Christmas stitcheries tutorial

 

 

Hi everyone, this is a stitched gift I made for a friend, don't you just love the little elf sleeping on Santa's sack? I wrapped it in a cellophane bag and trimmed it with red ribbon and then attached a pretty gift card. (not shown). I attached swarovski crystals and a little hand made with love tag.

 

Of course it is another free stitchery pattern, courtesy of Joypatch here.

If you would like to know how to make this ornament check out this pinkeep tutorial on my blog where you will find details of how to make one.

 

I have some more photos below and a christmas stitcheries tutorial to show how to prepare your fabric for stitching these cute designs.

 

  

 

Here is the reverse side, I usually like to stitch the name on the back but I did not have time, but I think the fabric is lovely.

 

Next is the tutorial to show you how to prepare and stitch these designs. 

 

You will need:

 

Fabric, I used calico but any 100% cotton fabric will do.

Red DMC stranded cotton number 304

Lightweight interfacing

Fine pencil or permanent fine fabric marker. 

 

I used this pencil but I have now bought a fine permanent fabric marker.  

 

  

 

 

Print off your design

Place your fabric over your design and add three inches around all sides

Cut to size.

Trace your design  - see photo below

 

 

Once the design is traced you then need to Iron the lightweight interfacing or Pellon ( American name ) to the reverse side of the fabric.

 

In each DMC stranded cotton thread there are six strands, you need to take two strands measuring no longer than 18 inches (this will prevent it from getting tangled) and thread your needle.

Start stitching small backstitches as shown in the photo, covering your narrow lines as you go. 

 

 

Make sure you stitch into the previous hole where your last stitch ended, if you don't there will be a small gap and it will make your finished stitching look untidy.

Make your stitches smaller when stitching around small tight curves as this will give the curve definition.  

 

 

This is the completed design with the little elf sleeping, I used this part of the design for the ornament above.

 

 

Press your finished stitchery by placing face down onto a thick towel, this prevents your stitches from becoming flattened.

 

You are now ready to frame it or make it into a pillow or wall hanging. 

 

 

Until next time - Happy Stitching!