Stitch Outside the Lines: Vincent van Gogh
Kit Instructions
1. Intro
This kit is all about letting loose and having fun. Stitch outside the lines to create your own version of Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece!
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My kits are designed to replicate the experience of an in-person workshop, where everyone makes their own unique artwork. I include extra materials so you can practice and experiment. I also include multiple templates and design ideas, so you can decide what you'd like to make. I like working with people 1 on 1 to bring their ideas to life - so if you run into any trouble, please shoot me an email or DM me on instagram and I'd love to help.
Happy stitching!
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- Shannon Quigley
Image of Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Wheat Field with Cypresses’, painted in 1889, has been used with permission as part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Open Access Collection.
2. Embroidery Basics
Do you have a question about embroidery? Is there a video you'd like to see here that doesn't exist yet? Please email me at shannon@creativeconfidence.ca - I would love to hear from you!
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You can also sign up for newsletters (scroll to the bottom of this page) to find out about free 'stitching hour' virtual workshops and ask questions live!
3. Warm Up Exercises
Exercise one:
Experiment with stitches on your test fabric
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Why do this? ​
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Find out which stitches you enjoy doing. Some may look cool, but will drive you crazy. Others just 'click' and you'll want to use them for everything!
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Be bold and experimental! Combine stitches and colours to discover different ways to fill in and outline shapes.
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Practice how the stitches work without worrying about how they look.
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How to do this:
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Check out stitch tutorials (work in progress) or the Royal School of Needlework RSN Stitchbank for stitch instructions.
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Look at stitch videos and stitch diagrams for ideas of what stitches you'd like to try.
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Try using the same stitch in different ways by changing:
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The number of threads you use (to create thick and thin lines)
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The size of your stitches (to play with scale)
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The density (put stitches close together, and then farther apart to create shading)
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If you have two embroidery hoops, you can go back and forth between your test fabric and your project fabric as you work.
Exercise two:
Do a blind Contour Drawing of the painting​
Why do this? ​
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It’s a fun exercise to get the creative juices flowing.
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A quick blind contour drawing helps you identify the big shapes in the painting, which can help you decide how to stitch them.
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Drawing encourages you to look more carefully at the painting.
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How to do this:
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Get a piece of paper and a pencil, pen, marker, crayon, or whatever drawing tool you have handy.
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Draw the painting - without looking at your paper. Keep your eyes on the image and don't look at your drawing until you're done.
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Do a couple if you feel like it!
4. Stitch Your Painting
So you've checked out embroidery basics, you've tested out some stitches, and you've had a good look at the painting. You're ready to go!
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Hoop up your fabric and start stitching. This is your piece, and you can stitch it any way you like! There's no wrong way to do it. You can choose to:
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Watch the stitch videos below, or dive right in.
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Use lots of different stitches, or pick your favourite stitch and use it for the whole project.
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Leave lots of the fabric showing, or cover it up with stitches. If you want to fill in large areas, make sure to split your threads into 2 or 3 strands (instead of using all 6) so you don't run out of thread.
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Stick to what's there, or add imaginative details like a sunset, a picnic, a UFO, or anything you can think of!
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Use only the materials in the kit, or add threads, beads, and fabrics from your stash for a personal touch.
It's completely up to you!
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Stitch Videos:
Get ideas for which stitches to use
I've broken the painting into three parts and made videos for: the clouds, the trees, and the grasses. I've included lots of different stitch ideas for each section so you can 'choose your own adventure'. Scroll down to view labelled stitch diagrams for the example pieces.
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I've used wacky colours in these videos so the stitches are easier to see.
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For detailed instructions on how to do these stitches, please check out my stitch tutorials (work in progress) or visit the Royal School of Needlework RSN stitchbank.
Stitch Video 1: Clouds
Stitch Video 2: Trees
Stitch Video 3: Grasses and Wheat
Timelapse
Stitch Diagrams:
5. Frame Your Finished Work
Frame it using the hoop in your kit​
6. Take a picture and add it to the online gallery!
I would absolutely love to see what you create!
Send in a photo to share your work and inspire fellow stitchers.
How?
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Email a photo to shannon@creativeconfidence.ca
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Or DM me on instagram @creativeconfidence.ca (If you have a public profile you can tag me, but if your profile is private I can't see your photos even if I'm tagged).
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If you like, include a few words along with your photo to go in the gallery. It's great to hear a bit about how you made your piece - what stitches you used, or what inspired your design.
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Let me know if you'd like your name to appear in the gallery or your instagram handle. The default option is to have no name written. I won't post any names or instagram info without permission. Thank you!
