Wild at heart

Two ways to use lazy daisy stitch

YOU WILL NEED

■ Fabric of your choice

■ Stranded cotton in grey, green,

white, red and dark pink

■ Embroidery needle

■ Air or water soluble pen

■ Basic sewing kit

NOTES

■ Turn to p142 for the template

Give wild flowers that will last with pretty blooms sewn in lazy daisy stitch. Bookworms will love this little embroidered bookmark, while the larger version of the template design fits into a hoop that will look lovely on the wall.

HOW TO MAKE THE BOOKMARK

Step one Transfer the template onto the fabric. Step two Take two strands of cotton from your cut length. Thread your embroidery needle with one end and knot the other. Bring the needle up at 1 and down at 2, without pulling the needle all the way through the fabric. Bring the needle up again at 3, with the thread under the needle and pull gently to form a loop. 1

Step three Secure this loop by pushing the needle into the fabric at 4. This is one complete lazy daisy stitch. To make another stitch next to it, repeat this method, starting at 5 to work the next stitch. In this design we have grouped them together, starting at the same point each time but angling the stitches slightly to form the flower shape. 3

Step four Fill in the rest of the design using chain stitch for the vases, backstitch for the stems and French knots for the white and pink buds.

Step five Cut out your embroidered design to your desired shape and size and add a running stitch border. Back with a piece of fabric.

Design & stitching by Lisa Jones and Rebecca Reid