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series 2400

InstructIons

Make the pattern1. Choose your pet photo (see “Start

with a Great Photo” for tips). Crop

the photo, centering the head, then

enlarge it to “fit to page” and print in

color. (figure 1)

2. Using a black fine tip marker, trace

the pet’s outline, the changes in

color and value, and the shadows

and highlights. Really look at the

photo as you draw and think about

making enclosed shapes as these

translate to pattern pieces cut in

fabric.

3. Take the tracing to a local print

shop and enlarge it to approximately

18" x 22" (or to the size you want

to work) and print it in black and

white. Add more details if required

especially around the eyes. This is

your pattern. (figure 2)

Note: You can create a “line only” pattern

if you prefer by tracing the marked lines

on a separate piece of paper.

Raw-edge Fabric Collage: Pet Portraitsby Jane Haworth

Sponsored by Bernina of America and eQuilter.com

Materials• Color photo of pet

• Fine tip permanent marker, black

• Lightweight interfacing

• Fabric for collage, background, and

backing

• Pencil or chalk marking tool

• Fabric glue with fine applicator

Host Susan Brubaker Knapp and quilt artist Jane Haworth

figure 1

figure 2

Start with a Great Photo

Choosing the right photo makes all the difference. Here are some tips I used for finding the best shot to make my quilt, “Tilly.”

• Focus: Use a photo with sharp focus for best results.

• Value: Contrast between the dark and light area of a pet’s face make the process easier. A black dog is much trickier but it can be done.

• Crop: Remove unnecessary background or body from the image and focus your portrait on the head.

• Angle: Profiles and turned heads make interesting compositions.

• Eyes: These are the focal point of the quilt and are important to get right.

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series 2400

Create the collage1. Position the interfacing over the

image and lightly tape it down onto

the paper. As you work, everything

will be glued to the interfacing that

acts as a stabilizer.

2. Start with the eyes, and then move

to other areas. For the eyes, you will

be cutting and layering circles in a

variety of fabrics. I advise 2 colors in

the iris, a black pupil, a dark outline

around the eye, and a white or light

highlight. Choose your fabric and cut

it to a workable size. Place it over the

shape to be cut and, using a pencil or

chalk marking tool, trace the shape

onto the fabric. I do this by marking

a small line, then lifting the fabric

slightly to see the line below and

then marking the line on top. Cut out

this shape and put it in place. Repeat

with the remaining pieces in the eye.

(figure 3)

3. When you are happy with the layers

of the eye, glue them together (just a

small amount is required, as you will

later stitch over the pieces).

4. Continue to build the collage around

the eyes working toward the nose.

As you trace and cut larger areas,

remember these will tuck under other

shapes, so cut a small allowance on

1 side and then glue them together.

(figure 4)

figure 3

“Tilly” • 21" x 24"

figure 4

Fabulous Fabrics

For these pet portraits, exaggerating the contrast is key. Include dark, medium, and light fabrics. The more variety the better—solids, tone-on-tone, small prints, and batiks can all be used. Fussy-cut motifs can add unexpected fun.

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series 2400

5. Continue working on the ears

and finally the neck. Remember

that details such as whiskers and

eyelashes can be stitched later using

thread.

6. For the body, cut larger pieces and

then free cut details of the fur texture.

Layer these in a variety of colors.

When you are happy with the pieces,

glue them in place. (figure 5)

Tip: Taking photos as you go and looking

at the reduced image on your phone lets

you really “see” the composition.

7. When you are finished, check that

all the fabric is glued down so not to

get caught up when stitching.

Tip: The black-and-white photo is useful

for seeing where shading is needed. If you

get stuck, look to your darkest and lightest

areas and cut those. Then work back,

using pieces in medium values to create a

blended look.

Finishing1. Trim away the extra interfacing

and preview the portrait on

various background fabrics. Using

glue attach the portrait to the

background. (figure 6)

2. Layer the quilt top with batting and a

backing fabric. Press the 3 layers and

then baste. Prepare to free-motion

quilt the collage. For areas like the

eyes, nostrils, and snout, match the

thread and simply stitch around the

fabric shapes. For larger areas, use a

variegated thread to blend and add

color to the fur. For short hair the

stitch motion will be small, and for

long hair stitch use more sweeping

stitch patterns.

3. Free-motion quilt the background,

and then bind or face the edge to

complete the quilt.

janehaworth.com

figure 5

figure 6

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