"The dragon is approximately one foot high. The inside structure is a cotton moulded body, which, since I didn't have a pattern, I made up and adjusted as it came together, and stuffed with old pillow wadding.
"The outer body is cut from an assortment of pieces of lace, which were painted with three layers of acrylic paint to get the right colours. When dry, each piece of lace (approx. 1.5" x 2" in size) was sewn to a black base fabric. Beads were then added to all the holes in the lace, and when each individual piece was complete, it was sewn straight on to the cotton body. This allowed me to add extra lace, and to bead through it to cover the joins.
"The dragon's horns are constructed from lace cord soaked in Paverpol [a water-based fabric stiffener] for strength. The spikes from his nose down to his tail are lace pieces, which I beaded into then sewed to his back, so they added movement.
"His eyes are flat-backed beads which I nail varnished on the backs, then scratched to get the eye pattern.
"The dragon's wings are made from six layers of old, thin black plastic bags. I laid them under a cloth and ironed then together lightly, then free-machined to get the pattern. Wires are held in place with zigzag stitching - these enabled me to bend his wings into shape. I then stippled bronze paint on the wings to achieve the appropriate colour.
"He took 218 hours to complete in between other projects."
Wow!! A real labour of love, and a fabulous creation, Lucy! Admiring your ingenuity and skill.
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