Category Archives: embroidery

embroidery, felt embroidery

Felt embroidery tutorial

October 14, 2020 TeresaDownUnder 5 Comments

Using felt die cuts and embroidery is a lot of fun. It’s a perfect project to make with your kids or grand kids.

Here’s a basic demonstration of how to embroider a basic felt flower.

Tutorial

Materials

Felt die cuts in assorted colours. You can buy the die cuts here, here and here.
Sequins (optional)
Beads (optional)
Stranded cotton in matching colours

You can either plan ahead the final design or just improvise like I do.

The following are just recommendations rather than a tutorial on how to embellish a felt flower.

Start with a collection of die cuts in felt. My die cuts are store bought but this can be done with hand cut felt shapes just as well.

Before stitching the felt shapes together, arrange them in any way you feel fit.

Place layer after layer.

At this stage we’re only working out which design works best.

Another combination.

Once you are done you’ve chosen your petal combination you are ready to add sequins, beads and embroidery stitches.

Embellishing the flowers

If you work with several shapes pin them to the previous layer.

Then, stitch the top layer to the base using decorative stitches.

There are a number of stitches you can use for the outline of the petals. My favourites are running stitch or blanket stitch.

I used running stitch for the darker petals.

And blanket stitch for the green petals.

Now attach the next layer, and the next. In this case I stitch layer 3 and 4 at the same time by adding some long stitches and attaching beads on each petal on the top flower.

When stitching each layer you can decide if you will embellish each layer completely separately or at the end or you’ll do a mix. I find it is easier to embellish during and after all layers are stitched together.

Sometimes it’s best to wait to place the top layers to know how much space will be left for certain embellishments. For instance you can add a small bead about anywhere but a sequin requires more space.

For instance I embellished the second last layer first because I wanted to use long stitches that would be visible under the petals of the green top flower.

I added sequins and beads to layers 1, 2 and 3 after all layers had been stitched together.

Close up.

Use more or fewer sequins/beads or embroidery as required.

Use interesting colour combinations.

Now I just to have to figure out what to do with all the flowers! Any suggestions?

applique, Christmas embroidery, christmas pattern, easy sewing project, embroidery, fabric scraps project, free pattern, free-motion, tutorial

Tutorial: Merry Christmas bunting

December 6, 2016 TeresaDownUnder 6 Comments

Here is my favourite Christmas decoration. It’s quite long at 140″ but can be adjusted.

Patterns

Download free Christmas vectors (zip) from Spoongraphics for your appliqué
Download free lettering and bunting templates (pdf).When cutting the bunting pattern add 1¼ all around for seam allowance

Fabric needs

assorted scrap fabric in white and red for the appliqué. Use fabrics that will have enough contrast so the design shows through
assorted scrap fabric in white, green and red for the triangles
lightweight fusible interfacing for the flags
black thread
felt scraps in beige
stranded cotton in beige
double sided interfacing for the appliqué
140″ x 1 1/2″ bias tape in red, green or white

Tracing and fusing the appliqué

Trace the appliqué on to the double sided interfacing. I only used interfacing for cotton fabrics. The felt pieces weren’t fused, just pinned in place and stitched by hand.

Cut each shape roughly leaving some space around each shape and fuse to the fabric, then to the triangles following the manufacturer’s instructions. I used Heat’n Bond, the light variety.

After ironing, cut each shape and place on the flag. Place all shapes together and fuse at once.

Draw the eyes, the snowman buttons and any other lines you will be stitching along.

After the fabric is fused, cut the felt pieces and stitch to the design.

Now iron on the lightweight fusible interfacing to the back of the triangle. The interfacing will make the bunting sit better but it will also act as stabiliser for the appliqué.

Now the fun part starts. Using black thread stitch all around the appliqué edges as in the original paper sketches.

Don’t worry if your lines aren’t straight, mine are pretty rough.

Go around each line at least twice. I used the darning foot but didn’t lower the dogs so the fabric wasn’t too loose. I found that I didn’t have so much control with the dogs down.

You will end up with a lot of threads at the end of it. Just cut them close to the fabric so they don’t show through the fabric.

Close ups

Now let’s add all the lettering MERRY XMAS.

Download the typography (pdf), print it and proceed to fuse it to the flags.

Cut 9 flags and fuse the letters to the flags.

Cut 9 triangles of one sided fusible interfacing and iron to the back of each flag.

Then draw the inside lines of each letter to make it 3D as per pattern.

Stitch around each line and around the edge of each letter as per picture below).

