Australian_Homespun_2016_07_

Preparation and cutting

1

From the off-white cotton or

linen fabric, cut:

• One rectangle, 15 x 13in
  (background). This will be trimmed
  after the embroidery is complete.

2

From the red tone-on-tone fabric, cut:

• Two strips, 3 x 13in (top and
  bottom borders).

3

Tape the pattern to a lightbox

or well-lit window. Centre the

15 x 13in rectangle of off-white

fabric, right side up and in ‘portrait’

orientation, over the design and

tape it in place. Use a very fi ne

fabric marker to trace the design

carefully. Keep the lines very fi ne

so one strand of thread covers them.

4

Fuse a 15 x 13in rectangle of

stabiliser to the wrong side

of the traced fabric.

Embroidery

5

Referring to the Stitchery Guide

below, embroider the design. A

few notes follow, which may assist

with the fi ner details.

6

For the children’s eyes, Melissa

worked the upper curves in

backstitch with two or three vertical

backstitches below them. The

eyebrows are a single backstitch.

The noses are one horizontal

backstitch worked slightly loose so

that it curves a little. The lower lips

have a second line of backstitch

inside the fi rst to give them a little

more defi nition.

7

The buttons and shoe bows are

fi lled with two or three vertical

backstitches.

8

For the Gold thread, use just one

thickness as it comes off the spool

• it’s not divisible. The bells have the
  little rows of dots worked in tiny
  running stitches and the clapper is
  fi lled with two or three backstitches.

9

When stitching the musical text,

work the music stave before the

lettering and notes. The mid-air notes

are outlined in tiny backstitches and

fi lled with vertical satin stitches.

There’s no need to outline the notes

attached to the letters.

STITCHERY GUIDE

Design area Thread Stitch

Face outlines, ears, eyes,

noses, mouths and necks Carrot Seed (310) One strand Backstitch

Headband and hair Carrot Seed (310) Backstitch

Dress, shorts, shirt and shoes Carrot Seed (310) Backstitch

Hands, arms, legs and socks Carrot Seed (310) One strand Backstitch

Book outline Oregano (809) Backstitch

Lines on book Oregano (809) One strand Backstitch

Bell Gold Backstitch and running stitch

Dog fur and details Carrot Seed (310) Backstitch

Dog’s eye Carrot Seed (310) One strand Backstitch and satin stitch

Nose Carrot Seed (310) Satin stitch

Bow Toffee Apple (1) Backstitch

Brickwork and ground Carrot Seed (310) One strand Backstitch

Arms, hands, legs, socks

and shoe soles Carrot Seed (310) One strand Backstitch

Hair Carrot Seed (310) Backstitch

Dress, petticoat and

top of shoes Carrot Seed (310)

Backstitch and

running stitch

Bell Gold Backstitch and running stitch

Door outlines, doorframe,

handle and step outlines Carrot Seed (310) Backstitch

Step surface lines Carrot Seed (310) One strand Backstitch

Door inset panels Carrot Seed (310) One strand Backstitch

Singing Girl and Boy

Little Girl Knocking