Lesson video

Hi, I'm Miss Blue and I'm really excited to be learning with you today.

I hope you find our lesson as interesting as I do.

Let's get started.

The outcome of this lesson is I can create a thread drawing by using the sewing machine to draw with freehand stitching.

Let's go over our keywords, freehand, a sewing machine attachment that lets you move the fabric freely to draw with thread.

Sewing machine, a tool that stitches fabric together using thread.

Thread, a long thin strand of fibre used for sewing.

It connects pieces of fabric together or can be used decoratively to draw or create texture.

Let's begin with exploring freehand stitching as a drawing tool.

The outcomes from today's lesson might make something like these examples.

The middle image shows a portrait image which has been sketched out.

The first image on the left seems to be a development of this portrait, which has been stitched on the sewing machine.

You can see how the use of thread has added an incredible sense of tone and depth to the portrait.

To me, it somehow feels more emotional and impactful.

On the right hand side is a more abstract use of thread.

You can see how the rich red fabric background contrasts with the thread accents and the faces.

What techniques do you think were used to make this drawing? Pause the video here to have a think.

Thread drawing is when you stitch by hand or use a sewing machine to draw with thread instead of pencil.

By using different coloured threads, you can create lines, shapes and portraits.

A sewing machine joins fabric using thread.

It's faster than hand stitching and uses parts like the needle, bobbin and presser foot.

You can also use it to draw a thread by attaching a freehand arm.

Exploring freehand stitching as a drawing tool.

A freehand arm is a sewing machine attachment that lets you move the fabric freely.

This allows artists to draw with thread, creating a range of expressive lines.

I myself have experimented with the freehand arm and it's really addictive once you get started.

You can see an example here on the left.

Look at how the thread has been used to capture all of these incredible expressive lines.

I think it's really effective on the eyelashes.

A level of the layering that's taken place and the change in colours.

Have you ever used the freehand arm before? Let's decide if this statement is true or false.

You can only use a sewing machine for straight lines or joining fabric.

Pause the video while you decide if this is true or false.

The correct answer is false.

Why? Because with a freehand arm, you can move the fabric in any direction to draw curves, lines and patterns of thread, artists use this to stitch portraits, text and textures guiding the fabric by hand, like drawing with a pencil.

When working with a sewing machine, you must concentrate and pay attention at all times.

Always keep your fingers away from the moving needle.

Do not put your pedal speed on maximum.

Minimum is the correct speed for freehand machine stitching.

Dan is considering the anatomy of the sewing machine.

He says a sewing machine stitches fabric with thread.

It's quicker than hand sewing and uses parts like the needle and bobbin with a freehand arm.

You can also draw with thread.

On the left is a diagram with different labels.

You can pause the video to have a closer look.

A sewing machine can be used like a pencil to draw on fabric.

By changing the foot and switching to freehand arm, you guide the fabric yourself in any direction to create lines, shapes and textures.

Take a look at the diagram showing clearly a normal presser foot versus a freehand arm.

The freehand arm lets you move the fabric freely to draw with the sewing machine.

Artists will change the normal foot for a freehand arm, when they want to use the sewing machine to make a drawing.

You can also do this.

Have you ever experimented with different sewing machine attachments? Artists inspired to create sewing machine stitch art include Dr.

Jack Roberts uses zigzag machine stitching to create freehand abstract pieces, building up dense layers of thread with two or more colours.

Louise Gardiner creates freehand art pieces inspired by nature and organic forms artworks.

Toyin Ojih Odutela explores mark making with thread to create layered portraits.

Ardeshir Tabrizi uses sewing machines and hand embroidery to layer figures, symbols and lines.

Do any of these artists spark your interest immediately? I personally am drawn to the work of Toyin, his work I saw at the Barbican Museum in London a few years back.

I love how her work emphasises the richness of dark skin colours.

She uses layers like thread yo show this.

Jun is planning to develop his pencil drawing into freehand stitch.

He says, my project is about portraiture.

I want to use the sewing machine to respond to my drawings and draw a portrait with the sewing machine.

This sketchbook page is very thorough.

You can see how he's captured his model in a variety of poses, and the biggest one seems to be the one that he's chosen to move forward.

You can see how this sketch was drawn from a photograph in the right hand corner and he has got clear annotation stating a page of portrait studies.

I will use a sewing machine to draw a portrait in thread.

This is a great example of sketchbook development.

Here are the steps for preparing to create a freehand stitch thread drawing.

First, select the drawing you would like to use.

Place the white cotton on the drawing.

Trace the drawing lightly.

You do not need to trace all details as you can also stitch freely.

Let's test your knowledge.

Do you have to draw everything on the fabric before stitching? A, yes, every detail must be drawn exactly before you start.

B, no, you can stitch freely without any sketch at all.

C, yes, it's the only way to make sure your work is neat.

D, no, you can sketch lightly or stitch freely as you go.

Pause the video and select all which apply.

The correct answer is D, no, you can sketch lightly or stitch freely as you go.

Prepare to create a thread drawing using freehand stitching.

First, choose the drawing you would like to use.

Prepare your cotton and place it on top of the drawing.

Trace the drawing lightly.

Consider the colour that you use.

Use a line drawing technique and focus on the main lines and shapes.

Avoid using tone or too much mark making.

