This is the full you tube tutorial Thread Painting Leaves – https://youtu.be/9u-vZEXrtCA
Cassie Cartmell – Faodail Creation
Table of Contents
Thread Painting Leaves is a fun and easy way to practise free-motion sewing while transforming a simple piece of fabric into something completely different. If you have ever wanted to learn free-motion quilting but don’t feel comfortable or confident enough to get started, this is a great project to try.
For this Thread Painting Leaves project, I am starting with a very simple drawing of vines and leaves. I am then going to use my sewing machine and black thread to stitch over the design.
The result is a lovely sketchy effect that gives the fabric much more detail and personality.
And the best thing about Thread Painting Leaves is that you don’t have to be neat!
In fact, I think the finished piece looks much better when the stitching is a little messy.
What Is Thread Painting Leaves?
Thread Painting Leaves is a technique where you use your sewing machine to create a drawn or painted effect with thread.
Instead of simply sewing a straight line, you move the fabric underneath the needle to create curves, outlines and details.
For this particular project, I am using a simple design containing leaves and vines.
The original design is very basic, but once I add the stitching, it completely changes the appearance of the fabric.
Why Thread Painting Leaves Is Perfect for Beginners – Thread Painting Leaves
If you keep saying that you want to get started with free-motion quilting but don’t feel comfortable or confident doing it, Thread Painting Leaves can be a really good introduction.
The reason is that you are learning many of the movements that you need for free-motion quilting, but you are working on a much smaller piece.
You don’t have an entire quilt to try and manoeuvre around.
Instead, you are working with a small piece of fabric and a simple design.
A Less Stressful Way to Practise
I also find this technique less stressful because you have guidelines to follow.
You already have the leaves and vines drawn onto the fabric, so you have an idea of where you are going.
You can concentrate on getting used to moving the fabric rather than worrying about creating a complicated design from scratch.
The more you practise, the more comfortable those movements will become.
What Thread Do I Use ?
The thread I like to use for Thread Painting is Glide thread.
I have always liked using this particular thread for thread painting.
For this project, I am using black thread.
Why I Choose Black Thread – Thread Painting
I always choose black because I really like the sketchy appearance it creates.
The black thread makes the stitching look almost like a drawing that has been sketched onto the fabric.
It gives the leaves and vines plenty of definition.
You can obviously choose whatever colour you like.
However, if you want to recreate the sketchy look that I am demonstrating, black thread works really well.
What Thread Should I Use in the Bobbin? – Thread Painting Leaves
For the bobbin, I usually use bobbin thread or the same thread that I am using on the top.
For this project, I am using black bobbin thread to match the black thread on top.
You can experiment with different combinations, but I like keeping the colours the same for this type of project.
Setting Up the Baby Lock Soprano for Thread Painting Leaves
For this demonstration, I am using my Baby Lock Soprano.
I am not paid or sponsored to create this video. I am simply using my own machine to demonstrate the technique.
Setting Up the Thread Stand – Thread Painting Leaves
I am going to set my thread stand at the side of my Baby Lock Soprano.
The thread stand is obviously too large to put directly into the sewing machine, so I am placing it beside the machine.
I will then thread the machine as normal.
Next, I will put my black bobbin thread into the machine.
Changing the Sewing Foot
The next thing I need to do is change the sewing foot.
For Thread Painting Leaves, I am going to use my free-motion quilting foot.
I remove the regular foot and replace it with the free-motion quilting foot.
Make sure your foot is securely attached before you begin stitching.
How to Prepare Your Sewing Machine for Thread Painting Leaves
Before beginning Thread Painting Leaves, there are a couple of important settings that need to be changed.
Lower the Feed Dogs – Thread Painting Leaves
At the back of my Baby Lock Soprano, there is a switch that allows me to lower the feed dogs.
I am going to slide that across to lower them.
This is important because we want to be able to move the fabric ourselves.
With regular sewing, the feed dogs move your fabric through the machine.
When you are doing free-motion sewing, you take control of that movement yourself.
Add the Extension Table
My Baby Lock Soprano also comes with an extra table.
I like to use this because it gives me some extra legroom and workspace around the sewing machine.
Having enough space around your project makes it much easier to move the fabric.
Once the machine is threaded, the free-motion foot is attached, the feed dogs are lowered and the extension table is in place, we are ready to start.
How to Start Thread Painting Leaves – Thread Painting Leaves
Before I begin, I want to show you the difference between the fabric before and after.
At the beginning, I have a very simple drawing.
It doesn’t look particularly exciting.
