This week we have a couple of out-of-the-ordinary scientific subjects. Regular blog readers will remember that a while back I put on an exhibition of "scientific" designs at a scientific conference. At the conference I was lucky enough to meet Alex Bruce, a scientist who runs a lab in a university in the Czech Republic. He was very interested in what I did, and when he got back to his lab he sent me some pictures which he thought I might be interested in digitising. I certainly was – they were very attractive images, and here are two of them
First there’s a tiny group of cells that represent the earliest stages of embryonic life. In his picture the cells were stained with a fluorescent dye, which made them glow against a dark background. I used metallic thread to give the impression of the fluorescent effect – I don’t think I’ve got it quite right, but it’s still an interesting image which could easily be made into a printed textile design of some sort
Fluorescent cells
The second was of a curious white mouse inspecting a lab flask. The mouse was done in overlapping layers of stitching, and to represent the flask I just appliqueed on a piece of light plastic that I found in one of my old stationery folders. It’s an unusual image but the technique is easy and I may use it in other subjects
A mouse and a plastic flask
Le pelage de la souris est très réussi
on irait presque la caresser !
L’essai avec le plastic est très intéressant
Merci Mia
Hi Mia, Your embroidery interpretation of the tiny group of cells is awesome and intensified through your use of metallic threads against the grey/black background. The mouse and flask design is So cute!! The technique you used to stitch out the tiny mouse gives him a real furry appearance while using clear plastic for the lab flask provides a natural glass appearance. Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day
Love what you did with the mouse and flask. Easy you say, but it looks makes him look real. Love the plastic in the flask also.
Love both designs!! So unique, as usual!
Love the mouse! He’s the cutest and hope to see more of him… maybe you could do a series of him in various lab situations. That fur is just great as is the tail, feet….
Love both of these! I am a retired Nurse Practitioner and Lab Tech, so both themes very familiar to me. Keep up the great work!
Mia, love your latest creations. The embryonic cell is lovely. The metallic thread made the design. And your mouse is so realistic looking. Your technique for fur, makes it look like you could reach out and pet the mouse. And of course cannot leave out the flask. Using the plastic makes it look real. Thank you for sharing your work with us.
Great job on both these designs (shows your background in science, too!) Keep up the good work. As a friend of mine says, “You go girl!”
I really like how both of these turned out. Using the metallic thread for florescence is a really good call.
I have seen “glow in the dark” embroidery threads marketed. Superior’s line is called NiteLite Extra Glow, I think. I bought one spool at a SewExpo, but I haven’t tried it yet.
Thank you for sharing these stitch-outs with us. I love seeing how your experimentation and process evolve.
Mia, really like the techniques you use for these two “science” creations…you are really good at doing these and they look as good as the real photos…Great work….
Love this guy and the applique flask is a great touch!
Love the mouse and flask .