September 11

Today we commemorate that tragic day in 2001 when the World Trade Center was attacked. It's an event that has changed our lives in ways that we could never imagine. Perhaps we can pause to remember the innocent victims and brave heroes who lost their lives that day?

If you'd like to know, here's how I made this World Trade Center embroidery:  

Let's begin with the materials we need: fabric, a pair of scissors, an embroidery hoop, a needle and embroidery floss.

I made a basic sketch of the Towers using a photo for reference. A piece of carbon paper makes transferring the image to fabric much easier. 

Cut the carbon paper to your desired size. Sandwich it between the fabric and the paper with the design. Keep the layers in place with pins and, with a steady but forceful hand, trace the design with a pencil.

Look, the transfer was a success!

Secure the cloth onto an embroidery hoop and begin sewing. 

The Towers, now embroidered. TADA!

A simple craft so that we will always remember.

Tea Towel Embroidery

One of my favorite sections at Anthropologie is their kitchen section. The curios are original, colorful and crafty.

I was naturally drawn to these tea towels. They make really nice hostess gifts. Then I thought, maybe I can make my own version.

I chose this plaid pastel tea towel.  

For the designs, I traced them from the book Little Stitches. I think a little girl on a bicycle is adorable.

But a little girl and a little boy on bicycles are extra adorable.

Add a few balloons for an explosion of adorable! As you can see, I traced the drawings with a pencil on white tissue paper.

I secured the design to the tea towel with pins.

Then sewed over it using a needle and embroidery floss.

Once all the stitches were in place, I gently tore off the paper. I used a pin to pry out any stubborn paper.

And here it is, kiddies on wheels...TADA! Looking at it, I should have made the stitches tighter and more defined.  And maybe used less strands of floss {they look like they're wearing cable knit sweaters! LOL!}.

 But it was a fun afternoon activity, nonetheless. See you all tomorrow!

Little Stitches

Happy new week, everyone! I'm still under an embroidery spell so we'll have a few more sewing features if that's alright with you.

We'll base our designs on this darling book, perfect for the embroidery novice.

It's written by the talented Aneela Hoey whose writing voice is of a friendly teacher guiding the reader on essentials like putting together an embroidery tool kit, transferring patterns to cloth, and how to do basic stitches.

There are helpful photos and guides to complete a project.

Enclosed in the book are free patterns printed on transfer paper that can be used multiple times. The drawings have an innocence and familiarity about them. 

Just like last Friday, I'm using jewelry pouches. The contents are on regular rotation and sit on this dish on my dresser. Time to turn these bags from blah to TADA!

Because the fabric is sheer, it's easy to trace the design straight from the book.

Here's what my basket of cherries looks like all embroidered.

For the bigger pouch, I'll use the cherry tree.

With a combination of a chain stitch, running stitch and knots, I've added color to my pouch.

And for the final pouch, a pair of cherries.

Quite easy, really, but being aware to make the back neat and the knots hidden.

Cheery, cherry-themed pouches I can reuse to wrap small presents. TADA!

Thread + Type

Hey, hey, happy Friday! Now that we've got the basic materials for embroidery all set up, it's time to sew! 

I'm turning these fabric pouches from blah to TADA! They served as packaging for some jewelry I received. Similar ones can be sourced on-line or if you're sewing savvy, they're pretty simple to make.

I'm using these iron-on pattern transfers I got at a craft fair.

I'm digging the old school office supplies and cat eye glasses.

I cut around the pattern and figured where best to put it on the pouch.

Then I ironed the pouch to smooth out any wrinkles and to heat up the fabric. The iron-on transfer adheres better when the fabric is warm.

I positioned the design on the fabric ink side facing down. 

With the iron on cotton/wool setting {no steam}, I passed the iron over the pattern to heat it up {I held the iron over it for about 2 minutes} , making sure that it didn't move {if necessary, anchor it with pin}. 

I gently lifted up an edge of the pattern to check the intensity of the transfer {if it's too light, continue ironing until the desired darkness is achieved}.

Once the pattern cooled, I kept it with the other patterns in an envelope -- these can be used over and over again.

I sandwiched the fabric in an embroidery loop and chose black floss {two strands} to sew my typewriter. 

I used a split stitch for the straight lines {I'm pleased that it resembles a drawing}.

For the circles in the design {ex. keys}, I used a French knot {sounds fancy but very easy to do}.

And here is my tiny typewriter...TADA! 

Perhaps I can give it away as a token to a fellow writer, filled with index cards with writing prompts. What do you think?

Have a sweet weekend!

Sew Organized

One of the essential items for embroidery is floss:

But once these are removed from the package, 

does this happen to you?

 A tangle of thread!

To turn this situation from blah to TADA!, here's my solution:

 I cut small squares out of cardboard.

 Trim them a little bit more so they look like spools.

Then punch a hole on top.

 Mark each cardboard spool with the color code of 

the thread {printed on the slip-on label}.

 Neatly wind the embroidery floss on the corresponding board,

tucking in the ends.

 Finally, insert the spools on a binder ring.

A manageable way to keep thread in their place. 
TADA!