Free motion embroidery allows me to use a common, household sewing machine as a drawing tool. I drop the feed dogs on the machine which allows me to move an embroidery hoop manually in any direction and at the speed I choose. I am essentially drawing with the sewing machine, using the needle as my drawing implement and thread as line and color. I use either a straight stitch or a zig zag stitch. Additional effects are created by the using different weights and types of thread and by changing the tension setting on the sewing machine.
Most of my work is sewn onto a water-dissolvable fabric. This fabric gives me something on which to sew. When dissolved away, only thread is left.
