Sweet Fabric [Search results for embroidery] 

Fabric from one of my favourite vintage dresses

Every once in a while something of mine turns up somewhere super lovely.

Just for the record:

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Apartment Therapy
The Apartment Therapy Mission
Helping people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.

What We Believe
A calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world.

Creating this home doesn’t require large amounts of money or space. It requires inspiration, connection to resources and motivation to do something about it.

The basic elements of good home design can be learned and achieved by all.

Simplicity and luxury are not mutually exclusive.

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Craftzine
Introducing CRAFT: The first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance that is occurring within the world of crafts. Celebrating the DIY spirit, CRAFT's goal is to unite, inspire, inform and entertain a growing community of highly imaginative and resourceful people who are transforming traditional art and crafts with unconventional, unexpected and even renegade techniques, materials and tools; people who undertake amazing crafting projects in their homes and communities.
Christmas Decorations, Corner Bookmark, Granny Square Necklace, Spool holder

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Craft Gossip
Confused about everything crafty out there? Not sure where to go and what to buy for your latest craft idea? Can't find that kitsch pattern that everyone else is talking about? Well worry no more! CraftGossip is all the latest news from real craft people telling you about the real stuff. We scour the net looking for the best craft ideas and projects and review them for you.
Corner Bookmark, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Hand pieced Pincushion, Photo to embroidery pattern, Twisted Cord

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Mixtape Zine
Mix tape zine is a collision of craft, eco-cool and pop culture kitsch it features recipes, eco tips, crafty people profiles, ethical business practices etc - you can purchase back issues here or find out more here. Find Justine here and Nichola’s blog here.
my collection in issue 6

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Nuts about Needlepoint
An encyclopedia of needlepoint and thread information for all stitchers. Learn about Janet M. Perry's needlepoint projects, read book and product reviews, and find articles about techniques, threads, and more
Twisted Cord

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One Pretty Thing
One Pretty Thing is a daily website dedicated to bringing you inspiring projects for a more beautiful life.
Corner Bookmark, Drawstring Bag, Embroidered carry all, Embroidery on dark fabric, Fabric Notebook Cover, Photo to Embroidery Design, Quilt Quiver, Tealight Holder, Twisted Cord

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Quilting Board
The Quilter's message board.
Thank you Sondray for linking to my projects.

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Sew Mama Sew
You’ll find some handy sewing tips and inspiration. Whether you’re just learning to sew, or have been sewing forever.

The Sew,Mama,Sew! blog is pulled together each week by Kristin and Beth. Who both sew whenever they can and love fabric with a passion.

If you’re looking for fabulous fabric and patterns, please take a look at the Sew,Mama,Sew! store.

Drawstring Backpack, How to fold a fat quarter

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Tipnut
I think we all have them, those mile high piles of household tips and life hacks that we’ve collected over the years. They’re messy, disorganized and once they’ve been ‘filed’, those tips are nowhere to be found again.

TipNut.com isn’t anything fancy. It’s simply my way of putting together all the cool tricks I’ve accumulated over the years into a simple, searchable, online filing box–this website. Some of them I’ve tried, some of them I don’t know if I’ll ever try. But I do know they’ll be here if I need them–and I’m happy to freely share everything with you too!
Simple square pincushion

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Whip Up
Whip up: To prepare quickly. To excite. To create. To incite. To build. To invent. To conceive. To push. To upset. To manufacture. To provoke.

This website has been created in order to bring the best original and exciting crafts to the attention of many.
To create a community of artists, crafters and makers and share ideas in a central space.

Embroidered Carry All, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Corner Bookmark, Handpieced Pincushion, Pillowcase Shoulder Bag, Sausage Dog CD cover, Simple Square Pincushion, Toadstool Pincushion

I've had these pics kicking around since I made the big girl her pencil case last year.

I thought the "how to" might be of use.

I always buy my "magic disolving stuff" from Bustle & Bows. They know what I mean when I ask for that but you might want to call it Aquasol or water soluble plastic if you're asking for it in store.

This is not only useful for embroidery but I imagine many other crafty pursuits. I saw a similar product used to create a super fluffy critter on a blanket recently.

How To - Embroidery On Dark FabricView more presentations from kootoyoo.

You can pick up the PDF How to - Embroidery on dark fabric here.

at Meet Me at Mikes .

I've put together a few speedy quick projects of things to make from a pillowcase. Today it's a Blog Roll. It has handy pockets for storing your camera, a pen, a notepad & a pocket for brilliant ideas & inspiration. It's guaranteed to keep your blog On a roll...

You can find the instructions for the construction of the Blog Roll as well the embroidery design here.

