My First Embroidery Project
What you need to get started:
Cotton or linen fabric in white, off-white or a light color. I used a white cloth napkin and it worked really well.
An embroidery hoop (size depends on the size of the drawing)
A transfer pencil and tape or a regular pencil
Embroidery floss
Embroidery needles
I just laid the cloth over the drawing and traced it with a regular pencil but the more experienced sewers use a transfer pencil. If you want to use your own child's drawing, have him make a sketch on a piece of paper using pencil or a dark marker. Tape the drawing to a window so that the blank side of the paper is facing you. Trace the drawing using the transfer pencil. Pin the drawing transfer side down to the fabric. Follow the instructions that come with your transfer pencil to iron it on.
Either method you use, once you have your drawing on the fabric, place the fabric in the embroidery hoop.
Separate the 6 strands of embroidery floss into two sets of 3 strands. Thread the needle for your child. A great tutorial on how to thread a needle and knot the thread can be found here. More about beginning hand sewing here.
I taught the boys my version of a back stitch and Katie did a open chain stitch but they ended up doing their own unique stitches. I didn't care since it was the experience I was interested in, not their learning stitches properly. If you are interested in your child learning proper stitching, here is a great link to short instructions on all sorts of stitches. I think, however that uneven stitches and little mistakes add to it's charm.
Have your child work on it for as long as it holds their interest. Mine sewed in very small increments, as my boys didn't have a very long attention span, but over time it was completed, and they certainly have a greater appreciation for the work that goes into it.
The finished product can be framed and hung or can be made into a pillow.
Cotton or linen fabric in white, off-white or a light color. I used a white cloth napkin and it worked really well.
An embroidery hoop (size depends on the size of the drawing)
A transfer pencil and tape or a regular pencil
Embroidery floss
Embroidery needles
I just laid the cloth over the drawing and traced it with a regular pencil but the more experienced sewers use a transfer pencil. If you want to use your own child's drawing, have him make a sketch on a piece of paper using pencil or a dark marker. Tape the drawing to a window so that the blank side of the paper is facing you. Trace the drawing using the transfer pencil. Pin the drawing transfer side down to the fabric. Follow the instructions that come with your transfer pencil to iron it on.
Either method you use, once you have your drawing on the fabric, place the fabric in the embroidery hoop.Separate the 6 strands of embroidery floss into two sets of 3 strands. Thread the needle for your child. A great tutorial on how to thread a needle and knot the thread can be found here. More about beginning hand sewing here.
I taught the boys my version of a back stitch and Katie did a open chain stitch but they ended up doing their own unique stitches. I didn't care since it was the experience I was interested in, not their learning stitches properly. If you are interested in your child learning proper stitching, here is a great link to short instructions on all sorts of stitches. I think, however that uneven stitches and little mistakes add to it's charm.
Have your child work on it for as long as it holds their interest. Mine sewed in very small increments, as my boys didn't have a very long attention span, but over time it was completed, and they certainly have a greater appreciation for the work that goes into it.
The finished product can be framed and hung or can be made into a pillow.
