Having no ideas whatsoever for this piece, I decided the toy soldier could have as a companion a ballerina, as in the fairy tale about the ‘Steadfast Tin Soldier’. Sylvus’ love of fairy tales reigns again.

This piece took a shockingly long time to do—three years, maybe? The recipient particularly liked the hand patterned braid, a variation on one from the Roderick Owens book. Like the pooh figure the ballerina is appliqued with satin stitch.

Closeup. I know (almost) nothing about ballet, but fortunately, neither does the owner:)

Unless otherwise noted, text, image and objects depicted therein copyright 1996--present sylvus tarn.