The Dragon

The Dragon is an experiment in applique and needlework.  My first step was to work it in collage which was useful to decide the placing of the layers and gives a good impression of the image I want to create.

The collage version

 I then traced the design onto tracing paper, punched holes along the outline and transferred it onto the background fabric using a silver gel pen. I started by adding the flames under his jaw, these were first stuck to interfacing so the background colour didn't show through. Then I used fabric glue to attach the pieces to the background fabric.  The fun part is adding the embroidery flames, in stem stitch, to give a more dynamic impression.  I stitched the bottom part of his tongue, again in stem stitch, but left the top half until after the dragon's face fabric is attached.  The next stage was attaching the flames at the back of his head and on top of that his white horns. 

The project so far, the background is a darker blue than on the photo.

The next step will be more stem stitch flames and an outline around the horns.