Leafy shade

Try out feather stitch with this sweet bookmark

Similar to satin stitch, it's the ’ spine‘ on fishbone stitch that sets it apart – you offset your stitches to the left and right of the centre line to create a delightfully textured finish. This stitch is ideal for creating leaves, as shown here, as well as petals and feathers.

HOW TO MAKE THE BOOKMARK

Step one Transfer the template onto the fabric. Step two Use three strands of stranded cotton for all the stitching as this will fill the design area well. To work fishbone stitch, make a short vertical straight stitch. Bring the needle up on the right side of the shape and go back down just to the left of the centre line. 1

Step three Bring the needle up on the left side of the shape and then go back down just to the right of the centre line. 2

Step four Repeat this process to fill in the shape. You can make the stitches close together for a solid look, or spread them apart a little for a more open design.

Step five Embroider each leaf in fishbone stitch using two shades of green. The leaves on the right are worked in dark green and the leaves on the left in light green.

Step six To stitch the top leaf with both shades, work with both colours at the same time using two needles, alternating between the two sides. Step seven Stitch the centre line in chain stitch using grey stranded cotton.

Step eight Trim the embroidered linen to 18x6.5cm, making sure that the design is placed centrally. 3

Step nine Pin the front and back of the bookmark with right sides ( RS) together.

Step ten Fold the ribbon in half and pin it at the centre of the top of the fabrics between the layers, with the raw ends matching up with the fabric edge. 4

Step eleven Sew the fabrics together using a 5mm seam allowance, trapping the ribbon loop in place as you go, and leaving an opening in the centre of one long side for turning.

Step twelve Trim the corners to reduce bulk. 5 Step thirteen Turn the bookmark RS out then fold the edges of the turning gap to the inside. Step fourteen Stitch around the edge of the bookmark with running stitch using three strands of grey stranded cotton.

Step fifteen Keep your stitches close to the edge to decorate and hold the turning gap closed. 6