Unbelievably, I Did Some Hand Embroidery and I Liked It.

Wow, I have so much to tell you! I started with this hand embroidery project and used / learned such a variety of new skills, resources and materials! …and for the most part it worked out really well! I see much more of this in my future.

So, I have often thought that I needed a low tech hobby to take on the go or relaxing outside or even just catching up on some great TV. I occasionally do some absolutely necessary, unavoidable hand stitching at those times or indulge in a digital game of cards. I like to do something while watching TV. So what is this new craft I’m exploring you ask? Hand embroidery. Dumb idea? Possibly.

I guess also, in a kind of wistful type of way, I have looked at embroidery machines and thought that I would love to be able to embroider things on things. I love the detailed, textured look of embroidery and they are usually quite beautiful. But, I suspect these machines would be such a pain to operate, very expensive and just not quite worth it for me. Also, I feel the satisfaction would be less than hand embroidery.

An Instagram post from RiverBirch Threads inspired me. It was this strikingly beautiful embroidered pattern that spanned the pocket area on a regular pair of jeans. I was fascinated and discovered it was from a Canadian designer too. I purchased the “Pocket Full of Posies” pattern as well as the Summer Blooms and started studying up on what I needed to know to embroider something. Right, research done and supplies bought, it is time to attack the Summer Blooms pattern.

The Instructions

It turned out that there were a mere 4 stitches to learn for this particular pattern. Incredible. I might actually be able to do this! Starting off with a scrap piece of fabric to practice the stitches, I soon got bored and had to move on. I wanted to make something – so I ditched the practice piece and started the full pattern.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from an embroidery pattern, but whoa it is perfect! From stitch description and instructions, supplies list to DMC colours needed, with methods and tips – it is all there. Really really great and clear instructions for a newbie like me. But if that wasn’t enough, there is also a YouTube video for the entire design.

Transferring the Design

Well, I really didn’t think I would make anything with it, so since it was my first try, I kinda cheated and drew the design directly on the fabric with a washable pen. To do this, I printed the design on regular printer paper and set the fabric over the design. I put this on my $20 Amazon light box and could just about make out most of the details to draw in the design. I used the expression, “Um, yep, that’s close enough” on more than one occasion. But, in spite of all that, on the off chance that my efforts might be usable, I cut a piece of fabric big enough to become the band on a possible bucket hat for my grand daughter (think small). Using a 4-inch hoop, I started following the great instructions and “hooped” the first section.

For the next approximately 3 weeks, each night when we sat down to watch something, I set up with my embroidery on my lap and the lamp pulled close. Some of those little french knots got away with me and some of the leaves were rather loose looking. But from a certain distance, it looked rather pretty and I was pleased with the results.

I thought about it for a while and wondered what to do. In the end, I decided it was good enough to become a bucket hat for grand daughter. The bucket hat pattern I used is the Sorrento Bucket Hat from Elbe textiles and is fully reversible. A great solution.