How to Commission a Stitched Illustration:

Stitched Illustrations
Many people assume that stitched artwork takes months to do and is extremely expensive. Actually, one to four weeks is usually enough time for most projects and I've completed many assignments under much tighter deadlines
(a few days, and even overnight, at times.)

Pricing is based on usage and complexity and is comparable to the styles of more conventional illustration work. Sketches and fabric swatches are part of my procedure and time permitting, the client and art director can have input at several stages of the process. When art directors have a very specific idea of what the finish is to look like, I will follow their sketches. If they want my input at the concept stage, I submit postcard-sized thumbnail sketches. Once the concept is approved, I create the finished sketch, which becomes my blueprint for the final project.

With samplers, I show sketches, fabric swatches, and embroidery threads. In the case of stitched illustrations, art directors can also see a rough fabric paste-up of the project. To complete the stitched artwork, I iron the fabrics, cut the pieces (sometimes as many as several hundred individual pieces), and then stitch them in place with zig-zag stitching on my Bernina sewing machine. Once completed, I have the work photographed by Gamma One Conversions, located in Manhattan.

RoughCuts
As with Commissioned Stitched Illustrations, these pieces start out with concepts, sketches and fabric swatches. However, for the finished illustrations, the chosen fabrics are not ironed and they glued down rather than stitched.

Cut Fabric Illustrations
As with Commissioned Stitched Illustrations, these pieces start out with concepts, sketches and a rough fabric pasteup. However, for the finished illustrations, the fabrics are treated with fusible webbing which glues them down when they are ironed in position.

Soft Sculpture/Mixed Media
As with Commissioned Stitched Illustrations, these pieces start out with concepts, sketches and a rough fabric pasteup. However, the finished illustrations are completed as dimensional sculptures.

Commissioned Hangings and Portraits
I submit sketches, a maquette and fabric swatches. Upon agreement, I then enlarge my sketch, cut the shapes out of the chosen fabrics and sew them into place with a zig-zag stitch onto a backing fabric. On many occasions, I pad the artwork for a quilted effect. I usually stretch the finished artwork on canvas stretchers. However, in some cases, the piece is finished as a quilt that can be displayed hanging from a dowel. My work can also be enlarged and printed onto fabric or vinyl for large scale, billboard sized commissions. As to care and maintenance, some clients frame my work behind glass. For those who leave it unframed, you can do a careful cleaning with a vacuum attachment covered with a clean, porous cloth. I provide clients with an information sheet on maintenance.