How it's made

Dye Layer Stitch

Each landscape moves through four stages, all worked by hand in the studio.

Stack of hand-dyed double gauze in periwinkle, cornflower blue, sage green and plum, on the grass
Hand-dyed cotton double gauze
A sunset landscape in progress on the cutting table, raw-edge layers zigzagged down, with seven spools of rayon thread, scissors and a ruler
Work in progress: raw-edge layers, each stitched in its own thread

  1. Dye the cloth

    White cotton and linen go into small batches of fiber-reactive dye, so the color lives in the fiber rather than on the surface. Read the dye notes.

  2. Cut the ridges

    Each mountain layer is traced onto fusible interfacing, fused to its fabric, and the composition is refined before anything is fixed in place.

  3. Stitch it down

    Layers are applied one at a time, back to front, alternating straight and zigzag stitches.

  4. Embellish & finish

    Couched variegated thread for clouds, wool roving under tulle, sequin mesh, French knots on the closest ridges. Each piece is then squared and finished for hanging or framing.

RAW EDGE

A scant ⅛″ edge stitched down flat. It softens over time for a textural, painterly finish.

TURNED EDGE

A ¼″ allowance pressed under before stitching, for a crisp, classic appliqué edge.

Every technique in the pattern is in the Stitch Library.

Video

In the studio

Reels on Instagram and sewing videos on YouTube.

YOUTUBEBasic shoulder shortening

My most-watched video: how to shorten the shoulders for a better fit.

 Halloween cotton print of a startled black cat on orange, the tote bag fabric REELFrench seams on a trick-or-treat tote bag

Clean, enclosed seams with no raw edges inside.

 Asheville City Hall hand embroidered in pink and cream stitches on brown cloth REELSkyline project: hand embroidering Asheville landmarks

Landmark buildings stitched by hand for an upcoming art quilt of the Asheville skyline.

 Ace of Cups art quilt: a hand-dyed yellow cup overflowing with blue yarn above sequin water and lily pads REELAce of Cups: upcycled fabric wall art

An art quilt from the tarot's engagement card: new love and an overflowing heart.

 A navy crinkle toy with a baby triceratops print and ribbon tabs REELEverything I make for baby

Diaper bag, crinkle toys, hoodie towel and changing pad cover.