I first learned about sewing when I was in 3rd grade (ish... it was a long time ago) with my Girl Scout troupe when I was still living in California. We made little quilted pillows to give to kids in a children's hospital. Later, when my iron on badges would fall off my GS sash, I learned how to sew them back on by hand. Later on I my parent's gave me a sewing machine and I learned how to make simple clothes and eventually made a quilt. Forgotten skills like sewing give me a creative outlet, but they're also really stinking useful. Got a hole in your shirt? Fixed. Love those shorts in the store but they're too long? Fixed. Dress doesn't fit quite right? Fixed. These are all reasons why learning to sew is important. One of the best ways to learn the basics of needle crafts is with simple embroidery stitches AND you don't need a sewing machine to do it.
In the spirit of Cold Brew I decided to pick up my very old and rusty hobby and re-learn how to embroider. In the few weeks that I've been working on this project, it's quickly become one of my favorite hobbies. Losing track of time as I work out the design is exhilarating. I'll sit and work while I'm watching Netflix and all that pent up energy that makes you check facebook 15 times during one episode is gone (because my hands are busy) and I get to feel productive even if I'm just sitting around doing nothing on a Saturday.
Getting started is simple. I'll show you some basic stitches and I hope it inspires you to pick up a new skill. Here's a handy reference picture.
Supplies
Fabric - cotton is nice but anything without a lot of texture works (I cut up my old dorm sheets)
Embroidery floss - certain colors will speak to you when you're in the craft store; go with it Embroidery hoop - trust me this makes your life 10x easier. I got mine from Hobby Lobby for less than $2 Needle with a large eye (ex. tapestry needle) - this is different than the needle you would use to sew on a button Masking tape (optional) - this is helpful if you want to keep any raw edges from fraying Flowers
1. In the beginning it is SUPER helpful to draw out what you're stitching.
2. This flower is made with something called a satin stitch (yes I looked that up because I'm self-taught). To make this type of flower, start by poking the needle up through the INNER edge of the outline and send the needle back down the OUTER edge of the outline. 1st stitch: INNER to OUTER. All remaining stitches: OUTER to INNER. This is probably poor professional technique but this is CB@22 and I'm doing it my way, which is the best part about DIY. 3. Keep working your way around the outline. Leaves
1. Put two back stitches up the middle of the leaf
2. Fill in the leaf one half at a time. 3. Done with the leaf. 4. Fill in with yellow accents.
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AuthorEmma Neale: (young) adult, cat mom, and aspiring for adventure. Archives
February 2019
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