If you've got a bit of a storage fetish I've also included simple & free embroidery designs for:
Chick O Roll, Rock N Roll & a Stitching Roll

This isn't as quick as the other projects I've put together because of the embroidery but I like handwork - it's relaxing.

The pillowcase I would have used if I had the guts to hack into it.

We are having a giveaway -you could win the Blog Roll (contents NOT included). The details are at Mikes & entries close at 5am Monday Melbourne time. I'm keeping this one open longer because it took the most time & I think it is the best. The winner will be announced here on Monday morning.

WINNER of The Peg Apron is: Two Pink Possums

Edit: I've just popped into Mikes & the Mixtape girls had a recycled pillowcase bib pattern in Issue 3 of Mixtape Zine. So if you don't already own this issue you might want to order it with Issue 4 which is coming out in the next couple of weeks.

The red dust was flocking.

I'd had the embroidery finished for a couple of weeks but I just couldn't figure out how to treat the clock hands. I knew I didn't want to leave the black plastic naked but I was worried my other ideas about fabric & stitching would make the whole thing look tacky. When you've spent a couple of hours on hand embroidery you don't want to wreck it with a couple of minutes of glue (yes, speaking from experience).

I've got Changing Rooms (UK) to thank for the flocking thing. I'd seen an episode about three years ago where they flocked all sorts of hard surfaces (including the bannister if I remember).

Anyway, I'm chuffed with the way it's come up. The clock face is an old record, the mechanism & hands from an Opped clock, the fabric is an old sheet & the floss was in the stash.

Half full print by Lisa...Robot by Jodie...Clock by me.

It was hanging in the little guy's room when he went up to bed last night. He was very generous with his admiration & congratulations (he's nice like that). After I'd kissed him good night he called me back & said "Uh oh, I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep with that Tick Tocking in my ear"....

Well my family of Matryoshka is finished.

I'm pretty happy with the result. I embroidered the faces before I glued the fabric & the embroidery to the timber matryoshka.

They look pretty good with the exception of the small who looks like a cross between an evil warrior & a pineapple.

It's really hard to embroider on a circle so small. Next time I'll do the embroidery before I cut the circle. I've begun a new obsession thanks to this project - Wood.

I've been looking at woodish loveliness as well as some truly magnificent art over at Geninne's Art Blog. It is one of the most special places I've visited. Do yourself a favour & go here. To see her beautiful birds on wood follow this link & scroll down to the 2nd of February.

These are fun to make & best of all super handy. They make great presents too.

You can download the how to PDF tutorial from here.

All the embroidery templates are located on my make & do page too. You can choose from:
Chick O Roll, Blog Roll, Rock & Roll & Stitching Roll.

How To Make An Embroidered Carry AllView SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: craft handmade)

Just click on the screen icon in the bottom right corner to view at full screen.

I've noticed some of the Brown Owls girls have already finished their embroidery panels which is really exciting. I'd love to see the rolls complete so let me know if you click & stitch to make it up.

I've mentioned before that I never use a hoop. Even though I'm really careful & I stretch & ease as I stitch my finished pieces are often a bit puckered. They never look it do they? I'll show you why! This might be the totally wrong thing to do but it works for me. If you're a traditionalist & you're tsking at me now...I'm sorry & don't read on.

First of all you should know that I HATE ironing. I do not iron a single item of clothing. The iron is reserved strictly for crafty activity. When it comes to embroidery however, the iron is my very best friend.

Secondly, I always transfer my designs (or freehand draw them) with a wash out marker. I'm not snobby or loyal about the brand. Whatever is on offer is fine for me. That means that every piece of stitching I do needs a little bath before I press it.

Now prepare your ironing surface. You need a nice squishy towel. This will help absorb the moisture as well as protect your stitches.

Next pull your embroidered piece out of it's bath & give it a gentle squeeze to remove excess moisture. Place it FACE DOWN on the towel.

Now begin ironing the piece. Yes, while it's still wet. You are going to iron it dry. Use a dry setting on your iron & go slowly. Just waving the iron gently over the back of the work. Keep watching (& smelling) your work. Do NOT burn it. Once all the fabric is dry you might notice the stitches & fabric around the stitches is still a bit moist. That's OK, just leave it to dry lying flat.

This piece was fairly simple & really didn't show any signs of puckering but was certainly covered in wash out marker. If you're working on a larger piece I would suggest ironing from the centre of the work out. Smooth & stretch your embroidered piece as you go.

(for non-drawer types)

Step 1:
Take a photo of what it is you want to embroider.

Step 2:
Use either photoshop or picnik to turn your image into a pencil sketch. You could stop here if you want your embroidery project to be "photographic".
If you don't have access to either of these applications you could just photocopy or turn your image black & white.

