Need a little break from it all? Why not slow down and join me as we stitch this sweet little Paint Brush for fun. It is hand embroidered on wool using techniques from my new book Joyful Stitching: Transform Fabric with Improvisational Embroidery.
The written and illustrated directions for Paint Brush, are also found in Free-Form Hand Embroidery on Wool along with 4 other projects stitched on wool.
Materials Needed for the Paint Brush Stitch-Along:
- Click here for the Paint Brush Stitch Kit or assemble the following items:
- 5” x 7” gray wool
- Size 8 pearl cotton threads in these colorways: White (or light value color) and Aquamarine, Butter, Salt Water Taffy or similar colors
- Printed pattern for the Paint Brush. Click here for a PDF of the pattern to download and print.
- Tracing paper
- Straight pins
- Black fine point marker
- Sizes 3 or 4 hand embroidery needles
Directions
Download and print out the Pattern PDF. Trace the brush pattern onto tracing paper using a black marker.
Tilt the tracing and pin it to the wool with straight pins.
Stitch the outline of the design onto the wool using the white or light colored thread. Follow the back marker lines on the tracing and use Running Stitches.
After stitching the outline, remove the paper using the tip of a pin to score the paper next to the stitches. Gently rip away the paper.
The Running Stitches define the edges of the design and will be removed after outlining the shapes with permanent stitches.
Stitch Stem Stitches at the top of the brush handle to form an oval shaped opening. Stitch Chain Stitches around the outline of the brush handle.
Fill in the brush handle with rows of Chain Stitches placed closely together.
Stitch Back Stitches around the outline of the ferrule or center of the brush.
Stitch rows of the Satin Stitch vertically across the ferrule leaving 1/4″ gaps between the rows.
Stitch rows of Stem Stitches from the ferrule to the base of the brush to form bristles. Start on the right side, follow the curve of the outline, and place the rows closely together.
Carefully remove the Running Stitches that initially formed the outline of the shapes.
Stitch French Knots between the rows of Satin Stitches on the ferrule.
Stitch Lazy Daisy Stitches around the tip of the brush to form paint drips.
Stitch French Knots inside of each Lazy Daisy Stitch.
Stitch Running Stitches in curves and swirls on the background fabric using one color of thread.
Stitch Running Stitches to fill the background fabric with a different color thread.
To display your work in a shadow box frame, use an acid-free mat and pierce 2 holes in the mat that match each corner of the embroidery. Stitch through the holes into the back of the embroidery at each corner.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the Paint Brush Stitch Along. You can find other stitch along tutorials here.