All about...
EMBROIDERY
P
rinted fabrics aren’t the only
way to add interest to your
quilt – embroidery is also a
lovely, and traditional, way to
personalise your work. It’s always
been common to stitch on the
maker’s name and details, but how
about picking out parts of a design
with stitches as well? French knots
and running stitches are great for
highlighting small details.
You can also use a embroidery to
decorate a plain piece of fabric, as we’ve
done with the scissors motif in the centre
of the Log Cabin pincushion on page 110.TRACING DESIGNS 1 2
Most embroidery projects use templates,
which you’ll first need to transfer onto
your fabric in order to stitch the design.
Before you start tracing, press your
fabric. Plan where you want to place the
design and leave yourself enough space.
Check the instructions for whether you
need to enlarge the template on a
photocopier – you can enlarge or reduce
any design to suit your specific project.
The simplest way to transfer a design is
to trace it. Place the fabric right side up
over the template. Secure with maskingtape so it can’t slip. Trace over all the
lines using a pencil. If you struggle to see
through the fabric, trace the design onto
tracing paper with a fine black pen. Then
tape the design and fabric to a window or
light box, and trace the design. To help
with this, you could turn your fabric
upside down and stretch it into a hoop
with the right side in the back of the hoop
and the wrong side flush against the
design surface. Once you’ve traced the
design, remove the fabric from the frame
and reinsert it right side up, ready to sew.
If your fabric is too thick to do this, or
it’s impossible to trace through the
window, trace the design onto tracing
paper and pin to your fabric. Following
your pencil lines, tack around the design
using small stitches in a contrasting
coloured thread. Score along your tacking
stitches with the tip of a needle and then
remove the paper by tearing.
Alternatively, try dressmakers’ carbon
paper. Trace the design onto plain paper.Place the carbon paper over your fabric,
with the dark side next to the fabric
surface. Place your paper template on
top and trace over the outline using a
blunt pencil. Remove the carbon paper
and you will have created a dark outline
for your design.
Once you’ve drawn your design onto
the fabric, place it into a hoop or frame to
embroider it. This will provide the correct
tension, your stitches will be neater and it
will prevent the fabric from puckering.STARTING TO STITCH 3
To begin stitching, you need to secure the
start of your thread. Don’t just knot it
behind the fabric, as this can leave a
bump. Instead, use a waste knot. Knot
the end of the thread and take the needle
down through the fabric. Bring it up
again a short way away and start
stitching, catching the end of the thread
with your stitches as you work. Snip away
the knot and the thread will stay secure.Give your patchwork an eye-catching finish
with a few simple stitches! You’ll soon be
hooked on adding embroidery to your workAdding Texture
148 Beginner’s Guide to Quilting
3
Trace your picture directly onto your fabric using
a washable or fading fabric pen, available at most
craft and sewing shops.Place dressmaker’s carbon paper face down onto
your fabric. Place your picture on top and trace it
carefully using a blunt pencil.The tidiest way to secure your thread is using a
waste knot. Tie a knot to hold your thread in place,
start stitching and secure the thread as you go.Generations of quilters have embellished their
work with hand-stitched names and details1 2