REALISTIC 3D BUTTERFLY EMBROIDERY ART
BY LOU MADHU
…EVERY UNQIUE PIECE IS HANDMADE IN LONDON FROM THREAD AND WIRE
HOW ARE THEY MADE?
Each 3D butterfly embroidery art piece takes 15 hours+ using a freehand threading painting embroidery technique. The butterfly wings are made to an accurate size according to the particular species so that the final piece looks just like the real thing.
Scroll down for more detail on the handmade process…
THE WINGS
I start by sculpting a thin wire frame for each individual butterfly wing, which I then embroider with a single strand of cotton thread. Working from several photographs as reference, I use a free hand embroidery technique with multiple colours to capture the stunning detail of the species.
THE BODY
Once the wings are finished, I begin to sculpt the butterflies body using felt and couching methods which I then cover with cotton thread, again observing photographs to get the detail as close to the real thing as possible.
THE FINAL PIECE
Once the individual 3D embroidered butterfly wings have been secured around the body, I mount the whole butterfly onto a foam board backing and secure using traditional upholstery techniques. The mounted piece is then framed in a deep box frame ready for its new home! Check out my Etsy shop to buy now.