Last Touches to the Background

Before I added a carpet of ferns and leaf litter it was time to finalize the ground and the tree trunk with thread work.

The trunk of the tree needed texture. The colour variation in the bark wasn't enough.

The ground needed a contoured surface.

And it was time to add the final layer of a batting and backing. This additional batting was the key to adding texture. I thought I might need to over stitch with colour, but a brown mono filament did the trick.

The batting and backing is generous as I don't yet know how I'm going to finish the edges.

It's easier to cut away than to add.