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Do Something Amazing

Create a Speech Bubble

By: Ellen Banker

Article Excerpt - March/April/May 2020 issue

Once thought to be the purview of contemporary cartoon characters and comic books, speech bubbles are actually found in all types of fine art.

In fact, speech bubbles (of sorts)  have been discovered in some medieval illustrations of the fourteenth and  fifteenth centuries. Medieval historian Erik Kwakkel mentions two examples in  a blog posting where he frequently  highlights the parallels between medieval and modern technology.

One example in Figure 1: The drawing c.1300 shows a group of people walking and “speaking” with lines of type attributed to each character by a thin line. This merry scene bears more than one parallel to a modern comic book story.
But there was another way to make a silent figure on the page speak out: the banderole—a kind of scroll. This clever device gave the illustrator the ability to make someone deliver a short statement via a tiny scroll that could originate in one’s hand or from one’s lips.

Kwakkel says that such points of  contact were particularly important when an image presented more than one speaking person. It allowed the viewer to identify who was saying what. In Figure 2, the words have a strikingly modern  appearance because of the banderole’s white background, which creates the illusion of a real speech bubble.

Although, some rug hookers have used speech bubbles for ages, it would be great to see more since they are so expressive. You can say (and hook) exactly what you want. No question. But, even speech bubbles can be a little bit cryptic.

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Hooking Speech Bubbles

Let’s start with just the bubble. That is precisely what we did last June, in a class about hooking type at the Green Mountain Rug School in Vermont. Students could choose a phrase created by the instructor or create their own phrase and shape. Much (but not all) of the bubble type was based on the typeface Heartstrings, a contemporary hand-drawn face designed by illustrator Nicky Laatz and available online at Creative Market. It’s fun and includes thick and thin elements. This is a perfect typeface to learn how to hook the multiple-cut method, which is so useful in hooking all kinds of type. Almost all type is created from thick  elements and thin elements, so this  method will help make just about any typeface you hook look natural.
With the multiple-cut method, you will need to cut multiple cuts of the same wool to create your text (say, #8, #6,  and #4 cuts). I begin with the thickest  element in an #8 cut and fill in the thinner elements of the type with a #6 or #4 cut, whichever is more appropriate. That’s all there is to it! This method is also useful when hooking objects that have wispy little pieces along the edges of a solid body. The key to keeping your type or object looking crisp is to hook a few letters (or areas) at a time and fill in the background as you hook. This creates stability for your letters.
For backgrounds, I also recommend multiple cuts of wool. Even if I plan to hook a #8-cut background, I hook a smaller cut around my letters or objects, sometimes beginning with a #4 cut,  transitioning to a #6 cut and, finally, doing the rest of the background in a  #8 cut or larger.

Finishing Speech Bubbles

You can add a rectangular shape to your speech bubble, and it can become an adorable wall hanging or pillow. Or, you can finish your speech bubble as a stand-alone piece. For this, I recommend backing it with a piece of wool and whip stitching around the edges. See the sidebar (page 10) for detailed instructions.

Designing Your Own Bubble

We’ve provided some blank speech bubbles that you can enlarge to the size of your choice. Or, you might want to draw your own shape. For your words, you can draw your type (remember, script type is based on handwriting, so you can become the designer of your own script type). Or, you can set type on your computer, print it out, and trace it onto your linen backing material. I would recommend centering the type for the best result. Your bubble can contain one word or a phrase and even some images. Being creative with the layout is all part of the fun.
Regardless of your words, have fun with your bubble. Or, as I said in my bubble, do something amazing!