But once I have finished Thread Painting Leaves, the same piece of fabric looks completely different.
The stitching adds detail, texture and personality.
Step 1: Start With the Vine – Thread Painting Leaves
I am going to start with one of the vines.
I simply begin stitching along the line.
But I am not worried about following the line perfectly.
You can go as fast or as slowly as you want.
The most important thing is to find a speed that feels comfortable.
Practise a Serpentine Movement
The movement I am using along the vine is basically a serpentine line.
I am moving backwards and forwards as I stitch.
This is a really useful movement to practise if you want to become more comfortable with free-motion quilting.
Don’t worry about making your curves perfect.
Just keep moving the fabric.
Step 2: Go Over the Lines – Thread Painting Leaves
One of the things I really like about Thread Painting Leaves is going over the lines several times.
I don’t like to be neat.
For the particular style I am creating, I think it looks much better when the stitching is messy.
You don’t need to try and create one perfect line.
Instead, allow yourself to go over the line a few times.
This gives the stitching that lovely sketchy appearance.
Step 3: Stitch Around the First Leaf – Thread Painting Leaves
When I reach one of the leaves, I am going to stitch around it.
I am not bothered whether I am being messy or super neat.
I am simply following the general shape of the leaf.
I might go around it three times.
Again, don’t worry if the lines overlap.
That is exactly the effect I am looking for.
Don’t Stress About Accuracy
If you are trying to do this and find yourself getting super stressed because you are trying to follow the drawing accurately, stop worrying about it.
This is supposed to be a fun way of practising free-motion movement.
You don’t need to stay perfectly on the line.
Step 4: Add the Leaf Veins – Thread Painting Leaves
Once I have gone around the leaf, I am going to come into the middle.
Now I can start drawing in the veins.
I simply stitch lines from the centre of the leaf towards the outside.
These little details make such a difference.
The original leaf was just a simple drawing.
Now, with the stitched detail, it starts to look much more interesting.
Step 5: Move Along the Vine to the Next Leaf – Thread Painting Leaves
Once I have finished the first leaf, I can use the existing vine line to travel towards the next leaf.
When I reach the next leaf, I repeat the same process.
I stitch around the outside.
Then I move towards the centre and add the veins.
Then I continue along the vine.
This makes Thread Painting Leaves very easy because the design itself gives you a guide to follow.
Keep Your Movements Relaxed – Thread Painting Leaves
Try not to tense up while you are sewing.
You can move faster or slower depending on what feels comfortable.
If you prefer to move up and down rather than from side to side, you can even turn the whole piece around.
There is no right or wrong direction.
The important thing is that you feel comfortable moving the fabric.
Don’t Worry About Mistakes When Thread Painting Leaves
While I was stitching my own design, I made a couple of mistakes.
At one point, I was supposed to follow the original line but moved away from it.
But when I looked at it, I actually thought it looked better.
This is one of the reasons I love Thread Painting Leaves.
The mistakes become part of the design.
Embrace the Messy Look
I even had another little mistake further along.
But once I had added all of the thread detail, you could barely notice it.
The stitching completely changed the appearance of the fabric.
Even though I had started with a felt-tip marker design that I wasn’t particularly happy with, adding the thread detail made it look so much better.
So don’t undo your work every time you make a little mistake.
Keep going.
You may be surprised by how good it looks when everything comes together.
Step 6: Continue Across the Design – Thread Painting Leaves
Once I have finished the first row, I continue with the remaining sections.
I can work my way across the rest of the leaves and vines.
Change Direction If You Need To
If you prefer to work up and down, simply turn your fabric around.
You can then continue working on the next section from a direction that feels easier.
This is another great thing about free-motion sewing.
You are not restricted to sewing in one direction.
Complete the Remaining Rows
I continue working until all of the leaves and vines have been stitched.
As you complete each section, you can see how much the stitching elevates the original drawing.
What started as a very simple design becomes a detailed piece of fabric.
Why Thread Painting Leaves Is Great Free-Motion Practice
Thread Painting Leaves is a fantastic way to practise the movements needed for free-motion quilting.
You are learning how to control the fabric underneath the needle.
You are practising curves.
You are practising changing direction.
And you are learning how your sewing machine responds when you move the fabric yourself.
Practise Different Free-Motion Movements
The vines give you the opportunity to practise serpentine lines.
The leaves allow you to practise going around curves.
The veins give you the opportunity to practise shorter lines and changes in direction.
Build Your Confidence – Thread Painting Leaves
The more you practise these movements, the more comfortable you can become.
