Life is a Stitch
Beginner Embroidery Kit
Fingers Crossed
Fingers Crossed
This embroidery kit includes:
Drawstring pouch, instructional pamphlet, fabric with design, 6-inch bamboo hoop, 2 different floss colors, multicolored yarn, needle, scissors (optional add-on)
Welcome to your fingers crossed embroidery kit! Here you’ll find basic instructions for getting set up, finishing the hoop, and color and stitching guidelines, plus links to video tutorials.
Getting started:
Separate the two hoops by loosening the fastener at the top. Center the canvas design on top of the smaller hoop, then secure it taught with the larger hoop on top. Tighten the fastener, pulling the canvas tight at the same time to create a smooth, even surface to work with.
Each piece of floss is composed of 6 individual strands. You can separate these out to create thinner and thicker lines when embroidering. For this pattern, try using 3 strands for the back stitch.
Cut about an arm’s length of embroidery floss at a time and separate out your desired number of strands. Tie a double knot at the end of the floss to keep it in place in the back as you begin.
Types of Stitches in this Pattern:
Back Stitch
The back stitch is simple and versatile, used for making lines. More threads will result in thicker lines, and vice versa: try using 3 strands for the hand outline, and 4-6 for the bracelet.
1. Make a single, straight stitch (1-2) as long or short as you want.
2. Continue along your pattern line, but come up a space ahead (3) and bring your needle back down into the same hole at the end of the last stitch you made (4).
Seed Stitch
The seed stitch is essentially tiny straight stitches in different directions, used to fill space. In this pattern, the multicolored yarn is used to add a confetti-like appearance around the hand. Start in the bottom left and work your way around the had so the gradient of the yarn is gradual.
1. Take the needle up through the back of the fabric at the starting point of the shape (1).
2. Take the needle straight across and opposite from where you brought it up, puncturing the fabric to make a straight line (2).
3. Repeat, filling up the space, with each stitch facing random directions.
The bobbins of thread and yarn in your kit are numbered accordingly:
1 Black
2 Gold
3 Multicolored yarn
Finishing the hoop:
There are a number of ways to finish the back of the hoop once you’re done. One method is to thread a needle with more than enough thread or yarn to go all the way around the circle – whatever you have leftover.
Then, using large running stitches, working about ¼ inch from the fabric edge, and sew the excess cloth around the circle.
When you reach the beginning, pull both ends of thread to gather the fabric tightly and secure with a double knot.
Here’s a video for how to do this. Or if you have felt at home, consider giving this method a try!
And if you have hot glue at home, another method is to cut the excess fabric, leaving about a ¼ inch around the edge of the hoop (as can be seen earlier on this page). Then, hot glue the cut edges down along the inside hoop at the back.
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