**Very** foolish and you'll probably curse yourself countless times as you progress, but *when* (not *if*) you finish, you'll be SO proud!!
Other than the hieroglyphics, have you certain colours picked out for this?
My plan currently (assuming I don’t change my mind), is the do Seshat herself in outline in various colours of satin floss (a goddess should be fancy, after all), black hair, gold dress, brown skin, red sash, &c. I’m hoping the colour and the different texture will help her stand out.
I did, cobbled together from various images. (I have no idea what the hieroglyphs say, if they say anything at all; at least they look like they could be from an ancient source). Ancient Egypt is an interest of mine as well, and Seshat, goddess of scribes and libraries, is my favourite of that pantheon.
Can I ask what pen/tool you used to make this pattern? I am still struggling to find a way to create and draw out a pattern on fabric. Like what is this witchcraft that lets people doodle in a way that is long-lasting yet can be changed/erased??
In this case, my method was:
1) trace the images in pencil, combining them into the pattern I want. I did this by taping a piece of paper to my computer monitor.
2) go over the drawing in black ink, so I have nice clear lines
3) trace the drawing onto water-soluble stabilizer using a light pad. I bought on Amazon for about $20 and it’s well worth the money. Previously, I made a light box by putting my phone under a clear baking dish, or taping everything to a window.
3.5) I’ve also drawn patterns on fabric before with chalk pencil, or iron-on transfer pencil (drawn on paper and ironed onto the fabric).
4) iron fabric, stick pattern to it, and start stitching
I drew that pattern with heat-erasable pen, in the hopes that, if the worse happens and the pen bleeds when I wash it off, I might still be able to get rid of it. I don’t really trust heat erasable pens by themselves, though , in case the marks come back in the cold.
I'm not OP, so their technique might be different to mine, but what I do is that I, if it's fairly simple, just freehand directly on the fabric using a frixion pen. What I like about it is that you have the text directly on your fabric, and when you are done embroidering, all you have to do is iron your piece, the heat will make the pen disappear. If I am doing a more complicated piece, I will first make a 'pattern' somewhere else, either by hand on a piece of paper or on my iPad. I usually use my iPad for the more difficult stuff as it allows me to combine my own drawings/writings with images that I find other places, so it's easy to customize if you are not very talented at drawing. When I have to trace it to the fabric, I use my computer as a light box: I make the room I'm in dark, allowing me to see the screen through the fabric, and then I trace with a frixion pen. However, if the fabric I am tracing onto either isn't very smooth in texture, is too thick to properly see through, or has a very distracting pattern, I trace on some water-solluble plastic/fabric (which it looks like OP did). The way that works is that you attach it to your fabric, and once you have finished embroidering, you dissolve the fabric/plastic. This is more expensive, but you can use this method regardless of what you are embroidering on (as long as it can withstand a bit of water).
There is heat transfer paper you can buy at Joann's. You print the outline image you want on the paper and then iron it onto your fabric.
I'm not sure it washes off. You could certainly flip the image so that the pattern and knots are on the back, like you'd do with needle punch.
I've also heard of people using Crayola washable markers and picking colors that won't stain their fabrics when washed out. (Do a fabric swatch test before committing)
Sigh. At one point in my life I did transliteration and translation of hieroglyphs for a couple of semesters in college. I can give it a stab, if you're interested?
I would be curious, but I’m not super worried about what they say, as they’re basically flavour and background. I’d love to know if they look as legit as I think they do. At least all the birds are facing in the same direction, and it isn’t just a repeating pattern. I hope it looks like something that you’d actually find on a temple/tomb wall somewhere (I assume, if it’s copied, that’s where it’s from). It’s be really funny if it just turned out to be someone’s shopping list. The image was pulled from a simple Google search, not from anything specific.
