>Heavily Beaded Combat

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Here's what I've been up to the past couple of days. I have attempted to stitch the parts of my beaded M1 Abrams main battle tank together. I stitched the shadow piece to the tank, then I stitched another piece of 12-gauge coated copper wire to the back of the shadow. This will help to stiffen it a bit. I am also going to stitch a piece of metal mesh to the back as well. I want the shadow to bend outwards a bit like it would in real life and I think the metal mesh will help to retain the shape that I want the piece to be.

Semi-beaded M1 Abrams main battle tank. Bead embroidery on f elt.

21" wide x 11" tall (53 x 30cm)

Next, I will have to stitch the top section of the tank to the bottom section to secure it a bit more. I will also have to add a backing to the entire piece, as well as hanging hardware. When this tank is finally finished, it will be one heavy piece of beaded artillery! :o