Now you will need to add some backing to each flag. Cut 13 triangles in a matching fabric or calico.

Place front and back flags right sides together and stitch around 2 sides leaving the top open to turn inside out. Trim the pointy end of the triangle before turning inside out.

Note: I forgot to take a picture of this step so the photos below are from a similar project.

Turn inside out and push the corner out with a pointy blunt instrument. Iron flat.

Top stitch each triangle around 3 sides leaving a one quarter seam allowance.

Trim the open end of each triangle.

The triangles are ready to be placed on the bias tape.

Sewing the bunting to the bias tape

Distribute the flags along the strip.

Fold the strip in half and pin it in the middle. Use this mark to place the first flag.

After pinning the first flag, continue to place a flag on each side leaving 3 ½ inches separation between flags.

After all flags have been pinned, top stitch along the strip.

Fold both ends of the strip to make a hook as per picture.

Stitch.

All done.

acolchado, applique, embroidery, quilting, tutorial

Valentine’s day sewing tutorials

February 3, 2016 TeresaDownUnder Leave a comment

There’s still time for a Valentine’s Day project.

Choose one of the 7 projects I have made. They’re free. Different techniques to choose from: traditional patchwork, improv patchwork, embroidery, fabric manipulation, foundation piecing and reverse appliqué.

Love is the answer… hot water bottle cozy tutorial

With this tutorial you can start learning or polish up three different skills: patchwork, embroidery and appliqué.

Heart pincushion

Make this pincushion with the hot water bottle heart cut out.

Pigeon pair placemat set

Learn reverse applique and improv patchwork technique with this easy tutorial.

Scrappy heart potholder tutorial

The easiest block to start learning foundation piecing. This was my first try and a few more potholders down the track I’m doing a whole quilt using this patchwork technique.

Groovy heart mug rug

Do you like fabric textures and fabric manipulation? This is an easy fabric manipulation to start with.

Foundation paper piecing heart block

Make a potholder, a mini quilt or a lap quilt using this block and master foundation paper piecing while you’re at it.

XOXO lap quilt

This is a beginner quilt. Choose your favourite pink and grey fabrics and make this easy modern quilt. Equally beautiful in reds and blacks/greys.

applique, craft, easy sewing project, embroidery, fabric scraps project, free-motion, sewing, tutorial

Follow me napkins

June 13, 2015 TeresaDownUnder 9 Comments

A set of 6 napkins of my favourite media services.

I’m not the most active crafter in social media though I use several services to share my work. That’s how my Follow me napkins came about. Follow me!

Materials

6 store bought white napkins
Double sided iron on interfacing
Fabric scraps for the icon background
White fabric for the logo

Download Follow me napkins (pdf) pattern.

Instructions

Print and cut out all the pattern shapes.

Trace 6 squares using the pattern.

Cut 6 squares.

Cut all icons with care.

Important: All icons need to be traced over double sided iron interfacing from the wrong side. See photo below.

Then iron double sided interfacing on to the white fabric.

Cut logo carefully on the line.

Remove the paper to reveal the adhesive side.

Place logo on the background square making sure placement is in the right angle. And press following manufacturing instructions.

Now using black thread and machine free motion, embroider around the edge of the icon. I went around the edge about 3 times, maybe 4 in some areas.

You could use some fabric stabiliser to top fabric from puckering. My stabiliser of choice is just plain printer paper.

Now applique the square to the napkin.

Use printer paper as stabiliser placing it on the wrong side of the napkin.

Pin 3 layers well.

Stitch around the edges 3 times.

Turn over.

Remove the paper.

Pinterest napkin is done!

5 more to go.

In order to save iron on double sided interfacing -it is quite expensive after all- I traced all the other icons on one single line as per picture, pressed on fabric and then cut out the shapes.

Now Twitter’s turn.

Same deal as before. Use some paper as interfacing.

The paper is easy to remove.

Social media napkins - Raw edge free motion embroidery - Free tutorial and download

Skype’s logo is a bit tricky to cut. Make sure to use a small pair of scissors.

Tumblr.

LinkedIn.

And Facebook.

Social media napkins - Raw edge free motion embroidery - Free tutorial and download

Tutorial and patterns for social media napkins - Follow me napkins

acolchado, applique, embroidery, quilting, tutorial

Valentine’s day patchwork

February 4, 2015 TeresaDownUnder 1 Comment

Traditional patchwork, improv patchwork, embroidery, fabric manipulation, foundation piecing and reverse applique. These are the techniques you can learn while you complete a Valentine’s Day project.