Friday, January 20, 2012

simple embroidery tutorial

I am participating in a Journal Swap this week.  It's been really fun to dream up a journal cover to make for my partner (maybe it's you!).  After creating the cover (which I can't show you until the big link party over at Aleks Handmade), I decided it needed a little embellishing in the form of hand stitched embroidery.

I picked one of my favorite Bible verses and went to town.


Embroidering is so simple and the results are so cute.  I've seen so many cute tea towels, wall hangings, and more on Pinterest using embroidery.

Want to know how to do it?  I can't speak for all those more intricate designs, but "writing" something with embroidery is fairly easy.  Here's how:

For this project I used three strands of embroidery thread and a regular needle.  {I think the standard needlepoint and embroidery projects use 2 strands of thread.  My material was just a little plush and I wanted it to stand out.}

1. Thread the needle and knot the end.  Using a pencil, lightly write the word/saying you want to embroider.  {the picture below says "plans" right next to the pencil tip}


2.  Using your threaded needle, make one stitch along your pencil mark.  {see the "l" below}.  Then, for the second stitch {and everyone after that}, come up the back side a little further from the last stitch.


3.  Put your needle back down through the fabric at the point where your last stitch ended.  This is called a "backstitch" because you are essentially stitching backward!


Do the same "backstitch" while you follow along your pencil marks.  Eventually you will end up with a sweet saying written in thread!  And the fact that my stitching isn't perfect {a little wonky actually} just gives the finished product more of a handmade feel!

Seriously... get on Pinterest and search for "embroidery" {after you pin THIS tutorial to your boards, of course}.  There are some INCREDIBLE pieces out there.

I think I may have a new obsession.  Watch out tea towels!



ps - I'm on twitter now.  Yes, I joined the group of tweet-freaks.  Follow me?  @betterlifebags

Linking this to Think Pink Sundays.

9 comments:

  1. I am so glad that you showed me this. I have been a needle-pointer and a cross-stitcher but have always been intimidated by lettering. Not sure why. I hand quilted my first quilt for my oldest and he has always said that it wasn't finished because I never signed it. Now, 20 years later, I can finish it.

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    1. Yay!!! So glad this was perfect timing. I'm sure you're a natural at needlepoint!

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  2. Rebecca!!! this is lovely!! your partner is going to LOVE her journal!! and thanks for the little tutorial!! watch out aprons in my house, ive been dying to add a little something something to them. thanks!

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  3. Relatively new follower to your blog but ADORE your prayer cards! :-) ANNNDDDD I LOVE this verse! :-)

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  4. HI MY NAME IS YOGESH KUMAR I AM SOCIAL WRITER I LIKE YOUR WEBSITE ABOUT LIFE
    http://www.today-life-style.com/

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  5. Forwarding this to my amazing sewing friend! She just embroidered pillows with each family member and their dog on a pillow...cutest thing ever! All by hand...

    She will love this!
    Amanda

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  6. I would love it if you shared your tutorial here:

    http://juliejewels1.blogspot.com/2012/01/show-your-stuff-8.html

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  7. You have such a cute blog. I found you on the link party. I am your newest follower. :) If you would like to check out my blog that would be awesome and follow me back..

    -Brooke
    for-the-luv-of.blogspot.com

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