Here we revisit our previous project of the Denim Jacket with the image of the fish on the back panel. Adding scales to the stem stitch outline adds further detail to the image.
Though not a complex project, it was not without its challenges and proved that care with making your pattern and laying the groundwork for your piece is paramount.
Initially I tried to draw the scales of the fish freehand using a wash away marker pen. The scales grew smaller as I moved from the head to the tail, however the speed of that change picked up momentum as I moved down the fish until the scales were a minute jumbled mess. I also lost the order of the scales and the regular pattern became disrupted. This was not an immediate issue until i started to stitch those areas and the criss cross of the stitching began to leave gaps . Time to wash off the pattern and start again.
Being more methodical, I drew the first row of scales in a curve behind the fish's head, I carefully measure each row of scales thereafter. The first few rows were 1cm deep, then as i progressed down the fish the size of the scales decreased to 7mm, then 5 mm then 3mm and 2mm. This measured approach kept the pattern neat and graduated.
The stitches themselves were simple and a matter of stitching over the pattern markings. I used 2 strands of DMC cotton colour 791. The stitches were kept fairly loose so that when they sagged slightly it would resemble the curve of the scale.
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See how this all happened in the short YouTube video
Find the design for Dylan on our Resources page.
Have a look at the first stage of the Dylan project on our website.
Watch the first stage of Dylan on YouTube.
See our Fly stitch blog tutorial for a refresher on how to do Fly stitch.
Or watch our Fly stitch tutorial video on YouTube.
See our other Fly stitch project, Katie on our website.
