GETTING STARTED: HAND EMBROIDERY THE OWL

From left to right: The design to be copied, the expected look &
 the transferred image onto cotton fabric.

Despite the number of completed hand embroidery projects I am still learning. The one thing I have learned is that there is always something to learn. Things were different when I was machine embroidering. The mobility of hand embroidery, sewing anywhere, I need to master four specific practices.  Organization, Preparation, Set-up,  Restoration. 

NOTE: This is what I do, you will develop their own routine based on your time, amount of space you have, financial investment and the project. I do believe the following steps are part of any crafting project.

 ORGANIZATION: Before I know what I am going to make it is important that I have the basic supply of items. The set-up can include: scissors, a needle threader, pins, needles, a measuring tape and or ruler , pen or pencil, paper, and a thimble.  These items should be placed in a convenient ready to reach for spot. 

I have a list of all of my patterns: sewing patterns, machine embroidery patterns and hand embroidery patterns. 

• My sewing patterns are listed, individually of course, on index cards and categorized: tops bottoms, bags, hats etc. 
• The machine embroidery patterns are listed, alphabetically, in a small 3 ring binder (5 1/2” x 8 1/2”). I can put notes on each page 
• For the hand embroidery I actually download each pattern. Each pattern is placed in a Pocket plastic divider. When I purchase a kit, I save the picture, they are placed in a 3 ring binder. 

 I have 3 mobile sewing kits: quilting, embroidery and sewing, they are stocked accordingly.

PREPARATION: Once I know what I am going to make I start preparing.

 When you purchase a kit everything you need is usually part of the package, including the hoop, not so when you starting from scratch.

1.    I start with my design, I am working on an owl that will go on a carry-all bag, so I will use the owl to describe my preparation process.
   -The design- I cannot draw so I need to find an image of an owl that I can actually embroider. I      have found quite a few embroidery patterns priced reasonably on Etsy.
   -The structure in which the design will be placed on. Yes, I know it is fabric but, you could transfer your design on wood, plastic or even glass.
2. There are a few different methods of transfer the design onto the structure, I primarily use carbon paper.
3. Colors, the hardest part for me is determining the colors I will use. Make sure you have enough of each color.
4. Right size hoop.
5.  Most kits give you more than enough floss, I tend to buy more than enough because I don’t want to run out  
6.   I have an Embroidery Hoop Stand, this is optional and I don’t use it all the time.

SET-UP Now I am ready to transfer my design and position my project on the hoop. I have gathered the colors I will need, and have my needle, and scissors nearby. I am ready to sew.

RESTORATION: After I finish embroidering for the day I should put everything back to wear it was ready for my next session. Unfortunately, I don’t always do this and that is how things get lost. I do, however, put everything up once I have finished a project and use that time to restock. 

   

This was from a kit which I added to a handmade pillow.

Yes, I made my own pillow form!