Thread Stories

Day's photo-realistic quilts have been displayed at national and international quilt shows, museums, and the UN in Geneva. Her technique, which uses machine-sewn thread painting on top of a photograph printed on canvas, yields extraordinary detail and surprising texture. The author takes quilters through the various steps of her process, from selecting, editing, and preparing a photograph to printing on fabric to techniques for stitching a variety of details, including eyes, hair, and skin. Unfortunately, there are a number of unanswered questions, since Day jumps from the basics of preparing to thread paint directly to working with intricate details. This may leave beginners floundering as they try to figure out where and how to begin. A gallery of work from Day's students complements the numerous samples of the author's own work. VERDICT Day's quilts are inspiring, but the complexity of her techniques may be overwhelming, especially to quilters new to these methods. This distinct book is best suited to people with some background in machine-based thread painting. Library Journal, July 23, 2015 Many of us have seen thread painting and have marvelled at the level of realism achieved. Now here is your chance to learn how to do it. All the basics are covered, such as the photo to choose, how to print and the threads to use. No special equipment is required, because the stitching is done on a regular sewing machine. The devil, they say, is in the detail, and Jennifer provides that detail to ensure the finished product is true to the original. The book has step-by-step help and guidance, so you don't have to be particularly experience to be able to achieve a great picture. Down Under Textiles, Issue 25