This blog is brought to you today by Shauna Jared

I am so excited that I was asked to do the Saturday craft/fun blog for the Singles Ministry here at GCH!  I love all things crafty, although it’s hard for me to find time to actually do them… but recently I’ve discovered a new craft obsession that’s relatively easy and inexpensive as well as relaxing, so I thought I would share it with you guys!  Hand embroidery! 

Now, I know what you’re thinking.  Embroidery?  You mean dishtowels with animated vegetables and teacups on them?  Puppies doing laundry and washing dishes?  Well, you certainly can embroider those patterns if you would like (I’ve found TONS of free vintage embroidery patterns online… see the links later in this post) and I actually find some of those old patterns quite charming!  As the Bible says in Revelation 21:5, “Behold, I make all things new.” 😉  But there are plenty of modern embroidery patterns out there and you can make anything from tea towels to quilts to embroidering on clothing and tote bags!  And embroidered items can make fantastic gifts!  (Christmas is only 79 days away, ladies…. )

So, let’s get started, shall we?

I’m currently working on a tea towel with some funky flowers on them (see photo above), so I’ll tell you what you’ll need for this project and where to get patterns and how to get them on your tea towel (or pillowcase or whatever your project is going to be!)

Basic tools you will need:

Embroidery pattern ( this is a link to Aunt Martha’s, but there are plenty of other options.  The one I’m using is “Fantasy Flowers” found at sublimestitching.com)  

Embroidery needles 

Embroidery hoop (5” – 7”) 

Embroidery floss (how many and colors will depend on your particular project) 

Blank Tea Towel (or pillowcase, tote bag, shirt, quilt piece, baby bib, whatever… you get the picture.  A “blank” just means an item that has no design on it – it is awaiting your brilliant embroidery masterpiece)

An iron and ironing board… I think most everyone already has these 😉

And depending on what type of pattern you have, you may need the following:

Vellum tracing paper 

Iron-on transfer pen

First, let’s talk about the pattern.  You can buy iron on transfer patterns and all you will do is simply follow the instructions on the package and iron it on to your blank.  Simple!  You can find the “Aunt Martha’s” brand of iron on transfers at Wal-Mart or JoAnn’s and these are usually the vintage type patterns.  I’ve also found a couple of awesome websites that offer iron on patterns for purchase:

Pattern Bee:  http://patternbee.com/MENU.html

Sublime Stitching:  http://www.sublimestitching.com/ (the pattern I’m currently using in the photo at the beginning of this post is “Fantasy Flowers”… they also sell everything else you would need for embroidery in their shop!  Even beginners kits!

You can also find patterns online (some free, some purchased PDF’s) to print at home.  You would then need some vellum tracing paper and an iron-on transfer pen in order to get the design onto your blank.  I’ve found many websites that offer free vintage embroidery patterns, so you would need the tracing paper and transfer pen to use these.  You would simply print your pattern out, then place a piece of tracing paper over it.  It is thin, so you can see the pattern underneath.  Use your iron-on transfer pen to trace the design onto the paper.  Then follow the instructions that come with the pen and iron it on to your blank.  Easy peasy!  (NOTE:  If there is lettering, make sure you are tracing it BACKWARDS so that the words show up correctly on your blank when you iron it on!  Let’s not talk about how I found this out…)

Here are some resources I’ve found for free patterns:

Pattern Bee:  http://patternbee.com/MENU.html (offers some freebies)

Vintage Transfer Finds:  http://mytransfers.blogspot.com/

French-Knots: http://www.french-knots.com/

nanaCompany: http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/ (beautiful blog and they offer some freebies)

I’m sure there are other ways to get your pattern on to your blank, but these are the two best ways, in my opinion 

Now that you have your pattern on your blank, you’re ready to go!  

Next, you need to put the hoop on your project to help you make even stitches and keep even tension.  Take the hoop apart and put the piece that isn’t adjustable underneath your fabric.  Your whole project doesn’t have to fit inside the hoop, you can move it around when you need to work on another part.  Now put the piece that has the adjustable screw on it on top of your fabric, over the other hoop, and push down until they go together.  Then you will need to tug at the fabric all the way around the hoop edge to make sure it’s good and tight.  And tighten up the screw if you need to.  Be sure to remove the hoop from your project when you’re not working on it for an extended period of time.  You don’t want it to get “hoop burn”!

Now, thread your embroidery needle with some floss and make a knot at the end… then we’ll take a look at a basic embroidery stitch!

The Back Stitch

So easy!  This is the stitch I’m using in the photo at the top of this post. Simply bring your needle from the back of your work, up through at “1”, back down at “2”, then back up again in front of “1” at “3”.  Then you would go back down at “4” and so forth.

There are other stitches you can do to get different effects, such as the stem stitch, satin stitch, split stitch, and French knot.  If the pattern you choose requires one or more of these stitches, it should give you a tutorial in the instructions.  If not, you can Google the stitch to find instructions or even find video tutorials on YouTube 

So that should be enough to get you on your way!  Are you addicted yet?  I certainly am.  I can’t wait to see your projects and hear about your new found love of embroidery, so please make sure to share in the comments below!  Praise God for embroidery!  Have a blessed day! 

<3 Shauna