Get Your Stitch On

I have a special and exciting announcement today. I've decided to host a virtual embroidery class right here on the Early Bird Special blog!

Basically what this will consist of is a series of posts covering five basic embroidery stitches to get you comfortable and started on your own embroidery projects.

I hosted a class in person a few months ago, and it was a lot of fun. But I want to share the knowledge with all of my out of town friends too.

Here's what you'll learn:

I will try to keep instructions as clear as possible as well as post a video of each of the stitches, to make it feel like I'm right there with you.

Don't worry, this is a free series, so all you need to do is show up to class with your supplies in hand!


Fabric: I recommend using a white cotton fabric for embroidery, but feel free to use what you like. Just make sure it's a quilting quality cotton.

Hoop: I like to use a hoop that is between 5" to 7" in diameter, simply because this is most comfortable for my hands.

Needle: I often get asked what size needle I use for embroidery. I think I use an embroidery size 5 or 6 most often. The main thing is to make sure that the package says it's especially for embroidery, because this means the eye of the needle will be large enough to accommodate all 6 strands of embroidery floss.

Floss: DMC floss or Presencia is what I like to use. Try not to buy the off brand cheap rainbow packages of floss. These really do tend to tangle and shred quite easily, only frustrating things. Go ahead and splurge on the good stuff.

Scissors: Embroidery scissors are preferred, but not required. There will be times when you might need to cut some stitches out, due to a mishap or if you want to change the stitch color or stitch style and tiny, sharp embroidery scissors are perfect for the job.

I'm going to show you the stitches on various projects, because I want you to have the freedom to choose what pattern you like.

Here are some resources for my favorite patterns for purchase:

Sublime Stitching
Kitschy Digitals
Follow the White Bunny
Penguin & Fish
Badbird
Wee Wonderfuls
September House
Wild Olive

And here's a list of my favorite free patterns:

Sublime Stitching
Follow the White Bunny
Badbird
doe-c-doe
Hoop Love Vintage Patterns
Vintage Transfer Finds

Take a look around, I'm sure you'll find more than enough patterns to keep you busy for a while.

You know what they say about assuming, right? I hate to assume that you already know the ins and outs of transfer techniques, so please tell me, do I need to cover this topic before getting started on the stitch lessons?

Who's ready to learn how to embroider or freshen up your skills?

Hugs & Stitches,
Amy

**Update: I decided to add "Transfer Techniques" to the lesson list. Once this topic is covered, we'll get to stitching! ;-)

Chain Chain Chain

Tonight while working on the bunny snuggly, I decided my favorite stitch right now is the good ol' chain stitch. I came to this realization while stitching the bunny's hair.

When stitching hair, I usually like to use either a stem stitch or a chain stitch.

Stem stitch hair:

Above photo: Tea towel made for The Urban Housewife.

Chain stitch hair:

Above photo: Floral fantasy tote bag.

You can see, both stitches create a great effect for hair, yet they each give such different textures.

The first stitch I learned was the split stitch, and I thought that was the stitch I had to use for every project, if I wanted to classify it as embroidery. Silly girl. That's SO 2002.

Now, the split stitch is one of my least favorite stitches. Sure, it still has charm and beauty, but it's very moody. If you don't get the split just right, or go too far to the left or too far to the right when following your line, it tends to look wonky. Oh split stitch, sometimes you're so unforgiving, but I forgive you, and we can still hang out sometimes.

I tweeted my love of the chain stitch, and my pal Dani asked, "What gives, Aims? They're practically twins." (Ok, so I'm paraphrasing her tweet.)

Yes, it is true. The split stitch and the chain stitch do look very similar. But I like to think of Chain as Split's chubby sister. They look a lot alike, but they are both so different. In my opinion, Chain is more forgiving with her curves, filling in more space and giving a little chunky appeal to your design.

Don't be fooled by their similarities though. The chain stitch and split stitch are acheived in two very different ways. You have to do a slightly fancier move with your needle to acheive the chain stitch, but it's not anything you can't handle. Sublime Stitching has a nice little diagram showing you how to create Chain & Split.

Hopefully this gets you in the mood to try some chain stitching for an upcoming project. Please let me know if you have any questions or need advice on making the right moves.

Hugs & Stitches,
Amy

Makings of a Snuggly

I'm pretty much an expert at waiting until the last minute to start making something for a gift.

Here's what I'm working on today for Darcy's Easter basket:



I'm using the free embroidery pattern Helen Dardik shared with her readers last year.



I thought it would make for a cute snuggly.

Are you making something special or did you find a sweet handmade lovely for your little one's Easter basket?

xoxo
Amy

Fruity Cutie!

I'm so glad you all liked the cupcake topper tutorial. I felt silly posting it, since it's so easy, but that seemed to be a good thing! Yay!

I hope you're all smiling because it's Friday. But just in case you need a little mid-morning pick me up, Harper says, "Oh, hai!"



