Blooming lovely
Grow blossoms from colonial knots
YOU WILL NEED
■ Wooden hoop
■ Fabric of your choice
■ Stranded cotton in black,
light pink and dark pink ■ Embroidery needle
■ Air or water soluble pen ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES
■ Turn to p143 for the template
These delicate flowers are made using colonial knots in three shades of pink. Similar in appearance to French knots, colonial knots add dainty detail to your designs and, once mastered, are quick and easy to work.
HOW TO MAKE THE BIRDCAGE HOOP
Step one Transfer the template onto the fabric. Step two Sew the words and branches in chain stitch and the birdcage in backstitch.
Step three Secure your thread on the back of your work through some of the already worked stitches, close to where you want your first knot to be. Now bring the needle up at 1 and loop the thread over it. 1
Step four Next, take the thread over and under the needle in a figure of eight. Follow the thread path on the diagram to see exactly how this is done. With time and practice you will get very quick at doing this. 2
Step five Push the needle back down at 2, close to where it first emerged. Before you pull it all the way through, tighten the loops around the needle and hold them in place. Pull the needle through to form a neat knot. 3
Step six Complete all the colonial knots to create blossom along the branches.