With Mother's Day around the corner, I thought it would be fun to design a simple pattern. It is very easy to complete and could be put on all different kinds of surfaces for gift giving. It measures about 2 inches wide by 2 3/4 inches tall. I designed it small, like a monogram, so it could be used just about anywhere. Some examples might be a handkerchief, tote, small drawstring bag, or even a 3 inch hoop. The hoop can be hung like an ornament or propped on a tiny easel. I used the FERN STITCH in this pattern that we learned last week so that you could practice your new skill. I also used the BACKSTITCH, FRENCH KNOTS, and some small STRAIGHT STITCHES.
At first glance this looks ridiculously simplistic. One of the things I really love about embroidery is watching a simple line drawing be transformed as you bring it to life with each stitch.
Click HERE to get your free PDF pattern.
Start by printing out the free pattern above. You will need:
SCISSORS - A nice sharp little pair of scissors for thread cutting
AN EMBROIDERY NEEDLE - I usually get a package of assorted embroidery/crewel needles and pick one that feels good with the fabric I am using. It aslso must a big enough eye to fit as least three threads. As a general rule, size 8 and above works well.
FABRIC - I chose a small zipper pouch. It was laminated in the inside making it a little tough to pull the needle through. Choose a fabric that is easy to work your needle through such as cotton or linen. (If you are curious about the water soluble stabilizer I used, you may read about that HERE. I really love using it because it works for both dark and light fabrics and is easy to apply to any surface you wish to embroider. Experiment and find what suits you best!)
PENCIL - You will need a sharp pencil to trace your pattern onto your fabric of choice. I traced mine onto water soluble paper sheets I referenced above. That makes it really easy to transfer onto any fabric you choose.
*OPTIONAL WOOD EMBROIDERY HOOP - If you want to place your fabric in a hoop it makes the fabric nice and tight which makes it so much easier to stitch. Also, you may want to use the hoop as a frame to present your gift. This design should fit nicely in the 3 inch hoop. I just went freehand on my zipper bag. By the way, I found the zipper pouch for just a couple of dollars at the craft store. Just check out some of those bins around the store. The tie-dye section usually has some fabric items, as does the embroidery section.
Start by tracing your pattern onto the fabric of your choice. The easiest way to do this is by taping the pattern to a bright window with a low tack tape such as painter or masking tape. Next tape the fabric over the pattern and trace with a sharp pencil.
Here is what the design looks like after it has been traced with pencil onto to the water soluble stabilizer.
Once you have transferred the pattern onto your fabric you are ready to start sewing. For my color palette, I chose pink and green for spring. I am a huge fan of the variegated threads. I love the color variations in the leaves which kind of mimics what you see in nature.
Pictured above is the stitch guide that I used to complete this pattern. This is by no means set in stone. Use whatever colors and stitches you would like. Feel free to try the STEM STITCH on the little twirls or even the FEATHER STITCH. Add some lazy daisy petals in random spots to resemble leaves. This is small enough that you can try it a few times and it will still be on time for Mother's Day.
I added some variation to my FERN STITCH by adding little straight stitches that look like tiny buds. FRENCH KNOTS would make nice little berries.
If you have used soluble paper and you are all done stitching, simply submerge the stitching in warm water to dissolve the paper. That's it! Feel free to try this more than once with different colors. A nice little dish towel would be really cute and you could use it as cloth 'wrapping paper" to put your gift in. A delicate little napkin would be sweet to tuck in with a little gift.
Here is another variation. A red/pink variegated color combo. This time I made the fern "branched at the tips much smaller so that there is more space between them. The first example had more overlap of the branches. I made the "M" letter in backstitch, then added COUCHING in a contrasting color. I added the lazy daisy leaves on the "M" and on the edge of each branch.
I used this little piece of embroidery to make a little square lavender sachet. There is a detailed tutorial HERE if you would like to make one for Mom or just to treat yourself!
If you want to practice your FERN STITCH a little further, I designed a pattern that is little more complex.
Some delicate pink and red roses bursting with lacy leaves and wrapped in a 'Mom' banner.
This pattern is currently available at my etsy shop for instant download. This project contains fern stitch, backstitch, and satin stitch. The stitches are simple but the project, overall, is detailed. I included some variations in the listing pictures that you can improvise to add your own flair. This design was completed on a white handkerchief which will be great as a keepsake for that special Mom in your life. Click HERE to reach this Mother's Day Listing.
I left a little room for improvising your own small buds and leaves.
Wishing ALL of you a Happy Mother's Day. Hope you take some time for YOU :)
Warmly and with Love
Pam