Judi Miller creates pictures using thread, a textile base and a sewing machine. In free motion machine embroidery the sewing machine needle is used as a pencil or paint brush.Photographs are most often a starting point that provide composition, colour and detail reference. She starts with a sketch on fabric and may use watercolour pencil, silk paints or dyes to produce the desired effect for the background. She fills in detail using machine embroidery, from coarse texture to fine detail. Landscapes are a current favourite as the texture of the fabric and the thread enhance the composition.