 |
| with his blanket on |
Some of you have commented that my house must be filled with beautiful things, but just understand, this elephant sits beside the large flat screen TV, the MySky, the PS4, the PS3 and the WiiU (ie gaming central). I do have a few of my tasteful items scattered around the house amongst the nerf guns, shin pads, football gear and school books, but it will be a few years yet before I gain total control of the house.
 |
| without the blanket |
The class sample had been made from silk fabrics, but I didn't fancy working with silk, so I chose a range of cotton quilting fabrics that worked well together.
We were give templates and traced each them onto interfacing. We then did crazy patchwork over the templates until they were filled. Most people did their crazy patchwork on their fancy machines, but I chose to do mine by hand using perle threads and a variety of embroidery stitches.
We put crushed granite in the base of each leg so the elephant would be stable and stand up easily. We stuffed the body and added the finishing touches such as the tail, the eyes and the blanket. I got my braids from a wonderful shop in Wellington which has now closed down. It was called Scherazad Silks and was run by an old Sikh man who imported wonderful silks and braids. I really enjoyed choosing the braids for the blanket in that shop.
 |
| the other side |
It was a challenge to make a 3 dimensional object. Getting the ears in just the right place was probably the hardest part, but I did really enjoy making this elephant. Now I look at him each night when I get to relax in front of TV at the end of the day.
The facts:
his back is 10" high
his trunk is 14" high
he is 17" long
28 comments:
How cute is the Elle? Pretty darn cute!!
He is so awesome! You are so talented.
I hope you are soon feeling well again Wendy. I like the hand stitching using perle cottons - beautiful stitching!
He's awesome, Wendy!!! Love your hand stitching and the little blanket with the beads.
He's lovely!
I love your elephant! What a beautiful piece of needlework! Feel better!
Your elephant is just beautiful! I love all of the different fabrics you used and the different embroidery stitches.
I love crazy patchwork, and making an elephant from it is an awesome idea. You have done a really lovely piece.
Your elephant is fabulous Wendy! Get better quickly :)
oh wow, he's just fabulous! does he have a name? I love that you made him by hand, I think it makes him even more special.
What a great elephant! Love that tail too!
He's gorgeous, and your stitching really makes him extra special. Hope you're feeling better soon.
He's really lovely, I'd have him on display in the living room too. Love the stitching and the clasp with his tail.
That elephant is just adorable! I know how you feel. I haven't gotten much done lately because my son has been sick. :( I hope you feel better soon!
Love your elephant! He has some character and colours are stunning! You really have a great talent. Get well!
He's very cute!
LOVE IT!!
Beautiful embroidery work on your elephant. Hope you feel better soon. And I had to laugh about the description of your boy's paraphernalia. You won't believe it now, but you will miss it when it's all gone!
Gorgeous! What a special remembrance.
This elephant is gorgeous! I'm amazed you posted pictures of him naked! (no blanket) Didn't he object?
what a creative piece he really is wonderful
This is a gorgeous elephant! Would love to run across the pattern. I am sure that this is a great conversation piece.
This is amazing! Beautiful handwork! I'm so impressed by your 3-d sewing abilities!
You are such a rebel, Wendy, seeing it by hand! :)
I know what you mean about the ears – their placement (along with eyes) always seems critical as it can change the creature's expression.
What a juwel!!!!!! I love the cottons you used. It could not be better in slik!
Love from Amsterdam.
Oh he is so wonderful. I grew up in India and this just reminds me of my childhood home.
this is absolutely wonderful. I am going to send your link to my sewing group to see what they could make! LeeAnna at Not afraid of color
This is one of the lovliest things Ive seen in a long time
Post a Comment