Step 3:
Print your pencil sketch image.
Muck around with your coloured pencils to work out which elements you want coloured.

Step 4:
Using a light box or window trace your design with a fine liner.

Step 5:
Scan & size your image according to your project requirements.

Step 6:
Then trace onto your fabric using a water soluable marker.

Begin stitching.

I've put together a couple of embroidery "fill in the blanks" packs. Each pack contains:

2 linen tea-towels
1 singlet top
1 calico bag
1 nightie
1 onesie
1 apron
1 1.5 metre square of calico
1 embroidery hoop
10 skeins of floss
1 pair of scissors
1 pkt of needles

for re-stash @ handmade help.

Stem Stitch (sort of)

Bits 'n Pieces said...
Beautiful stitches! But it looks like you don't use a hoop? Do you have a backing on your embroidery to make it "thicker" for both the embroidery and to hide knots? Thanks again for your tutorial!

No, I never use a hoop. To be honest I don't know how people can use a hoop for stitches that "run" I seem to fuss around for so long trying to get the needle up & down in one motion.

I sometimes use a backing. It depends on what the piece is going to be used for. If I plan to wash it I would never use a fusible product for fear of the wrinkling that sometimes occurs when the glue starts to wear off. If I'm making something just for show then yes, I back. I use a lovely iron on interfacing which I buy from Bustle & Bows in Melbourne. Sorry, I don't know what it's called but will ask next time I'm in the shop & update this response.

Nancy said...
Ah...you don't use a hoop? How do you keep the fabric from wrinkling?
I do my stem stitch the same way...what are we doing different?

I don't ever use a hoop & sometimes the wrinkling is an issue. I try to stretch & correct the base cloth as I go. If, once I've finished the piece the wrinkling is still obvious then I wet it & then give it a light press (face down on a nice thick towel) while it's still damp.

Actually quite a few people said that they stem stitch the same way as me. I guess it's just a slight variation. If you have a look here you will see that traditional stem stitch is worked slightly above the previous stitch & not through the same hole as the previous stitch.

Twisted Cord

Pamela asks...

I understood your instruction to make cording out of thread but what if I want to anchor the thread first onto my needlepoint canvas and make a cording which will serve to "outline" a shape on my canvas? This way the cording is secured in my needlepoint project but I want the cording to outline a shape and then anchor again at the "end" of the shape. How does one do this if the shape being outlined is not a straight line, but rather a circular form?

Good question Pamela. You could "couch" the twisted cord to the base cloth.
It would be very easy to hide your couching stitching inside the twists of the cord. See how to couch right here.

The "dusk shoot" was last night. I think it went fine, we'll wait & see what arrives on email for approval.

I've bought myself a bit of time as the first open isn't until next Saturday. So today I plan to work on a little bit of stitching just for me. It will be worked in DMC 702 which is just about my favourite colour at the moment.

Embroidery on thrifted/opped sheeting.

I was lucky enough to pick up a big pile of hospital weight sheets from the Op Shop a couple of years ago & I'm still working my way through it.

Thanks all for playing along so nicely last week & I look forward to catching up with you.

Don't forget to pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.

Just as an aside...learning to touch type was the very best thing I ever did.

She knows her stuff...go take a look.

I'm an old dog & I was pretty happy with my own floss separating technique but I've employed this technique solely for my latest embroidery. I'm a convert.

It's already 33 degrees & we are heading for 43 so I'm thinking cool thoughts, going to the movies & planning some quiet embroidery with a cool colour palette.

for a girlfriend's new baby.

It is a music box. Our babes were given pewter ones when they were born & they are truly treasured. Each now holds the dried petals from the roses given to me by the date on the day they were born.

It's what I began the other day & I'm very happy with my girl meets boy crafting effort on this one.

I used the drill, the sewing machine, a bit of embroidery & some strong (& good smelling adhesive) The only new item I purchased was the music maker - it plays "rock a bye baby".

I'm looking forward to the first Brown Owls meeting tonight only a few more hours - yipee!

x marks the spot
Magnetic Corner Bookmark
a tutorial

Gather your supplies:
Embroidery floss, scrap cardboard (a used cereal box is ideal), calico, scissors, craft knife, needle, fade out marker, adhesive backed magnetic tape.

Step 1:
Take a deep breath…there’s a bit of maths here.
Prepare your templates.
Cut a 13cm (5.1 inches) square from scrap cardboard
Cut a right angle triangle measuring: 7.5cm (2.95 inches) x 7.5cm (2.95 inches) with a hypotenuse of 10.5cm (4.13 inches).

Step 2:
Cut your magnetic tape to fit & stick it to the triangles so that they come together neatly. Set aside for later.

