I’ve told you how appalling my hand stitching is! I decided I needed to fix that, so I signed up for a hand embroidery course on Craftsy. I just loved the course, Jessica was really easy to understand and very enthusiastic. The course is great but if you’d prefer something free, try these tutorials. I’ve used only one super simple stitch, backstitch, to create this project – perfect for beginners!
I started by printing this pattern from Urban Threads to fit my hoop. I traced it on to some white broadcloth (big enough to insert into the tote later) with a water erasable fabric marker. You can tape everything to a window to make things easier but I used an iPad! I then hooped my design and started stitching! I used the full six strands of floss and backstitch throughout.
I used metallic floss for the scissors but I wouldn’t recommend it! It was very difficult to work. A quick google suggested lubricating the floss with a thread lubricant like Thread Heaven. I don’t have any, so I tried a silicone face primer from my makeup collection! Unbelievably, that helped! In the pic below you can see my gorgeous purse from Juanita Tortilla, I just love it and keep all my floss in there. If you want your very own, you can buy her purses and bags here.
Once I was done with the embroidery portion, it was into the tote. I used this cute scissor print fabric and some grey canvas, left over from this handbag project I made ages ago. I cut two identical grey pieces & two identical scissor pieces. I decided how far down the grey section I wanted the embroidery piece to be and stitched it down. I pressed it up and basted the top of the embroidery piece to the top of the grey section. The rest is very much like this tutorial except I left a turning gap in the base of the lining, rather than at the top edge.
I think this is such a super cute tote! It lives in my lounge on the back of the door so I can appreciate it’s cuteness when I’m not using it (notice the claw marks of an interested cat, that’s why I can’t have nice things!). Of course it’s also nice for carrying my embroidery work with me on the go! It’s also a great beginner embroidery project that isn’t just a finished work in a hoop. You can make your design as simple or complex as you like. I like that you are just embroidering cloth which becomes part of the tote. None of the pressure of working on an already made project or garment. If you give this a try, I’d love to see pics of your project, please post them to my Facebook wall xxxx
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9 Comments
Aw?! Thank you for the shout out.
Handstitching is not meant to be perfect! Good attempt.
Thanks honey and you are welcome!
Which interested cat was this? 🙂
As always the one causing trouble is Jarms…..
What a work of art, the bag looks fantastic! Your stitching is lovely and I love the use of colours. I too love Urban Thread designs and have a few projects that I have in mind myself. The scissor fabric is cute and the overall look is great, love it………!
Thanks Toni! It’s my second embroidery project ever. I love the scissor fabric but only had half a yard, perfect use for it.
[…] terrible. I thought it might help my hand sewing but also be a cool skill in it’s own right. I have a post about how I made this plus lots of tutorial links. Mr Asks Pants I finally got around to taking up Mr Asks pants! They only needed to come up the […]
Well, it’s one of the best I am really impressed when I reached your blog this one of the informative blog. embroidery
Thank you for sharing the tutorial links also. You are a very talented artist. Keep on rocking.
Serena from Absolute Digitizing