Embroidery is an art form that allows you to express your creativity through delicate stitches and vibrant threads. If you want to take your embroidery to the next level and create more naturalistic and interesting designs, the key is to embrace experimentation. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to use the detached chain stitch to embroider captivating flowers. We'll explore various techniques, such as the loop start method and the lazy daisy stitch, to add depth and beauty to your floral creations. Let's dive into the world of needle and thread.

Continue reading

 

In this blog post and video, we'll explore the art of embroidering wildflowers on linen napkins using the Lazy Daisy Stitch, French Knots, and Back Stitch. Plus, we'll discuss how embracing imperfections can create a naturalistic and charming look.

Finding Inspiration:

Before starting your embroidery project, seeking inspiration can be a great way to set the tone for your design. Consider exploring botanical books with diagrams and colorful illustrations of flowers. These can help you decide on the placement and design of your wildflowers.

Planning the Design:

For this project, a zigzag pattern along flowering stems is chosen for the design. To begin, crease the napkin to find the center of the corner and mark it with a water-soluble pen. For those who prefer working without a pattern, using paper circles as rough guidelines can help decide on the amount and placement of the flowers. However, don't be afraid to deviate from the initial plan and invite creativity while embroidering.

The Loopstart, start embroidering without a knot:

Using DMC six-strand embroidery floss is ideal for this project. Pull two strands but only use one to create a delicate look. To start your embroidery thread without a knot, use the loop method. This involves threading the ends through the eye of the needle, forming a loop at the fold, which will serve as the first petal of the Lazy Daisy Stitch.

The Lazy Daisy Stitch:

To create the Lazy Daisy Stitch, come up with an imaginary ring around the center of the flower. Then, go back down into the fabric where you came up and come back up where you want the petal to end. Form a loop with the thread and secure it with a small stitch. Repeat the process to form beautiful petals. Embrace imperfections, alter stitch lengths, and experiment with different placements to achieve a natural and charming appearance.

Adding French Knots:

French Knots add a lovely textured effect to your wildflowers. Start with the loop method but make a tiny stitch instead of a longer one for the petals. To create French Knots, wrap the thread around the needle a few times, hold the wraps under your finger to secure them, and make a small stitch while holding the needle in the fabric. Experiment with the number of wraps and strands for varying effects.

Connecting Flowers with Back Stitch:

Use the Back Stitch to connect the flowers and create the stem. Make single straight stitches, leaving gaps between them, and then go back to fill those gaps. Don't worry about perfect connections; slightly wonky lines can add character to your design, resembling pencil sketches and doodling.

Finishing Touches:

To ensure your embroidery stays secure, avoid crossing large distances without securing the thread at the back. Weave the thread through existing stitches to reach your desired starting point. To finish the thread, weave it through a few stitches and create a few knots. Leaving a small thread tail ensures that your masterpiece will withstand wear and tear.

The Final Result:

Once your wildflowers are embroidered, wash out the water-soluble pen and give the napkin a gentle press to showcase your work.

Embroidering wildflowers on linen napkins is a relaxing and creative way to add a touch of nature to your table. Embrace imperfections, experiment with stitches and colors, and let your creativity bloom as you bring this naturalistic look to life. Happy embroidering!

Continue reading

The last few weeks have been stressful to say the least and I hope you and your loved ones are all doing well. I thought this would be a fun, beginner friendly, sewing project that's not only fast, but a great project to use up scraps.

The materials you'll need:

• An award ribbon shaped template, I'll explain the dimensions in the video. (Newsletter subscribers and customers can download the welcome mail)
• Scrap fabric. An A4 sized piece should be enough to make two
• Matching thread ( I use Gutermann all purpose thread)
• A marking pen or pencil
• Scissors
• A seam ripper or hole punch
• 1 x 4mm per ribbon/organizer. I used a box from prym, that I had left over from old projects.
• Pinking shears for a fancy zig zag edge

You can sew along with the video:

 

Happy sewing!

Charlotte

 

PS: looking for a fun and free sewing project? Sign up to the newsletter for a free copy of the smallest Tsuno Tie Bag and sew up some scraps. If you ​​​​​​​sign up you also get access to the free printable swatch library, sewing project planner and a few other handy templates. You'll receive the files in your welcome mail :)

Continue reading

 

 

I’ve just added a new embroidery class to the workshop collection. In this hand embroidery class, you’ll learn how to embroider a small ginkgo leaf using the chain stitch and turn it into a small brooch with a leather or cork-leather backing. It's an intermediate level class, but if you are a confident beginner you should give it a try. The class includes a free ginkgo leaf embroidery pattern in different shapes and sizes.

