Embroidering

28 September 2011

I have recently decided that it would be brilliant to embroider something for our wedding reception, mainly after seeing the above two images. Do I know yet what I want to embroider? No. Do I think anyone would actually notice at the wedding itself? Not really. But, I don’t really care. Plus, I think it would make a beautiful keepsake framed after the event.

So! I don’t know how to embroider. Do any of you know how? Have any tips for me, or can you point me in the direction or a great book or tutorial?

I’m thinking this will make a cozy winter project…

First image by Em the Gem, second via joettamaue

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Alisha
September 28, 2011 3:39 pm

Hey Emily! I hand embroider dish towels pretty often. It's a good summer activity since knitting is too hot! You can find supplies and iron-on patterns at JoAnn, but not Michael's. Aunt Martha's is an old brand for patterns where you can get alphabet scripts for doing lettering, plus lots of patterns for flowers, etc. You can't find all of the patterns in stores, so check out http://www.acmenotions.com for all of them. There are some good, some awful. :)

As for tutorials…embroidery is pretty easy! Much easier than knitting, I think. It does take a long time to do a very little bit though, so you might want to do something small. Maybe a handkerchief? Or bride/groom chair flags? If you can't find a tutorial on youtube or something let me know. We can always do a skype date and I'll show you how myself. OR, come visit your sister this fall and I'll show you then.
Alisha

em
September 28, 2011 4:12 pm

My bride painted that banner, which I think is a great idea, especially since I wouldn't have any idea how to embroider something like that.

Catherine
September 28, 2011 5:17 pm

I'm pretty new to sewing and embroidery so far, but I do know that there are lots of different types and ways to do embroidery! Some sewing machines have patterns built in. You can use some various "popular" stitches on sewing machines to make your own patterns. You can also do hand embroidery in many different ways. I'd do some general internet searching about the different types of embroidery and the "look" they give, and decide which ones you like the most. Then you can start looking at detailed resources!

Emily
September 28, 2011 11:01 pm

Thank you, thank you, ladies! Alisha, that pattern source sounds great! I think I remember Martha doing a tutorial in Living a while back, so I'm going to try to dig that out, too. Will let you know how it goes!!

Marget
September 29, 2011 12:47 am

Miss Emily ~ my mom knows how to embroider, and I do too. That is, I've embroidered things before! I've always hand-drawn patterns, which is just as easy. Perhaps this is a Christmas project at the Thomas house!

Emily
September 29, 2011 1:26 am

YES! Between this and the crazy wooden Catan board, Christmas is going to be awesome!

Beth
September 29, 2011 1:59 am

I know a little embroidery also – but it's been a long time… maybe embroidery all around at Christmas!!

Isle of View
September 29, 2011 9:18 pm

It's been sooo long since I did any embroidery…my mom is great at it! Family-owned fabric stores often offer classes that are fun and good atmospheres to learn in! It's not too hard…and it's so relaxing:)