Our first embroidery stitches will define the focal point of the Home in the Country design- the house. We’ll begin by outlining the house shape and then fill it in with colorful threads.

As we begin to stitch, I am reminded of how easy it is to stitch wool or felt. It is gentle on the hands allowing you to enjoy the stitch process and love the result.

Please note that directions are added to the Home in the Country Stitch-Along page after they are first posted here on the Artfabrik blog. You can join anytime.

Step #3- Stitching the House

• Stitch Stem Stitches to outline the house and roof shape following the running stitches.
• Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Aquamarine) and a size 3 hand embroidery needle.
• Remove the running stitches that surround the house shape.

• Stitch Chain Stitches horizontally in close rows across the house shape to fill in the base of the house.
• Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Butter).

• Stitch Blanket Stitches horizontally across the roof shape. Begin at the base of the roof and face the stitches so the tines of the Blanket Stitches touch the stem stitches that outline the bottom curve of the roof.
• Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Aquamarine).
• Continue to stitch rows of Blanket Stitches up to the tip of the roof making rows of box shapes.

• Stitch a French Knot inside each box made by the blanket stitches on the roof.
• Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Red Hots).

• Stitch Stem Stitches vertically and next to each other on the house to make a door measuring about 3/8” high. Stitch just into the threads that make the house not into the fabric behind it.
• Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Aquamarine).
• Stitch a French knot on the door to make the doorknob. Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Red Hots).
• Stitch Stem Stitches  vertically and next to each other on the house to make 5 windows measuring about 1/4″ high. Use a size 12 thread (like Ocean) and a size 5 hand embroidery needle.
• Stitch Straight Stitches around the outside of each window and across each window to create window panes. Use a size 12 thread (like Bordeaux).

Ladies and gentlemen raise your needles! It is time to start our free tutorial, Home in the Country.

This free-form hand embroidery is made on a single piece of wool fabric and measures about 8″ x 10″ when complete. You can join the stitch-along at any time.

In this step we are transferring the shapes for the house, hills, tree, and sun to the fabric using a pattern you can download and print.

Please note that directions are added to the Home in the Country Stitch-Along page after they are first posted here on the Artfabrik blog.

Gather Your Tools and Supplies

The wool fabric I’m using in Home in the Country is a dream to stitch! It is a hand-dyed wool from my favorite wool dyer Tracy Trevethan. Using Tracy’s wool, I’ve assemble a Stitch Kit for you along with all the threads you’ll need to make the design. Or you can assemble your own stitch kit. You can see a complete list of the items you’ll need here including the link to the pattern.

Step #2- Transferring the Pattern Shapes

• Download and print out this Word document of the Home in the Country pattern. Or print out this PDF of the Home in the Country pattern.
• Complete the directions below. Or follow the directions on the printed Home in the Country pattern to transfer the shapes to the fabric.
• Place tracing paper on the drawing and trace it with a black marker. If you like, copy the dashed lines around the pattern too. It’s not necessary but they can help you line up the pattern on the fabric.

• Place the fabric vertically so it is 8″ across by 10″ high.
• Position the tracing paper on the wool fabric.
• Pin the tracing paper into place.

• Follow the black marker lines on the tracing and stitch the outline of the shapes in the design using Running Stitches. (Do not stitch the dashed lines around the edge if you have traced them.)
• Stitch with a sewing thread (40 or 50 weight) or a size 12 pearl cotton in a color contrasting to the background fabric and a sewing needle or size 5 embroidery needle.

• 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 stitching the shapes with permanent stitches.

A Free Tutorial

Please join me in this free tutorial for Home in the Country. Stitch along with me and create a whimsical house near a spring fed pond nestled in the rolling hills of the mid-west. The design is made with free-form hand embroidery on a single piece of wool fabric and measures about 8″ x 10″ when complete.

I’ll show you step-by-step how to create your Home in Country over the next few weeks. There is a simple pattern to download for the house, tree, fields, and sun. We’ll use basic hand embroidery stitches and pearl cotton threads in sizes 8 and 12.

Your first step is to gather your supplies for the stitch-along and to print out the pattern. You’ll also need basic sewing tools like a pair of scissors, thimble, and straight pins. No embroidery hoop is needed.

Please note that directions are added to the Home in the Country Stitch-Along page as we go. They are first posted here on the Artfabrik blog.

Step #1
Click here for a Home in the Country Stitch Kit or assemble the following items:

• Light blue medium weight wool measuring 8? x 10?
• Yellow gold felt measuring 9? x 11? for backing
• Sewing thread for transferring the pattern shapes in a color contrasting to the wool
• Size 8 pearl cotton threads in these colors: turquoise (Aquamarine), yellow (Butter), red (Red Hots), variegated red violet (Grape Juice), variegated green (Lime Frappe), variegated yellow/orange (Sunrise), green (Peas in a Pod), variegated red/violet/turquoise/green/gold (Asters)
• Size 12 pearl cotton threads in these colors: purple (Bordeaux) and light blue (Ocean)
• Size 3 and 5 hand embroidery needles
• Tracing paper for transferring the pattern shapes
• Download and print out this Word document of the Home in the Country pattern. Or print out this PDF of the Home in the Country pattern.