Hand-embroidered flowers, step by step
30 tutorials published
How six-strand cotton floss differs from perle cotton, how to separate strands without tangles, how many strands to use for each effect, and how to test and store thread.
Medium-weight woven cotton, linen and cotton-linen blends make the most reliable ground for hand embroidery. This guide covers weave, weight, prewashing, ground color and how big to cut.
Three daisies with straight-stitch petals, French knot centers and stem-stitch stems. The design is given with measurements so you can draw it straight onto fabric.
Three ways to get a drawn flower onto fabric: tracing over a light source, transfer paper and stick-on water-soluble stabilizer, with advice on which suits light or dark cloth.
How to load fabric into an embroidery hoop so it stays drum-tight, choose between 4, 6 and 8 inch sizes, bind the inner ring and deal with hoop marks and slipping.
A hoop, woven fabric, cotton floss, needles, small scissors and a marking pen are enough to stitch a first flower. Here is what to choose for each and what can wait.
