Designing fabric portaits/quilts using photoshop

I saw some quilts that looked like photographs and was fascinated with the concept. I did some searching online as well as purchased a book and ended up combining ideas for my own use. I decided to document the steps I used for a small wall hanging so other could see how easy it actually is.
This is the original photo

Step 1 Crop the photo

I used the cropping tool to get the composition I like.

Comments

[yvettem]

I'd like to demonstrate this technique to my quilt guild. How much of a seam allowance did you use? Once you started the piece how long until it was finished?

[dulciquilt]

The seam allowance varies depending on technique, but usually between 1/8" and 1/16". It also depends on whether you're doing needle turn or machine applique. Some folks like a wider satin stitch, some prefer as narrow as possible. Another thing would be if you are turning under the edge before machine stitching or using fusible and going over the raw edge. The photoshop part can take just a few minutes if you like the early results, but if you really start fiddling it can take a couple hours. I didn't work straight through on this project, so I'm not sure how long it took, but I had the wall hanging of the little girl finished in about 2 weeks. I believe I finished the horse in about 2 days, working all day and into the evening. I hope this helps, feel free to ask if you need more info.

[yvettem]

Attached is the picture I want to do in fabric. I probably need more definition in the face for contrast. I plan to turn under the edge before machine stitching. Now, once I make the pattern, number the pieces and fuse in place what kind of stitches should I use? Invisible thread? I don't want the face to look like Frankenstein.

[dulciquilt]

OK, it looks like you used the 'find edges' If you used layers and still have the original pic, you can reduce the opacity of this layer and see a little more of the colors and features.
Since you'll be turning under the edges, invisible thread is ok or you can try to match the color of each fabric. I would use either a very narrow zigzag with slightly longer length_{, zig on applique piece, zag on background, or do same thing with a blind stitch. Some say the blind stitch is less noticeable.}
Just take it slow, especially around corners and curves. I often turn the wheel by hand doing one stitch at a time in tricky areas.
I haven't tried it yet, but some like to use very tiny dots of Elmer's school glue to hold the folded edge in place. make sure it's School Glue as it washes out. This is basically what is in the Roxanne glue bottle.
Adorable pic, BTW.

[yvettem]

OK, I'll hold my breath while doing this. This is the original picture. I know babies don't have much definition (contrast) in their skin tone. I have the Roxanne glue and it works well.

[dulciquilt]

sorry i didn't respond earlier, but had a busy day. i played around with the photo some and here are my results. First, I increased the contrast, then duplicated the layer and changed the new layer to multiply and reduced its opacity to about 50% and merged both layers. I then made 2 more duplicates of the new picture. On one layer, I used photo edges filter. I forgot which level, but think it was in in the mid range, and reduced opacity to 56%. Then I clicked on the eye icon to close that layer whilr I owrked on the next one. Next on the second duplicate, I chose cutout filter at about level 5 or 6 and reduced opacity to 49%, then clicked on the previous layer for the finished pic. I hope this helps.

[GorillazMiko]

That's awesome! Really cool job, the last picture looks really nice after the process of changing it. Is this possible on a PC?

[dulciquilt]

Yes, any computer will work. Photoshop is made for windows and mac. Other graphics programs can be used as well. Some people take the photo to a copy shop and have them copy it in lower resolution to break down the shapes. One quilt artist traces the shapes directly from original photo, but I didn't do very well with that.

[GorillazMiko]

Oh. I didn't realize that it was Photoshop. :P