The Koi and a Turkey Preview!

Here is the Profile Shot of this wonderful Koi:

Isn't the height and depth Fantastic?

AS promised, The directions follow:

Step 1:  Assemble Your Supplies.

 The supplies used are: 

1.) Orange sewing thread.(I use either, Molnlycke or Gutermann)

2.) Two shades of 4mm Orange Silk Ribbon.

(I used River Silks #101 & #12)

3.)  A small strip of Orange Felt...any shade will do.

4.) DMC Memory Thread...Orange

5.) Sparkle in Orange from Sundance Designs

6.) A size 24 Tapestry Needle, and a Sharp sewing needle.

Step 2: Cut pieces.

 Cut  3 " lengths of both Memory Thread and Sparkle 

Step 3, 4 & 5: Start the assembly process

Step 3: With the Memory thread, shape your outline for the Koi.

If using the painted canvas..., lay the thread on the painted image,

bending and molding to conform to the outermost shape of the Koi body.

Step 4: Pinch and twist one end of the sparkle thread and tie it firmly with

the sewing thread...leave a good 2 thread tails of 3 inches each.

Step 5: Roll and shape the felt to size of Koi body, then stuff the felt shape 

down the open end of the tube.

Step 6: Attach to canvas 

(In the photo below, I worked in the margin in order to take this shot...

and clearly show how the step looks) 

Lay the pinched end of the tube on painted image, pulling the thread tails 

through and tie down to canvas.  Now, lay the Memory thread shape over 

the top and start to tack down in place.  As you are tacking, catch in the 

sides and edges of the Sparkle stuffed tube.  

(Don't be afraid to really 

smash and mold this into the fish body shape you desire.) 

Cross the lengths of Memory thread over each other at base of fish body, 

smashing the tube flat against the canvas, tacking all in place.  

Curl the excess lengths of Memory thread around a laying tool 

into an elongated spiral.

To Finish:  Ribbon Stitch and Trim

Add Japanese Ribbon Stitches to create dorsal fins at top 

& pectoral fins at bottom. 

The Ribbon stitches for tail should fit around and 

behind the end of the tube.  Trim the Spirals to length of painted 

tail.  Trim the tube to same length.  

Add a black seed bead for fish eye.

To create the Koi 'whiskers', use sharp embroidery scissors. 

 Trim out all of the foil & metallic fibers of tube at 'mouth'.

Trim the remaining hard fibers of tube to desired length.

And that is our Koi!

And now for a few sneak peeks at our Handsome Tom Turkey:

On that Note,

I bid you adieu.

Happy Stitching, one and all!