It's fun having a model for onesies now. I used Danielle's Kawaii Cute Fruits pattern set for this project. I actually enlarged the pattern just a bit, used a Sulky iron-on transfer pen, (Which you can now get here, through Sublime Stitching!) and transferred the image directly on to a piece of red felt.



I know I've shown several projects with embroidered felt patches before, and I'm just curious, would anyone be interested in an embroidered onesie or felt patch tutorial? Sometimes jersey material can be tricky to deal with, and I thought it might be nice to share some tips.

I have another project idea for Danielle's fruit patterns, but I need to work out a few of the kinks first.

While you're at it, be sure to check out Danielle's Eame's inspired coat rack tutorial!



What a great weekend project this would be. I love the colors she used!

Also, she's hosting a giveaway on her blog, so be sure to try your luck with that. Since I'm on the creative team now, I don't feel right about entering, but I would love for you to win!

Another great weekend project to consider? How about a crib mobile made from fabric dots?!




I'm kind of crazy in love with this project, made by Jaime of "Sew She Sews". Her blog and her Flickr stream are so inspiring, you should take a look.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and I'll see you next week!

Hugs & Stitches,
Amy

Cupcake Toppers

Today's project is so easy, it's ridonkulous. Let's be honest, I'm not sure it's even worth posting about. But it's so cute, I can't help myself.

Easter is pretty much all about the bunny and the celebration of Spring here at our house. So when I found a vintage copy of The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown at a yard sale last Summer, for only $1.00, I had a cute attack and knew I wanted to do something with the wonderful illustrations by Leonard Weisgard.

Cupcake toppers were the obvious answer.

Supplies:
Print out of images on cardstock.
White label stickers
Toothpicks



Cut out the images:



Attach a toothpick to the backside of each image, using a white label sticker:



Blam. You just made a cupcake topper:



Army of cuteness:



See what I mean? So easy. I originally started this project with the intention of sharing the cupcake topper file with you. But after considering the legalities and not knowing if I would be violating any copyright issues, I've decided not to share. Which really bums me out. So if anyone can shed some light on this issue, I would love to know about it.

Otherwise, I hope you're inspired and make some adorable cupcake toppers for your Spring or Easter celebration.

xoxo
Amy

Bird Helping Bird

Last month I went to a "craft social" at a local business and spent some time visiting with my pal Jemellia.

I adore this lady. She is funny, refreshing, and crazy talented. She told me she would be attending Funky Finds Spring Fling, which has already taken place, and asked if I would make a credit card sign for her. The obvious answer was yes, so we decided to do a little trade, because I wanted one of her adorable toddler skirts for Darcy. I was *this* close to being selfish and trading for a gorgeous apron.

After brainstorming via text messaging, we decided a cross stitched pillow would be perfect for craft shows.

I should mention that Jemellia and our other friend Robin often team up at craft shows, operating under 2 Birds in a Pod. When they do this, you are hit with 2 times the amount of pretty, so you'd better have your pocketbook ready.

Jemellia & I met for dinner, to do our little trade, and of course I wasn't finished. At the last minute, I decided to add a little bit more to the design, had to go to my tattoo appointment, and ended up finishing the last bit of stitching at the dinner table.

She took the finished piece home and transformed it in to a pillow.









She even created a pocket on the backside of the pillow to hold their business cards. Brilliant!



She loved her item, and I loved mine. Darcy gave her skirt a big hug when she saw it, and she said she felt like a princess.



(Digital frame is from the fabric covered button kit by Kitschy Digitals.)

After this trade, and over the weekend, I decided crafting for profit just isn't for me. I am much happier making things as gifts, for my home, or for trades. Don't get me wrong, I admire those who can find the drive to craft for profit, and maintain an online shop and do craft shows throughout the year. But right now, that's just not for me.

Perhaps when the girls are older and in school I might change my mind, but for now crafting for bliss is what I love.

xoxo
Amy

Easy Makeover

Happy Monday and happy spring! I am so happy it's officially spring, and from the look of our forecast this week, it will feel like it outside. Saturday was the first day of spring this year, but we actually had another snowstorm here in Oklahoma. We ended up with about 4 inches on Saturday, but thanks to the sunshine and warmer temperatures today, it's pretty much all melted.

In celebration of Spring, I have a few project ideas to share with you this week. Sunshine + coffee = creative fuel.

Today's project is so quick and easy but it adds such a pretty touch to a completed embroidered wall hanging.

You might remember, I shared this photo a couple of posts back, when I was "dreaming of spring."



(By the way, thank you Denise of Craft Gossip for sharing this with your readers. You're always so kind!)

I think the little blue bird is just lovely the way it is, but I got an idea over the weekend to incorporate one of the Woodgrain picture frames from Kitschy Digitals.

After a little resizing, and playing with the colors in photoshop, I printed my picture frame out on to cardstock, cut it out and glued it on top of the embroidery hoop.

What do you think?



I just love the charm it adds to the finished piece.

Here's another completed project:



If you're interested in trying this for your embroidery projects too, you can find the "Woodgrain Frames" digital kit here.

xoxo
Amy