Step 3:
Using your square template as a guide cut out your calico. Leave a seam allowance outside the template of approximately 1.5 cm (3/4 inch).

Step 4:
Press your calico square around your cardboard template.

Begin by pressing the corners as pictured above.

Next press each of the sides as pictured. This removes a lot of the bulk in the corners & will keep the folds nice & neat.

Step 5:
Remove the cardboard template & fold the square in half to form a triangle.

Press. Fold in half again & press.

Step 6:

Print this template or just trace/draw your own "x".

Unfold your pressed triangle & positioned it right side up. Whip out your fade out marker, check your folds carefully & mark your “x” where you would like it positioned on the face of the book mark. You need to make sure that you mark your “x” in the left hand (or 9 o’clock) triangle of your square. Just bear in mind that the centre seam will run parallel to the spine of the book.

Step 7:
Stitch your “x”. Gift…use a speedy stitch like running or back stitch.

Step 8:

Once you’ve finished stitching your design place your work face down on the ironing board & repress the folds.

Step 9:

Position your triangle shapes (magnet side down) inside the seams & fold in half.

Step 10:

Pin to secure.

Step 11:

Running stitch along each of the short sides of your triangle.

Step 12:

Once you’ve completed the running stitch – make the final fold & remove your pin. Now blanket stitch the short side closed to form your “cuff”.

You’re finished & ready to gift.

...

Would you like the premium how to? There are lots more images, printable templates & some extra tips too. All for less that the price of a coffee & delivered to your inbox. CDs & kits also available - over here.

I fashioned this laptop stand out of bits & pieces I had lying around at home. The only things I had to buy for this project were two small hinges.

It's craft born out of necessity.

When we moved I cut an old table in half lengthways to make a slimline desk. Unfortunately my laptop & keyboard didn't fit properly on the desk so I was typing & reading at a really awkward (& uncomfortable) angle.

My brother has one of those store bought laptop stands so I rang him to find out where to buy one & went to the shop. I was horrified that this little piece of plastic was going to set me back around $80! In addition the sales person was extremely unhelpful so I huffed out of the shop determined to make one for myself.

I think practical things might as well also be beautiful. I've done a bit of embroidery to pretty things up & because I was unsure if my HAC would stand up to holding the laptop I didn't want my efforts to be in vain...

it's also a cookbook stand. Featuring the fabulous Minus the Boombah cookbook as recommended by Aunty Cookie.

it's taken me a bit longer than usual this year.

But I've officially caught the Christmas bug. I blame this girl for her constant stream of Christmassy goodness. Every time I hit "next" there's another bit of viral Christmas cheer.

The trees are up & the 2009 decorations were purchased from Mikes & made by Emerge - the kids love them & they are hanging front & centre on each tree.

I've had a crack at making some decorations of my own using wooden discs I purchased from Reverse Art & embroidery floss. I think my favourite is the tree.

Oops...I missed it.

This is what was on my desk yesterday.

- Op Shopped seersucker
- Op Shopped books. Some of those colouring book pages will make great embroidery.
- Op Shopped apple salt & pepper shakers. I think that they look a bit halloweenish actually.
- Combi van in progress. The big girl is making it for her book report on "The Floods".

On my desk...the players
On my desk...fresh updates

You've got to know when to hold them....
Know when to fold them...
Know when to walk away...
Know when to run...

OR just because you "can" doesn't mean you should!

I made this little guy for Craft Hope found via Loobylu.

The idea really touched me & I so wanted my doll to be utterly gorgeous & super squishy & cuddly. In an effort to make him "perfect" I decided to follow a pattern (this was mistake number 1). His arms & legs are way too long & his head is way too small & I had to stuff him too firmly so that his neck didn't flop. The only thing I like about this doll is his hair treatment which I made up!

My second mistake was using super soft expensive looking (but op shop purchased) stretch fabric which I then had to retrospectively interface! YIKES.

My obsessive, competitive nature won't allow me to be beaten (I prefer to think of it as "never say die").

I know I should run & leave this sort of thing to super clever people who actually have some talent (& for the time it's taken me I'd have been better purchasing from them & posting):

Jhoanna :: her shop
Fiona :: her shop
Victoria :: her shop
Michelle :: her shop

I've already cut out & interfaced & started the embroidery for my "no pattern" doll. I really hope he works!

I think it's finished. I haven't used the white...I thought maybe it might be too much. What do you think? It was made using the off cuts from the e.a.t lights I made for the kitchen last year.

Yesterday I worked on this in the sweltering heat & ate my weight in Cyclones & Lemonade Icy Poles.

I'm planning more of the same today. I've got some more faux wood embroidery plans & a "how to" for this cuff on the way as well.