Category Archives: Felt Along

Stitches Telling a Story: Improv #4

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Every time I take a stitch I’m reminded of how hand embroidery brings artwork to life. How I enjoy these stitches that create a story on cloth!

With a few Stem Stitches water streams under the bridge into the river. Chain Stitches form a boat waiting for the owners of the house to take their trip. And a combination of Chain stitches, French Knots, and Fly Stitches create a sun rising behind the clouds to cheer them along their river journey. It is hand embroidery that brings this story to life.

Complete Your Nut House: Frieda’s Nut House #6

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friedasnuthouseWe are finishing up Frieda’s Nut House Stitch Along and are about to move in and rearrange furniture.

As you complete your little embroidery, I hope to see images of your final designs. Email a photo to me at laura@artfabrik.com

Note: If you’re just joining us, see a list of materials on Frieda’s Nut House Stitch-Along Tutorial page and complete Steps 1 – 15.

 

 

Step #16

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  • Stitch Chain Stitches in a large arc across on the background fabric from the upper edges of the right side of the sky to make the sun. Stitch the arc to measure about 1 1/2″ in diameter making the outline of the sun. Use a size 12 thread (like Butter) and a size 5 or 7 embroidery needle.
  • Continue to stitch Chain Stitches in rows right next to each other following the same arc to fill in the sun shape.

Step #17

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  • Stitch wavy rows of Chain Stitches horizontally across the background fabric to make clouds. Use a size 12 thread (like Ocean).
  • Stitch the clouds to within 1/4″ of the sides and top edges of the fabric. 

Step #18

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  • Carefully trim the background  fabric square if necessary leaving a scant 1/4″ of fabric around the edges for stitching the design to the backing fabric.
  • Center and pin the embroidery to the backing fabric.
  • Stitch-tack the embroidery onto the backing fabric.

Step #19

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  • Stitch Blanket Stitches around the edge of the background fabric attaching it to the backing fabric. Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Lettuce) and a size 3 embroidery needle.
  • Trim the edges of the backing fabric to within 1/4″ of the background fabric.
  • Label your embroidery with your name and date.
  • Congratulations on making your nut house!

Stitch Your Garden: Frieda’s Nut House #5

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zinnia1Having just planted over 200 zinnias in my garden, I have to say, stitching a garden is much easier.

Time to plant (stitch) our Frieda’s Nut House garden.

Note: If you’re just joining us, see a list of materials on Frieda’s Nut House Stitch-Along Tutorial page and complete Steps 1 – 11. 

Step #12

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  • Stitch Lazy Daisy Stitches vertically across the top of the ground to form leaves. Use a size 12 thread (like Emerald Isle) and a size 5 or 7 embroidery needle.
  • Stitch Stem Stitches vertically from the top of the row of Lazy Daisy stitches on the bottom edge of the ground to form flower stems. Use the same color thread as above.

Step #13

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  • Stitch Straight Stitches inside each Lazy Daisy leaf on the top of the ground. Use a size 12 pearl cotton thread (like Oranges).
  • Stitch 2 Lazy Daisy Stitches at an angle on the tip of each flower stem to form flower petals. Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Prinky Phlox) and a size 3 embroidery needle. 
  • Stitch a French Knot on top of each flower. Use a size 12 pearl cotton thread (like Oranges). 
  • Stitch Straight Stitches inside each flower petal. Use a size 12 thread (like Violets).

Step #14

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  • Stitch Stem Stitches horizontally and in curvy lines across the bottom edge of the fabric to make waves of water. Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Aquamarine). 
  • Stitch the waves to within 1/4″ of the sides and bottom edges of the fabric.