SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- Embroidery thread, light pink, 3
- Embroidery thread, red, 3
- Embroidery thread, yellow, 1
- Embroidery thread, green, 1
- Embroidery thread, navy blue, 1
- DMC Aida, 14 ct, Carolina Linen, Salt
- Embroidery needle
- 5" Embroidery hoop
- Felt, Red
- Felt, Green
- Felt, Pink
- Felt, Yellow
- Hot glue gun
- Quilt batting
- Tape
- Scissors
DIRECTIONS:
- Cut a piece of Aida slightly larger than the 5" embroidery hoop. Secure the Aida in the hoop.
- Cut an arms-length of embroidery thread. Separate out three strands. Fold the strands in half. Thread the cut ends through the embroidery needle. Pull the needle through the first stitch of the pattern, working back to front, making sure not to pull the loop through from the back. Work the rest of the stitch front to back. Work the needle through the looped thread at the back of the piece and pull tightly to secure.
- Stitch desired pattern following stitch chart and using the continental tent stitch. Create the tent stitch by working the thread in small diagonal stitches all running in the same direction (ie. \).
- Remove piece from hoop.
- Trim the Aida approx 1/4" from the edge of the design.
- Fold the remaining Aida to the back of the piece and iron flat.
- Trace the shape of the finished stitched piece onto a piece of felt to be used as a backing. Cut the felt to size.
- Cut a piece of quilt batting so that it fits to the back of the embroidered piece, but is 1/4" shorter on each side.
- Create a small loop for hanging by knotting threads. Cut three pieces of embroidery thread approximately 6". Knot one end and tape it to a work surface.
- Separate one thread from the three, make a loop across the other pieces creating a 4 shape. Move the working thread under the other threads and pull it up through the loop and pull tightly. Repeat this until there are 25 knots. Knot all three strands together.
- Hot glue the loop to the top, back of the embroidered piece.
- Lay the batting onto the back middle of the piece. Lay the felt over the batting and hot glue each edge to the back of the embroidered piece.