Fear of Faces

I have long had a fear of embroidering faces. Remember, I cannot draw.


And stitching a face on a piece of embroidery automatically draws the eye. It's the first place your eye goes...right to the face.

I think, as humans, we're programmed that way. And, when I look at the faces on some of my homemade dolls I've collected...they're very endearing. And I'd much rather see a doll with a face than without one.


Believe me, I am anxious every time I sit down to stitch a face, bu I still plow forward and do it. But stitching Alice and the Mad Hatter almost put me over the edge! So, one of my personal goals is to get more comfortable stitching faces.

Up until now, my technique has been to find an actual picture of a face I'd like to copy...enlarge or shrink on my copier...and then trace it. It works a lot of the time. But I'd like to become a little bit more educated about how to draw/embroider faces.


So I was delighted when I saw that this online course was being offered by Joggles...Hey Doll Face by Judy Skeel. Even though it's about sculpting a doll's head, face and hair...I imagine I will learn many new techniques I might be able to use.

I did find lots of interesting links when exploring my challenge of stitching the human face and all the emotions that go along with it. Most simply, I liked this freebie from kylanicole on Flickr but I think they're a little too simplistic for what I need....


And these freebies from davis.jacque which she uses in making her silly little dolls. But I think these guys might be a little too crazy...(albeit I like crazy...)


Without a doubt, the advice I found most helpful was from master embroiderer Gay Ann Rogers. Gay Ann has just recently completed stitching this piece, Elizabeth I.

Copyright by Gay Ann Rogers and photo used with her permission

And she has this to say about embroidering faces...

Many times people have said to me that needlework faces are so ugly. I agree that most are, but I think it is because people put too much detail into too small a face. Most of a needleworked face is best left unsaid.

One of the first things I learned about drawing is this: it is OK to suggest something and let the viewer bring her own experiences to the painting.

Go here to read more about how she stitched the Queen's face, ruff and hands -- I'm soaking it in as she posts another installment of how she designed and stitched this queen.

You can also learn more about where Gay Ann will be teaching Elizabeth I on her website. I hope to stitch her one day.

And guess what? In my search for ideas for embroidering faces, I found this post from my friend Mary Corbet...seems like I'm in good company with my fear of stitching faces...

For now, I'm heading to Joggles to learn how to draw/stitch better faces. Maybe I'll see one of you there.