke the neck of a real giraffe (if only it wasn't a huge animal, and either in a zoo - which is sad, or in Africa - which is far away).
The pattern is traced onto a piece of Solvie, which will be cut away and dissolved on completion. And Jenny has drawn some blue lines to indicate the direction the threads take.
If you'd like to see an inspiring photograph of the real thing, check out this 2010 national geographic photo comp.
Previous posts
Giraffes, Africa, Blankets - embroidery - thread painting (March 23, 2011)