STITCHES USED

MATERIALS

Cotton top: striped x3

Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of brown, dark green, light green, dark pink, light pink and yellow Metallic stranded thread:

1 skein of gold

Embroidery hoop: 13cm diameter Water-soluble stabiliser

Basic embroidery kit

Chain Stitch, French Knot, Leaf Stitch, Satin Stitch, Stem Stitch, Straight Stitch, Whipped Backstitch

NOTES

Find the templates on p73. Use three strands of thread throughout each design.

When stitching on something that will require washing, such as a garment, make sure you use colourfast threads.

01 Transfer onto your the tops designs using from your preferred the templates method. We used water-soluble stabiliser so that the designs were clear on both the dark and light areas of the tops, and to add some additional support to the fabric. Make sure you use a fabric-friendly pen if using this method. Mount your chosen area into your hoop, with the design central and the fabric taut like a drum – being careful not to overstretch the fabric, as this can cause puckering. To work the teacup design, begin by using your light green to work the leaves in Leaf Stitch. Work the large flower bases in Satin Stitch using dark green. Then, use Stem Stitch to work the leafy stems in dark green and the pink flower stems in light green.

02 Next, add yellow Straight Stitches and light pink French Knots to the respective coloured flowers. Then finish the design by working the outline of the teacup in Whipped Backstitch using dark pink.

03 For the rainbow design, work the stripes of colour as curved rows of Chain Stitch in dark pink, light pink, yellow and light green – starting with the outer stripe and working inwards in this order. Each section of the rainbow will fit four rows of parallel stitching.

04 Now, add the stars using Straight Stitch in metallic gold. When working with metallic thread, remember to keep the thread length short to prevent tangling and fraying.

05 For the sunflower, work the leaves using Leaf Stitch in light green. Then, use dark green to work the main stem in diagonal Satin Stitch and the smaller stems in Stem Stitch.

05 Finish the flower by working the petals using Satin Stitch in yellow, and then fill the centre with French Knots in brown.

Make sure all the ends on the reverse of your stitching are firmly secured and then carefully wash away your stabiliser and leave to dry.