Additional Images

Figure 1. British Library. Stowe MS 49, fol. 122r (c. 1300). SOURCE: MEDIEVALBOOKS.NL
Figure 2. Paris, BnF, lat. 11978 (Fifteenth century). SOURCE: MEDIEVALBOOKS.NL
Do Something Amazing Speech Bubble, hooked in multiple cuts of wool. Designed and hooked by Ellen Banker, Williamsburg, Virginia, 2019.
Vaccinated Speech Bubble, 18" x 14". Designed and hooked by Suzanne Dirmaier, Waterbury Center, Vermont, 2019.
If Your Dog Speech Bubble, 18" x 14", hooked in multiple cuts of wool. Designed and hooked by Ellen Banker, Williamsburg, Virginia, 2019.
Zap Speech Bubble, 18" x 18", hooked in multiple cuts of wool. Designed and hooked by Debra Smith, Landisburg, Pennsylvania, 2019.
#!! Speech Bubble. Designed and hooked by Barbara Lucas, Ottawa, Ontario, 2019.
My Heart Took Flight Speech Bubble, 18” x 14”, hooked with wool yarn. Designed and hooked by Jon Sullivan, Salem, Massachusetts, 2019. Note: The typeface is Dollhouse.
Dark and Stormy Night Speech Bubble. Designed and hooked by Shelly Richardson, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, 2019.
Lipstick Speech Bubble. Designed and hooked by Joanne Millen, Rockport, Massachusetts, 2019.
Enough Wool Speech Bubble, 18" x 14". Designed and hooked by Lorraine Foster, Waitsfeld, Vermont, 2019.
Jail Time Speech Bubble. Designed and hooked by Sue Cunningham, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, 2019.
Luvs Ya Speech Bubble. Designed and hooked by Juel Weideman, Saint-Armand, Quebec City, 2019.
Sunshine Speech Bubble, 18" x 14". Designed and hooked by Susan Stoehr, Warren, Vermont, 2019.
O’ Me Nerves Speech Bubble. Designed and hooked by Winnie Glavine, Paradise, Newfoundland, 2019.

Finishing Instructions

It actually isn’t a secret! To make a speech bubble conform to its shape, it needs to be stabilized and cut out of the background.  Then the edges should be clipped and turned under, sewn down,  and prepared for its backing material. You will need to make a  pattern for the back, pin the two pieces together (and possibly  baste the two pieces together), and whipstitch the edges with  wool yarn that can be a matching or contrasting color.

It’s a Secret Speech Bubble, 12" x 11½", hooked in multiple cuts of wool. Designed and hooked by Ellen Banker, Williamsburg, Virginia, 2019.
One way to stabilize your speech  bubble before cutting the shape out of the background is to stabilize it with a  sewing product such as Fray Check, which will prevent the linen from unraveling.
Let the stabilizer dry fully before cutting. Then cut your bubble out of the background.
In order to turn your edges under, clip some of the edges. Stabilize again with Fray Check and let the piece dry before cutting. Then turn the edges under and sew down.
Make a pattern for your backing by tracing the bubble (image side up) on paper. This is really important. It is the only way the pattern will fit the bubble.
Place the pattern on top of your piece to ensure it fits. Adjust, if necessary. Trace the pattern on your backing wool. Cut out the wool and pin the backing to the back of your bubble. (You may also want to baste it.)
Whipstitch the edges while smoothing the baking material throughout the process. Your binding wool can match your border or can contrast with it. Once the backing is whipstitched, your project is complete!

Want to Hook Your Own Bubble?

What do you want to say to the world? Funny or profound, silly or serious—let your imagination go crazy. Hook yourself a word bubble, then send us a photo. We’ll have a follow-up article and post them on our website for all to see. I have several rolling around in my head right about now: [make these into bubbles]

She said what?

I may be green, but I’m not grassy

Wow—did you see that?

Tell me a story, Grandma!

Mon petite chou

Whatever

Send me your photos by September 1, 2020—and have fun!

Looking for More?

Hooked on Words, Ellen Banker, Ampry Publishing, 2018

Check out Ellen’s fabulous book, full of examples and advice for adding words to your hooking.

Ellen Banker is a graphic designer and rug hooker who tends to hook words into all of her rugs. She teaches the techniques mentioned in this article and loves to see how other rug hookers incorporate type into their rug designs.