This may be difficult to replicate on the sewing machine.

Pause the video here while you work on the task.

Here's an example of one possibility.

Jun says, my portrait is ready for me to use the sewing machine to complete my drawing.

I have kept the mark making very simple as I want most of the marks in the portrait to be textured and expressive.

Using stitch will help me achieve this effect.

Now let's have a look at preparing and stitching the thread drawing.

This pencil drawing on the left was already a beautiful outcome with delicate shading and tone.

To me, I think the model's expression is the most captivating and highlighting this through the thread drawing has been really impactful.

It amplifies the expression somehow and the colour feels really exciting while still maintaining the mood.

Why do you think an artist might choose to develop a drawing by drawing with a sewing machine? Pause the video here to come up with your own response.

How do you think the artist has developed this sewing machine drawing? What materials or processes might they have used? Pause the video while you come up with your answer.

Izzy says, stitch adds texture and makes the drawing feel more alive.

The thread stands out from the surface and you can add layers of different materials.

Jun says, drawing with a sewing machine can be more unusual than a normal pencil.

You can explore line and tone in a different way.

Personally, I think using a sewing machine to draw is really fun, and that's a new level of depth to your portrait.

Izzy says, artists such as Nicole Chui use hand stitching to create portraits, often sewing directly over photographs.

In contrast, artists like Alice Kettle use sewing machines to draw intricate portrait imagery and figures.

Here's an example on the left of a portrait using thread drawing.

I love the contrast of the delicate thread against the rich red tones in the background.

I've been lucky enough to attend one of Nicole Chui's workshops in London.

She talked us through her use of stitch and we were able to create our own outcomes.

Workshops are a great way to learn from an artist and develop your skills.

What is the purpose of drawing with a sewing machine? Is it A, to copy a photo exactly using thread? B, to stitch simple outlines quickly.

C, to explore line tone and texture in a different way, or D, to practise sewing straight lines neatly.

Pause the video here while you come up with your answer, If you chose C, you would be correct.

The purpose of drawing with a sewing machine is to explore line, tone and texture in a new way.

Artists use various stitch techniques in their art.

Nicole Chui uses freehand stitch rather than a sewing machine to create more expressive pieces, exploring her identity.

James Hunting uses transparent fabric and fine embroidery to create expressive stitch portraits.

Richard McVetis creates slow meditative stitch drawings with machine and hand embroidery.

Ebony G.

Patterson uses hand and machine stitching in rich detailed installations.

Have you heard of any of these artists before or do they interest you? Jun and Sofia are discussing which materials they might need to draw with a sewing machine.

Jun says, you can choose the best materials to suit your own theme.

I've collected plastic bags for layering, sewing cotton and pins.

You can see down below examples of these materials.

Let's have a look at this diagram.

It shows you how to set up the presser foot and change it into a freehand arm so you can begin stitching.

It's a good idea to use a freehand arm.

Don't forget to change it on the sewing machine before you start.

Follow these steps exactly.

Here's how to thread the sewing machine properly.

Let's have a look at the diagram.

Number one points to the spool pin.

Here, you can place the thread spool on the spool pin so that the thread unwinds smoothly.

Two points to the thread guide.

Pull the thread through the first thread guide at the top of the machine.

Three points to tension control.

Bring the thread down and leave it around the tension control dial to set the correct tension.

Four, take-up lever, pull the thread up and pass it through the take-up lever, making sure it hooks securely.

Five shows the lower thread guide.

Bring the thread down again through the lower thread guide above the needle.

Six shows where the needle goes.

Finally, you can thread the needle from the front to back, leaving a tail of thread under the presser foot.

Here's an example of how you can stitch a thread drawing.

First, collect your materials to collage into your drawing.

Cut pieces of the plastic bags and pin them onto cotton.

Start sewing your thread drawing onto the sewing machine.

How does simple thread turn into a complex portrait image? As you stitch, remember to stop and change the thread colour.

This will help build up tone and texture in your thread drawing.

Let's test your knowledge.

Thread cannot show detail like pencil or pen.

Is this true or false? Pause the video here while you decide on the answer.

This statement is false.

Why? Because thread can build up layers, create shading and form expressive lines just like drawing but with texture.

When stitching the thread drawing, you should collect textured or patterned materials to collage into your thread drawing.

Cut and pin the materials to your drawing.

Once the pieces are secure, you can start sewing using the sewing machine.

Then you can follow the pen or pencil marks of the drawing with the sewing machine.

Remember to change thread colour to create contrast, you can go over stitches to make the colour darker.

Now, you can have a go at this task.

Pause the video while you get started.

Stitching the thread drawing.

There are many possibilities.

You may have said something like Izzy, using the freehand arm gave me lots of freedom to draw.

I changed colours and layered stitches to add tone and texture.

I'm happy with the results and will use this technique in my final piece.

To summarise, artists use the sewing machine, not just to join fabric, but as a way to make expressive detailed artwork.

By attaching a freehand arm, they gain full control over the direction of the fabric, allowing them to draw freely with the needle.

This technique called thread drawing replaces pencil lines with stitched ones, artists build up tone and texture by layering different thread colours and stitch directions, often creating portraits or abstract designs of a rich, tactile quality.

Thank you so much for listening and paying attention in this lesson.

I hope you had fun and learned something new along the way.

See you next time.