HOW TO MAKE… A LEMON EMBROIDERY HOOP
MATERIALS
30 x 30cm (117/ x 117/ 8") 8 grey linen fabric Embroidery thread (we used DMC stranded cotton in 3852 (mustard yellow), 3051 (dark green), 743 (yellow), 3346 (green), 898 (brown) and 580 (bright green) Sewing thread (we used DMC sewing machine thread size 50 in 801 (brown) and B5200 (white) Embroidery needle 18cm (71/ 8") embroidery hoop Craft glue Whether you’ve escaped to the Med this summer or not, recreate your own little corner of lemon grove sunshine with the power of stitch. The botanical embroidery really sings out against the dark grey linen background and definitely has more than a hint of the Amalfi coast about it.
And, it’s also triggered our latest obsession – the idea of a stitched holiday scrapbook wall, filled with embroidery hoops or sampler designs based on all the best bits of latest getaways.
Instructions
Use all six strands of embroidery thread throughout, and turn to page 98 to find instructions for each of the stitches used.
Using the template on page 98, trace the pattern onto the linen fabric, then secure the fabric in the embroidery hoop.
Using mustard yellow thread and straight stitch, embroider and fill the plant pots, paying close attention so you don’t stitch over any of the leaf outlines.
With a combination of straight stitch and satin stitch, and using the images as a guide, use the bright green thread to stitch the leaves of the lemon tree. Change the angle of the stitches slightly for each leaf – this adds more texture.
Stitch the leaves of the top two planters and the bottom hanging vine foliage with dark green thread and straight stitch.
Use French knots and green thread to fill the string of pearl plant leaves in the last remaining planter. You can change the size of the pearls by wrapping the thread around the needle more or fewer times as you work the French knots.
Fill in the lemon shapes using yellow thread and satin stitch, carefully angling the direction of the satin stitches on each lemon away from the lemon immediately next to it. The different directions will add more texture to the piece.
Use satin stitch and brown thread to carefully fill in the empty shelf voids, as shown, stitching around the leaf shapes and keeping within the lines.
Next, using brown thread and small horizontal satin stitches, carefully fill in the narrow trunk of the lemon tree.
For the smaller, finer branches and stems of the lemon tree and other plants, use brown sewing thread and simple straight stitch throughout the design.
Finish the tops of the plant pots with a simple straight line using the white sewing thread to give an extra pop of colour.
Adjust the fabric in the hoop until you’re happy with the position of the design. Trim off the excess fabric and then glue the overhanging fabric carefully on the reverse of the hoop, taking care to not get any glue on the main body of the fabric.
Trim away any excess threads on the back of the hoop to finish.
