Trish Burr's new book on needlepainting is out. Why is this of interest to needlepointers? Because the needlepainting technique Trish has mastered is perfect for fur, feathers and hair.
http://trishburr.com/2011/08/05/new-book-is-here/
Peggi and I've been talking about this technique, also called random long and short stitch. How easily you pick up this stitch depends on your mindset. Folks used to diagrammed stitches or who shy away from the word "random" have more trouble than those who just automatically draw lines with their needle and thread.
I think it is easier to start using this technique on hair than on animals because we all are used to combing our own hair. We know where parts go, how hair turns under, where bangs naturally fall, etc. If you don't have a dog or cat under your roof to examine, the way fur grows on their faces and backs and paws is harder to understand. Start with a canvas of a person with straight hair to practice this technique. Or better yet, draw an oval on scrap canvas and give it hair, a beard, mustache, etc.
I also suggest that folks use 1-2 plies of DMC cotton floss to practice this technique. If you use only 1 or 2 plies, it takes a lot longer but you can easily bury a mistake under another layer of floss.
It's also a good idea to make a copy of the area you are going to use this technique on and pencil in guidelines that show how the hair will fall. Erase and redo the lines until you are happy with the look, then copy the lines on your canvas. Once you have guidelines in, all you have to do is put more thread between the guidelines that slant the same way.
Of course a book like Trish's will help. She even sells projects and a DVD of her techniques, which is great for visual learners.
http://trishburr.com/shop/
All this will help, but practice is the real way to master this technique.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging
at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
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