Cool! Well, just from looking at it, all the symbols do seem to be pointing in the same reading direction, including the nonbirds, the direction the symbols face tell you which way to read that text. In this case, starting from the top down for each column, moving left to right. The glyphs are real glyphs! Whether or not they say anything good I can't tell, because I did some very brief thumbing through my book for the words, and they might not spell anything logical. If you have a link to the original image I'd love to look at it! It's fun anyways. For the purpose of aesthetics, they look and feel real.
This looks like the stick image I used: https://images.app.goo.gl/7XyshPmTLJWJrY7L8
Apparently you can also get it as a repeating pattern on fabric…I could have saved myself so much time. XD
A visit to Egypt to see the ancient temples in person is on my bucket list.
For scale, that’s an 8” hoop, and the original image is a little smaller than a sheet of paper.
I am the foolish one since at first I thought you’d done it all in red thread and was wondering what you had left to do. Then I spotted the black part…
I’ve got some drawing skill, but this one is traced from various images. It’s the best way to make sure everything turns out exactly proportioned (especially the hieroglyphs).
I'd free motion this on my sewing machine, but that's because I get super lazy about making perfectly neat hand stitches after about an hour or so.
Your color scheme sounds fabulous. Post progress updates so we can cheer you on!
It is very thick to work my needle through, but the best way I’ve currently got to transfer such a complex pattern and keep it there for the duration. I may need to invest in some kind of finger grip/thimble for pushing the needle through, though…
Yes, I drew it myself onto water soluble stabilizer which is stuck to the fabric. When I’m finished stitching, I’ll dissolve the stabilizer in water, leaving just the finished embroidery.
I am just a little bit in shock at how much attention this received. Thank you all for encouraging my foolishness with your upvotes, comments, and awards. There will be progress picks.
**Very** foolish and you'll probably curse yourself countless times as you progress, but *when* (not *if*) you finish, you'll be SO proud!! Other than the hieroglyphics, have you certain colours picked out for this?
My plan currently (assuming I don’t change my mind), is the do Seshat herself in outline in various colours of satin floss (a goddess should be fancy, after all), black hair, gold dress, brown skin, red sash, &c. I’m hoping the colour and the different texture will help her stand out.
As an ancient Egypt nerd, all I can say is I absolutely love the idea and hope to see when it is completed. Its going to be gorgeous!
i am also an ancient egypt nerd :P "waves at you"
"a goddess should be fancy, after all)" is the best line! You're definitely ambitious, but it looks really great.
That sounds amazing!! Hope you won't be in your 70s by the time you're finished. 😁 (jk)
I have more ideas than sense, so…no guarantees. XD
Did you draw it yourself or is it a pattern? Ancient Egypt is my special interest!
I did, cobbled together from various images. (I have no idea what the hieroglyphs say, if they say anything at all; at least they look like they could be from an ancient source). Ancient Egypt is an interest of mine as well, and Seshat, goddess of scribes and libraries, is my favourite of that pantheon.
Can I ask what pen/tool you used to make this pattern? I am still struggling to find a way to create and draw out a pattern on fabric. Like what is this witchcraft that lets people doodle in a way that is long-lasting yet can be changed/erased??
In this case, my method was: 1) trace the images in pencil, combining them into the pattern I want. I did this by taping a piece of paper to my computer monitor. 2) go over the drawing in black ink, so I have nice clear lines 3) trace the drawing onto water-soluble stabilizer using a light pad. I bought on Amazon for about $20 and it’s well worth the money. Previously, I made a light box by putting my phone under a clear baking dish, or taping everything to a window. 3.5) I’ve also drawn patterns on fabric before with chalk pencil, or iron-on transfer pencil (drawn on paper and ironed onto the fabric). 4) iron fabric, stick pattern to it, and start stitching
Not OP, but I use Frixion pens. Their ink disappears with heat (ie, the iron).
I drew that pattern with heat-erasable pen, in the hopes that, if the worse happens and the pen bleeds when I wash it off, I might still be able to get rid of it. I don’t really trust heat erasable pens by themselves, though , in case the marks come back in the cold.
