Bear banner

MATERIALS

Your gift – Cosy Christmas embroidery transfers Cotton fabric: 30x30cm, yellow; 13x20cm, white backing)

Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of blue, light turquoise, dark red, brown, green, pink and white

Embroidery hoop: 15cm diameter

Dowel rod: 6mm diameter, 15cm long

Sewing machine with standard foot

Machine thread: white

Basic embroidery kit

STITCHES USED

Backstitch, Brick Stitch, Stem stitch, Lazy Daisy Stitch, French Knot, Satin Stitch, Straight Stitch

01

Starting with the neck of the bear, begin by working the collar in Brick Stitch using four strands of dark red. Then, add the zigzag line above it using Backstitch in four strands of blue. Next, add the dashed lines in Straight Stitch using four strands of light turquoise. Finally, add the dots below the dark red collar using French Knots in pink.

02

Moving onto the heart motif, work the stems of the central sprigs using Backstitch in two strands of blue, and then add the leaves using Lazy Daisy Stitch in the same thread. Add the heart outline around the sprigs using Stem Stitch in two strands of light turquoise. Now, add the berry at the base of the sprigs using Satin Stitch in two strands of pink, working the stitches horizontally. Finally, add the lines radiating out from the heart around the outside using Straight Stitch in four strands of white.

03

Next, add the text below the bear using Backstitch in three strands of white. Then, add the nose of the bear using Satin Stitch in two strands of dark red.

04

To finish embroidering the bear, use two strands of brown to add the fur and eyes in Straight Stitch and then the outline, muzzle and mouth in Backstitch.

05

Now, to make your stitching up into a banner, cut out the design to measure 13x20cm – to make the point of the banner, mark the bottom-middle and then draw a diagonal line from this point to the edge so that it’s in line with the top of the text. Repeat on the other side and then cut along these lines. Then, use your front piece as a template to cut out a matching piece from your backing fabric. With the right sides facing each other, sew both pieces together with a 1cm seam allowance, leaving a small gap at the top (for turning through). Now, snip into the corners and bottom point to help them sit flat when the banner is finished.

06

To finish off your banner, turn it right-way out through the gap you left at the top, making sure the corners and points are poked out, and then sew the gap closed. Fold over the top edge by 2.5cm towards the back and stitch it in place to create a tunnel for the dowel rod. Then, insert the dowel rod and attach a length of ribbon or string ready for hanging.