Then, when you eventually decide to try free-motion quilting on a larger project, you will already have some experience with moving the fabric.
You don’t have to jump straight into quilting an entire quilt.
Start small.
Practise.
Have fun.
What Can You Make With Your Thread Painted Fabric?
Once you have finished your Thread Painting Leaves, you don’t have to leave it as a sample.
You now have a piece of decorated fabric that you can use in another sewing project.
Turn It Into a Zipper Pouch
For my project, I decided to turn the finished fabric into a zipper pouch.
This is a great way to use your thread-painted fabric because the stitching becomes the feature of the pouch.
Make a Cushion
You could also use your finished fabric to make a cushion.
The thread-painted design would make a lovely feature on the front of a cushion.
Make a Quilt
You could even turn your Thread Painting Leaves into an entire quilt.
Imagine creating lots of different thread-painted blocks and joining them together.
Use Children’s or Grandchildren’s Drawings
One idea I particularly love is getting children or grandchildren involved.
You could ask them to draw their own pictures.
Then you could use your sewing machine to stitch around their drawings.
You could turn all of those little pieces of artwork into a quilt.
It would make a wonderfully personalised keepsake.
Make Bags and Other Sewing Projects – Thread Painting Leaves
You could also turn the finished fabric into bags, pouches or many other projects.
Once the thread painting is complete, it is simply a piece of fabric that you can use however you like.
Thread Painting Leaves Tips for Beginners
Start With a Simple Design
Don’t start with something incredibly complicated.
A simple leaf and vine design is perfect.
Once you become more comfortable, you can try flowers, animals, names or children’s drawings.
Don’t Aim for Perfect Stitching – Thread Painting Leaves
Remember that the sketchy appearance is part of the charm.
Your lines don’t need to be perfect.
You can go over them several times.
You can make mistakes.
You can allow the stitching to wander.
Experiment With Thread Colours – Thread Painting Leaves
Although I love black thread for Thread Painting Leaves, you can experiment with other colours.
Try green for a botanical effect.
Try bright colours for children’s artwork.
Or use several different colours throughout one design.
Practise Before Starting a Large Project
If you are nervous about free-motion sewing, practise on a scrap piece of fabric first.
Try making curves.
Try serpentine lines.
Try circles.
Then move onto your actual project when you feel ready.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thread Painting Leaves
Is Thread Painting Leaves difficult?
No. Thread Painting Leaves is a very approachable technique, particularly if you are new to free-motion sewing.
The drawn design gives you something to follow, and the messy style means you don’t have to worry about perfect stitching.
What sewing machine can I use?
For this demonstration, I am using my Baby Lock Soprano.
However, you don’t necessarily need the same machine.
You need a machine that is suitable for free-motion sewing and has the appropriate foot and settings.
Always check your machine’s instructions before changing the settings.
What thread do you recommend?
I personally like Glide thread for Thread Painting Leaves.
I particularly like black because it gives the finished project a sketchy, drawn appearance.
Do I have to follow the lines exactly? – Thread Painting Leaves
Absolutely not!
In fact, I prefer not to.
Going over the lines several times and allowing the stitching to be a little messy creates the look I want.
What can I make with the finished fabric?
You can make almost anything you would normally make from fabric.
Try a zipper pouch, cushion, bag or quilt.
You could also create personalised gifts using children’s drawings.
Final Thoughts on Thread Painting Leaves
I hope this Thread Painting Leaves tutorial has shown you how you can take something very simple and turn it into something much more interesting.
You don’t need to be an expert at free-motion quilting.
You don’t need to have perfect control.
And you don’t need to worry about every line being exactly right.
In fact, I think the messy stitching is what makes this technique so much fun.
Thread Painting Leaves gives you the opportunity to practise your free-motion movements in a relaxed way while creating something that you can actually use.
Start with a simple drawing.
Choose your favourite thread.
Lower your feed dogs, attach your free-motion quilting foot and start stitching.
Don’t worry if you make mistakes.
Don’t worry if your lines aren’t perfect.
Just keep going and see where the stitching takes you.
Once you have finished, you can turn your fabric into a zipper pouch, cushion, bag or even a whole quilt.
And if you have children or grandchildren, why not let them create the drawings?
Their artwork could become something that you can keep forever.
I hope you have found this Thread Painting Leaves tutorial useful and that it has inspired you to give free-motion sewing a try.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I have over 500 sewing and quilting tutorials available, with plenty more projects to inspire your next sewing adventure.
Happy sewing!
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