embroidery kit steps
scroll below for stitch help
STEP ONE: apply fabric to hoop.
Loosen the screw on your embroidery hoop to separate the two rings. Center your fabric over the inner ring. Place the outer ring on top of the fabric (sandwiching the two layers). Tighten the screw to hold the fabric in place. Need extra help? Here's a great video showing this process in action.
STEP TWO: get to know your stitch map.
Each area is labeled with the type of stitch (see stitch guide), number of thread strands (in parentheses), and suggested color (when applicable). Lost your stitch map? No problem! Email us and we'll send you a replacement.
STEP THREE: prepare your threads
Cut your thread into 18-24” inch pieces. Separate the strands into the numbers suggested on the stitch map. DMC embroidery floss comes in 6 strands; separate it out by pulling one thread out at a time. We suggest knotting the end of your thread both before you stitch and after you end a thread. Need help? Here's a great video showing this process in action.
STEP FOUR: stitch your design
The order in which you complete your pattern is up to you, however, in general we recommend working satin stitched areas first (if there are any). Because the design is pre-printed you can stitch in as little or as much as you want. Stitch selections and colors listed are simply suggestions!
STEP FIVE: finish your design
Check for loose thread tails that may need to be trimmed or knotted. We are of the belief that the backside doesn't have to look pretty! There are two basic ways of finishing the back side of your hoop 1) pulling the fabric taught into hoop and trim excess fabric, adding glue if desired or 2) creating a gathered stitch and pulling it to enclose the back. Choose the finishing technique you like best!
basic embroidery stitches
running stitch
simply pull the needle and thread through the fabric and back in on a straight line. Leave as big a space as desired between stitches. Creates a dashed line.
back stitch
make a small stitch, then bring the needle back up through the fabric (A) and stitch back to meet the initial stitch at (B). Creates a solid line.
satin stitch
make a straight stitch from (A) to (B), a second stitch directly next to it, and then repeat. Use printed outlines as your guideline of where to start and stop your stitches. Variation: add space between stitches for a hatched line effect. Creates a solid area of color.
star stitch
make a small diagonal (A to B), then make a second stitch across this (C to D). Add the additional line across (E to F). For the circle method, make several small stitches in a circle to create your star. Creates a starburst stitch.
french knot
there are few stitches that strike fear into the hearts of beginning embroiders as much as the french knot! don't fear! here's our absolute favorite quick tutorial on conquering the french knot. you can also view a video example of this process here.
chain stitch
chain stitches, like many embroidery stitches, have several variations. we learned our absolute favorite way of chain stitching from the contemporary embroidery master - jenny hart - and cannot explain it any more clearly than she does. click here to view the "easiest chain stitch" method you'll ever see!
