Needle sculpture gives an added dimension to all needlework bringing the chosen subjects more depth, and in the case of animals and birds seem to make them alive. The effects are produced by a mixture of established stitching such as raised embroidery and Stumpwork. Instead of the general use of padding with one or more layers of fabric, needle sculpture is layered fabric with some padding. Thus the sculpture is formed.

The overall effect relies on a thorough study of the subject first, so drawings are made together with close-ups and various angles. After studying all these "help aids", the view and style required are selected and a detailed end drawing is made. Two copies of this are needed, one for a working example and one for cutting into pattern pieces.

To make a cat the areas to be padded aredefined, then work can begin.
The nose is drawn on a double layer of cotton or calico and this fabric placed in an embroidery frame. To increase the depth of the centre felt is tacked into place. Silks or stranded embroidery cottons are now worked over the felt, overlapping somewhat onto the backing fabric. Fill in the face with split long and short stitches and use French knots for the whisker follicles.

Next, this first embroidered section is cut out with a 1cm edge and snips in the corners. Two more layers of fabric are put into the frame and the rest of the animal's face is drawn on for guidance using the second copy cut into relevant templates. The eyes are drawn first as these then become markers for the rest of the facial features. Depending on how the cat is to look, one or two layers of wadding are tacked to the reverse of the worked piece (nose) and this is then attached to the wadding by turning under the 1cm edge and slip-stitching the whole piece onto the drawn features on the frame fabric.

Working into the padded area and the new backing fabric, stitching is continued in split long and short stitch using the chosen colours to define any markings of the animal. Work the eyes in satin stitch and then lengthen the stitches towards the outer areas of the face to simulate the longer neck and head fur. Work the ears separately and then apply onto the face as was the nose. Apply a second layer then to form the thicker outside of the ears. Use darker thread and split long and short stitch, having used lighter thread for the wispy hair inside the ears.

Now using a much larger embroidery frame, put in a layer of calico for the background plus your chosen fabric which will create trees or other scenes. This is now wadded with up to three layers depending on the amount you wish to raise and tack this to the reverse. Slip stitch this to the fabric, tucking the border edge neatly and tightly out of sight. The tacking stitch must be removed as the top stitching will not hide this as before. Any plain calico showing can be hidden by appropriate stitching in matching thread. If required, a part of the animal's body can be added to finish off the picture.

Now you can add character to the face by using stabbing stitches, this can make your animal sad, cheeky or just plain cute. A box-frame will now be required to protect the needle sculpture from dust and prodding fingers.

Below are some more examples of Needle Sculpture