Create a decorative pattern of circles on a painted surface with embroidery floss wrapped around small sections of wood. Decorative artist Christy Crafton explains how to do this easy project. Materials:
Wooden project piece
Paint
Acrylic paint in accent color
Paint stir-stick
Embroidery floss
Scissors
Masking tape
Paper toweling
Deep plastic plate
- Apply a base coat of paint to the piece. Our project begins with a small dresser with red drawers and blue trim. The thread-painted circle pattern will be added to the red drawers.
- To make a paint-patterning tool, cut a paint stir-stick into small sections. We cut ours 1 1/2" long to create a pattern of 3" circles. The length of the section determines the radius of the circle. Wrap embroidery floss around the section, wrapping a few threads closely at the end and then spacing the rest as you like. The threads will transfer the paint, so the way they're wrapped will determine the pattern they produce. Secure the threads in the middle of the tool with a piece of masking tape (figure A).
- Dilute a small amount of paint with water in a deep plastic plate, mixing about three parts paint to one part water. If the paint begins to thicken as you're working, add a bit more water to keep the consistency fairly thin.
- Dip one thread-covered edge of the tool in paint, and tap it lightly on paper toweling to remove drips. Position the tool on the project surface, and pivot it to form a circle (figure B). Apply more pressure to the ends, which form the middle and outer edges of the painted circles. You'll probably have to stop about three times to reposition your hand when creating the circles, but don't lift the tool when you stop. Cover the entire surface with as many circles as you like.
Note: - Each new tool should be conditioned, so make a few circles on a practice surface before working on your project piece.
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