Hello and Happy Monday to you! Welcome to week one of our Mini Sew Along!
This week, we are going to begin with the basics, so if you haven't yet received your kit, have a good read through and if you have any supplies to hand, please feel free to join in and practice with us.
Not yet bought a kit or PDF Pattern?
That's ok, you can buy the kit here
or the PDF Pattern here
and you can join in with the Sew Along at any time you wish.
We're going to start with the stitches. Full details are in the instructions of how to create each stitch. There are just 3 to master
In your kit you will find a small piece of linen with faint pencil lines on it. If you don't have the kit, just choose a small piece of fabric from your stash - linen/cotton/calico will work best.
Cut off a piece of Embroidery Thread (Tip of finger to inside elbow length is recommended) Divide the thread into 3 strands and thread your needle.
Following your Instructions guide, practice your backstitch working along one of the pencil lines as shown here:
Now let's turn our attention to the Long and Short Stitch. Follow your instructions to create your stitches, ensure each stitch is of different lengths in order to create a bark like effect as shown here:
*Note - each stitch should butt neatly to the one next to it to ensure you fill in the area.
It's now time to tackle the the French Knot. Again use your instructions for guidance and follow along one of the lines on your practice piece. You can vary the sizes by wrapping the thread more than 3 times, but do no more than 5. I deally you want to wrap 2 - 3 times as shown in this photo:
Wrap thread round needle 3 times
Wrap thread round needle 2 times
Once you feel confident with the stitches we can turn our attention to preparing your fabric. (If you are struggling with any of the stitches, don't worry, either practice some more, or see below for alternatives)
Taking your main piece of Linen/Cotton fabric, press it well - you may need to dampen it or add steam to press flat and reduce creasing. Your iron should be med-hot, but do test it first on your fabric.
Next we need to take our template as we are now going to trace the outline onto the Linen/Cotton. Follow your instructions how to do this, using a light box or a window. Then place your fabric into your hoop and ensure the fabric is taught.
Your hoop is now ready for you to backstitch your outline and fill in with the long and short stitch. Ensure you vary your threads as you go to add depth and texture. Have fun and use your own artistic licence for this.
Alternative
As an alternative you could Applique your Tree Base. In your kit you will have a piece of brown fabric and some fusible web. Following the instructions, trace your tree outline, and bond it to the brown fabric. Then cut it out and bond to your cotton/linen. You can then stitch in either one of the methods below - practice on scrap first to ensure you are confident.
Hand Applique (beginner)
Use a Stabbing or running stitch
Machine Applique (beginner to more confidedent)
With normal presser foot follow the outline with a straight stitch, being careful not to distort the points
(white thread used for you to see it)
Free-Motion Embroidery (advanced)
Drop your feed dogs, put on your darning foot or similar. move your fabric so that the needle draws lines around the edges of the tree. Get creative and move the fabric up and down to add thread lines for detail and perhaps swirl at the end of a branch to add more details.
Once you have practiced your techniques and you feel more confident, begin stitching your tree outline and don't forget to post your progess on social media with the hashtag #stitchbystitchsewalong
And don't forget to buy your kit or pdf pattern
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm with this and I can't wait to see your progress.
I'll see you back here next Monday xx
Happy Stitching
Michelle xx
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