Hi There! Thanks for your super response to the Everything Patterns idea! So many of you have commented on my introduction video and taken the survey!
Today, I’m going to talk a little bit about hand embroidery. There are 3 videos below! The first is brand new, and the second and third are videos that I shot a little while back (my hair is so long, and I look so young, lol).
This first video will be how to transfer your embroidery designs, and also how to use interfacing on the back of your embroidery:
(***POST NOTE- A couple of people have commented that they’ve heard that applying heat to a wash-out marker will make it permanent. I have re-tested and found this not to be true (using a Mark-B-Gone marker.) Keep in mind that I am applying heat very briefly to the back of the fabric, through the layer of interfacing. If you apply heat for a longer period of time directly to the ink, it may become permanent. I recommend testing your marker before use. You can also iron on the interfacing first, and then trace, but it will be more difficult to see the pattern through the interfacing.)
I use Thermoweb lightweight interfacing, which can be found here (this is an affiliate link, which means if you make a purchase, I make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)
This video is about the basic supplies you will need to get started with hand embroidery:
And finally, watch this video to learn how to do 3 basic embroidery stitches (backstitch, French knot, and Satin Stitch):
Next time, I will show you some tips for using colored pencils with your Everything Patterns! Remember, the Everything Patterns e-book will have over 50 patterns which can be used for embroidery, coloring, painting, and other crafty applications! The e-book will be released around the first week in October- be sure that you are on my newsletter list to get all the announcements!
Have you tried self-adhesive printable transfer material that washes away when you are finished stitching? I have had some wash away transfer pens that do not wash away if an iron has been applied. Have you had this happen? Which wash away pen do you use? (I am new to hand embroidery and very much enjoy and appreciate your instructions.)
I’ve been embroidering since a child (79 years ago) and am still learning new things and techniques. I thought the idea of the printable transfer paper was great. However, I don’t use it any more. Find that it’s sometimes sticky with my needles and slows me down. It’s a super idea and I’ve tried different brands. Hope to try another someday. Love your tips and all your designs. I quilt and embroider. Thanks for sharing your talents with the rest of us.
Hi Rosemary- I haven’t tried the printable transfer sheets- I guess I’m weird because I like tracing the patterns by hand!
Love the hand embroidery tips, instructions and inspiration. Also info on pen
Hi Sam, I have not used the washable transfer material. I have not noticed the iron heat setting the wash away marker, the brand I usually use is Mark B Gone. Yes you could fuse on the interfacing first. It does make if more difficult to see the pattern that you are tracing, but it is doable. You could also try printing out the pattern darker so that it would be easier to see through the interfacing.
Thank you for sharing your “studio” tours. Your space looks like mine when it is “clean” I try very hard to keep items in a home and baskets as you show. Thanks too for the embroidery info. I have been palnning to “sketch” out a design to travel with, and will try your interfacing method. I really enjoy your blog and all of your wonderful art work and painting. Cannot wait to start your “Everything Patterns”
Great videos provided a good review for me of embroidery process. I like your hair darker.
I’m curious about ironing the interfacing on after the drawing. I thought I had read somewhere that the blue pen gets heat set if you iron over it. Is it possible to apply the interfacing first and then draw, or does that make it too difficult to see through?
Thanks for the video. I’ll be watching the other two next.
I love to embroider by hand and have a suggestion to make. Instead of using a fusible interfacing, I use a white (or off-white depending on the kind of fabric I am using) piece of flannel and machine stitch it around the outside to hold it in place. Always copy your pattern ahead of this step. This way, I don’t have to use a hoop and you can’t even tell when I have finished embroidering my project. It just makes for a simple way to carry a project with you and is much easier to handle. I am already signed up for The Art of Home and enjoy it very much. Thank you so much!!
Keep your original color hair. Thanks for the instructions.
I learned something I did not know about separating the threads. I usually split off however many strands I need. I didn’t know you should do them one at a time. Thanks for the helpful tips!
Nice Video. I like to do hand sewing and find it relaxing also. I’m going to have my 10 year old daughter watch your video. We both can learn from you. BTW, I like your hair just the way it is I think it is very attractive.
I put batting on the back of my red work embroidery as most of the time it becomes a quilt. I have used the solvy wash away interfacing for many years for transferring my designs for embroidery as well has quilting.?
Great videos. Been doing embroidery since I was 5 years old (61 years). Never heard of using interfacing but it makes sense. Can’t wait to try it on my next project.
Thank you for sharing your method of transferring designs from paper to fabric. I am a bit ashamed to admit that I have not considered using different marking pens on the same pattern but for different parts of the design.
Hi Beth- I usually just use one type or the other in a single project! I was just trying to show the different options.
I like the idea of using different pens for the different stitch types. Also, I have been doing embroidery for 55 years and never separated the threads one at a time. I learned to unwind the threads every so often by turning the hoop upside down and letting go of the needle so the thread spins to unwind itself.
Your hair looks fine either way. Do what feels good to you! Mine went from dirty dishwater blonde to platinum and I love it. It makes me look older, but what the heck! I AM older!
Thank you for the GREAT instructions! I have played with embroidery in the past, without having any idea what I was doing. This will help me create a nicer outcome. I also quilt and I am planning a crazy quilt for my sister. Yes, I am crazy. It will have some hand embroidered motifs along with the designs, lace, and etc. along the seams.
As far as your hair goes, I think it is beautiful either way. What makes you feel best is the most important color/style. Be happy and enjoy everything. Remember, if we did not have bad days we would never know how wonderful the good days are.
I did a lot of embroidery when I was a child (late 60’s/early 70’s) but haven’t picked it up since then. Thank you so much for getting me interested in embroidery again! I had never copied a pattern onto fabric before, but my first projects have gone well. I do put interfacing on the back of the fabric and love that the thread doesn’t show at all. Thanks for all the good tips and the inspiration that you give!
I’ve just revisited embroidery after a long absence. It is most relaxing and I love that I can take it with me. Thanks for the video’s and tips. Wear your hair how “you” want it, yours is the only opinion that matters. Be true to yourself.
I have loved the videos taking me back to basics, I am new to embroidery and I have learnt lots of new things including how to do the basic stitches. I have been inspired, wounding what I can make , so exciting
Thanks Julie ( UK)
Which interfacing do you use for embroidery? Brand and type, please, for ordering purposes.