Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
The big easy Embrace your itch to stitch with quick and easy embroidery projects
Have you got the itch to stitch? embroidery take saturn for the quick and easy with over size stitch es and big results
The art of decorating fabric with a needle and thread – or yarn – embroidery isn’t just for intricate designs done on a hoop. You can quickly stitch your way to pretty projects for you and your home. With just stranded embroidery cotton in your fave colours you can use simple running stitch to transform plain fabrics. Add in easy applique and quilting techniques and you can make cute-as-a-button bespoke beauties.
CREATION STATION
Spruce up your work space – whether it’s a whole room or a cra y corner – with touches of embroidery. Stitch a word through the holes of a pegboard, add a big-stitch border to the fabric covering of a pinboard and embellish a tote bag with fabric shapes and outline stitches. Instructions from page 172
GET CRAFTY WITH EASY EMBROIDERY TO PRETTY UP A PEGBOARD AND TURN YOUR WORK STATION INTO A DECORATIVE FEATURE
1 YOU HAVE IT PEGGED A pegboard doesn’t have to be utilitarian. Use it to show off your colourful cra supplies on handy S hooks, and stitch an inspiring word such as ‘Create’, using yarn and buons. Cute! Instructions on page 172
2 NOTICE ME BOARD Turn a corkboard into a feature with an embroidered fabric cover. The wave paern border is done in simple running stitch, and embellished with a buon in each corner. Simple and prey. Instructions on page 172
3 TOTE-ALLY AWESOME Use a ready-made plain tote bag – or sew your own – as a blank canvas for a border of colourful fabric scallops and embroidered details. Fusible web makes appliqueing the shapes a breeze. Instructions on page 173
CRAFTY TIP
If you’re a fabric yo-yo first-timer, check out an online tutorial or buy a yo-yo maker from cra or quilting suppliers.
4 LITTLE BIRDIE There’s no need to go out on a limb when making this nature-inspired applique T-shirt! Use fusible web to adhere the fabric branch and bird shapes to a co on top, then outline everything with big running stitches. Instructions on page 175
5 WHAT A CUSHY JOB! A storebought cushion goes from simple to sweet with the addition of running-stitch borders and a perky fabric yo-yo topped with a covered bu on. If you go for a cushion in a neutral tone you can choose stranded co on and fabric colours that complement your interiors. Instructions on page 175
6 TAKE NOTE Keep a basic notebook under wraps with a slipcover decorated with fabric squares and contrasting stitches. Fuse the squares to the cover before adding blanket-stitch edgings and running-stitch outlines. It’s a great way to personalise your journal and makes a lovely gi , too. Instructions on page 176
7 ON THE BORDER Update the look of cross-stitch with big, airy stitches on a white tea towel. Rather than follow a chart, you can trace the Xs directly onto the fabric and use six strands of thread for the embroidery. Instructions on page 178
8 WRAP IT UP Scarves have graduated from wintertime accessories to anytime must-haves. With stripes on one side and a solid colour on the other, the stripes act as a guide to add large running-stitch accents along the length of the scarf. Instructions on page 178