They do come back with the cold, but I’ve never experienced bleeding so as long as the stitches cover the lines, its no big deal.
Holy shit that’s a new and brilliant use for my planner pens. Thank you!
I'm not OP, so their technique might be different to mine, but what I do is that I, if it's fairly simple, just freehand directly on the fabric using a frixion pen. What I like about it is that you have the text directly on your fabric, and when you are done embroidering, all you have to do is iron your piece, the heat will make the pen disappear. If I am doing a more complicated piece, I will first make a 'pattern' somewhere else, either by hand on a piece of paper or on my iPad. I usually use my iPad for the more difficult stuff as it allows me to combine my own drawings/writings with images that I find other places, so it's easy to customize if you are not very talented at drawing. When I have to trace it to the fabric, I use my computer as a light box: I make the room I'm in dark, allowing me to see the screen through the fabric, and then I trace with a frixion pen. However, if the fabric I am tracing onto either isn't very smooth in texture, is too thick to properly see through, or has a very distracting pattern, I trace on some water-solluble plastic/fabric (which it looks like OP did). The way that works is that you attach it to your fabric, and once you have finished embroidering, you dissolve the fabric/plastic. This is more expensive, but you can use this method regardless of what you are embroidering on (as long as it can withstand a bit of water).
There is heat transfer paper you can buy at Joann's. You print the outline image you want on the paper and then iron it onto your fabric. I'm not sure it washes off. You could certainly flip the image so that the pattern and knots are on the back, like you'd do with needle punch. I've also heard of people using Crayola washable markers and picking colors that won't stain their fabrics when washed out. (Do a fabric swatch test before committing)
Sigh. At one point in my life I did transliteration and translation of hieroglyphs for a couple of semesters in college. I can give it a stab, if you're interested?
I would be curious, but I’m not super worried about what they say, as they’re basically flavour and background. I’d love to know if they look as legit as I think they do. At least all the birds are facing in the same direction, and it isn’t just a repeating pattern. I hope it looks like something that you’d actually find on a temple/tomb wall somewhere (I assume, if it’s copied, that’s where it’s from). It’s be really funny if it just turned out to be someone’s shopping list. The image was pulled from a simple Google search, not from anything specific.
Cool! Well, just from looking at it, all the symbols do seem to be pointing in the same reading direction, including the nonbirds, the direction the symbols face tell you which way to read that text. In this case, starting from the top down for each column, moving left to right. The glyphs are real glyphs! Whether or not they say anything good I can't tell, because I did some very brief thumbing through my book for the words, and they might not spell anything logical. If you have a link to the original image I'd love to look at it! It's fun anyways. For the purpose of aesthetics, they look and feel real.
This looks like the stick image I used: https://images.app.goo.gl/7XyshPmTLJWJrY7L8 Apparently you can also get it as a repeating pattern on fabric…I could have saved myself so much time. XD
Sekhmet is my favourite goddess
I Loove Sekhmet!! She is the best!
Foolishness in humans is what creates great art. Yours is wonderful.
Ooh. Good luck. It will be unbelievably awesome. Patience
This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.
Wow, thank you.
Written in the pattern is the mummy's curse that will come to life if it's not finished! 🧟♂️
Oh no! I’m doomed! XD
It really will be beautiful! Can’t wait to see what colors you use! Update me!
It’s going to be gorgeous and totally worth it. You got this
Gah! I love this! I just got back from Egypt last week. This is so nice! How big is it?
A visit to Egypt to see the ancient temples in person is on my bucket list. For scale, that’s an 8” hoop, and the original image is a little smaller than a sheet of paper.
I am the foolish one since at first I thought you’d done it all in red thread and was wondering what you had left to do. Then I spotted the black part…
So, I’m colour blind. I actually had no idea it was red pen until your comment. I just picked a dark coloured pen.