What we'll cover in this online embroidery class:

- Materials & tools

- How to transfer the embroidery design onto fabric light and dark fabrics

- Threading your embroidery needle & invisible ways to start your thread

- Chain stitch & reverse chain stitch

- Double Running Stitch or Holbein Stitch to outline the leaf

- How to turn your embroidered leaf into a brooch with textile glue and (cork)leather

Check out the details here

 PS:

Another option is to subscribe for a free 2-month trial to Skillshare to take the class (you'll need a credit card). If you’re not familiar, Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes on everything from business to graphic design to sashiko embroidery and sewing – it’s the Netflix of learning.

By using this link * to my class to sign up for a Skillshare Premium Membership, not only will you be able to enroll in my class, but you’ll also gain access to all other classes on Skillshare starting with a two-month free trial.

If you know of anyone else that’d be interested to learn ho to embroider a ginkgo leaf brooch  I’d appreciate if you’d share the link with them too.

Thanks and enjoy your weekend!

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​* Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. Please understand that I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.

 

Happy sewing!

Charlotte

 

PS: looking for a fun and free sewing project? Sign up to the newsletter for a free copy of the smallest Tsuno Tie Bag and sew up some scraps. If you ​​​​​​​sign up you also get access to the free printable swatch library, sewing project planner and a few other handy templates. You'll receive the files in your welcome mail :)

Continue reading

I’ve just added a new embroidery class to Skillshare My class is on hand embroidery and, you’ll learn how to embroider a small ginkgo leaf using the chain stitch and turn it into a small brooch with a leather or corkleather backing. It's an intermediate level class, but if you are a confident beginner you can give it a try. The class includes a free ginkgo leaf embroidery pattern in different shapes and sizes.

What we'll cover in this online embroidery class:

- Materials & tools

- How to transfer the embroidery design onto fabric light and dark fabrics

- Threading your embroidery needle & invisible ways to start your thread

- Chain stitch & reverse chain stitch

- Double Running Stitch or Holbein Stitch to outline the leaf

- How to turn your embroidered leaf into a brooch with textile glue and (cork)leather

If you’re not familiar, Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes on everything from business to graphic design to sashiko embroidery and sewing – it’s the Netflix of learning.

By using this link to my class to sign up for a Skillshare Premium Membership, not only will you be able to enroll in my class, but you’ll also gain access to all other classes on Skillshare starting with a 30-day free trial.

If you know of anyone else that’d be interested to learn ho to embroider a ginkgo leaf brooch  I’d appreciate if you’d share the link with them too.

Thanks and enjoy your weekend!

Continue reading

There are many ways to store your embroidery floss, but here's my favorite. I have a lot of skeins that I use during workshops, so I need to unpack them and pack them in a way that keeps the colours together. If you knit you've probably already recognise the stitchholder i'm using. It was an epiphany when I finally realized I could use them to organize my embroidery floss. I can store 12 skeins on one pin and then stack all the skeins into a clear box where they sort of hold themselves up.

These are 13,5cm stitchholders from prym. 

 

Continue reading

For the last few weeks, I’ve been working on my first class for Skillshare and today it’s officially live!

My class is on hand embroidery, where you’ll learn how to embroider blossom using only a few embroidery stitches. It's great for a total newb, but if you are a seasoned embroiderer there might be some new techniques and ideas for you too and the class includes the cherry blossom pdf pattern and a branch sampler pattern.

And it's no april's fool joke! Because for the last 1,5 years I've been teaching many creative workshops on sewing and embroidery in The New Habderdashery. I loved it wanted to keep teaching and thought it would be fun to continue teaching workshops not only offline but online too.

If you’re not familiar, Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes on everything from business to graphic design to sashiko embroidery and sewing – it’s the Netflix of learning.

By using this link to my class to sign up for a Skillshare Premium Membership, not only will you be able to enroll in my class, but you’ll also gain access to all other classes on Skillshare starting with a two-month free trial.

If you know of anyone else that’d be interested to learn Blossom Embroidery Class, I’d appreciate if you’d share the link with them too.

Thanks and enjoy your weekend!

Continue reading