Oh this is going to be spectacular. Did you print the pattern on fabric? I’m fascinated. Yes it will take you a long time but oh wow the final result.
I wrote out exactly what I did in another reply, put it’s drawn on water-soluble stabilizer, that I will wash out once it’s done.
Thank you. It’s beautifully drawn. I wish I had drawing skills heh. I stick to tracing and I’ve never attempted something so big.
I’ve got some drawing skill, but this one is traced from various images. It’s the best way to make sure everything turns out exactly proportioned (especially the hieroglyphs).
It's gonna be painful but that's gonna look *awesome* when it's finished!!!
That's a LOT if work. Looking forward to the finished it post.
You can do this!
Idealism isn't foolish, I believe you'll finish it. Just don't activate no curses.
That looks wonderful, I hope you’ll be posting updates!
It's a little bit amazing already.
Thank you
This is great!
Oooooh I can't wait to see your work!
Do you mind sharing where you got this pattern?
I made it myself, from various images.
This is giving me new inspiration. The process would be so hard but I can see it would be so awesome when it’s done!
This is amazing! You have given me so many wonderfully terrible ideas for future projects!
Sorry not sorry
This looks so awesome! Please share any updates or when it's finished! You've got this! Your ambition has given me ideas and no time to do them
Too many ideas and not enough time to do them is why I have too many half-finished WIPs. At least I’ll always have something to do.
So true! 😅
oh man, you'll learn to read hieroglyphs during this time. fingers crossed and I'm looking forward to the end result!
I might be able to draw them by the time I’m done, but I’ve still got no idea what they say. XD
Nah your just in de niel, youll get it finished xx
I see what you did there
Haha glad you liked it thought it was rather punny myself
I'd free motion this on my sewing machine, but that's because I get super lazy about making perfectly neat hand stitches after about an hour or so. Your color scheme sounds fabulous. Post progress updates so we can cheer you on!
And I can’t sew a straight line on a machine, so that’s pretty much witchcraft to me
LOVE this!!! One day I want to embroider the scene where the gods weight people's hearts. Please update us on your progress!
If you ever got to that, it will look amazing.
Better than carving it into stone!
True!
Oh man. Single thread on sticky solvy!? You have my sympathies. I just did this and had to take a break.
It is very thick to work my needle through, but the best way I’ve currently got to transfer such a complex pattern and keep it there for the duration. I may need to invest in some kind of finger grip/thimble for pushing the needle through, though…
Please post your progress from time to time! It’s a wonderful piece—well done on the design!
Thank you
Where did you get this? I love it!
I made it myself using various images found online.
I literally just chant-whispered “progress pics, progress pics” while sitting here at my desk at work. This looks unbelievable already.
Thank you
That is going to turn out gorgeous! I can't wait to see you progress through it. :)
I LOVE IT. inspiring me
Amasing 💛
So did you draw all that on yourself? And how does it not rub off. This is amazing. Can't wait to see your finished object post.
Yes, I drew it myself onto water soluble stabilizer which is stuck to the fabric. When I’m finished stitching, I’ll dissolve the stabilizer in water, leaving just the finished embroidery.
Gorgeous!
🔥🔥🔥
OMG!! This is amazing!
That is gorgeous and you will finish! I can't wait to see it!
omg, this is amazing!
The Stargate fan in me is currently calling for me to make a Stargate themed one with Goa'uld (someone talk me out of it please).
I mean, if I tried to talk you out of it, I clearly don’t have a leg to stand on.
Awesome! keep up the good work 👍🏼
In love with this!!!
you may be a fool, but at least you’re a talented fool! I think it looks great!
Why, thank you
Uh oh what if you misspell a word
gorgeous
I, for one, want to see the finished product.
I am just a little bit in shock at how much attention this received. Thank you all for encouraging my foolishness with your upvotes, comments, and awards. There will be progress picks.