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Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

December 5, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

The pattern for this reindeer cross stitch Christmas decoration can be downloaded by filling in the form at the bottom of the post.

Although I love making things, I have to confess that I don’t do an awful lot of Christmas crafting.

One reason for this is that it’s hard to find the time! In the past I’ve wanted to make lots of things and felt annoyed and frustrated because I didn’t have time what with everything else going on at this time of year.

Another reason is that it’s hard to think of different things to make every year.

And the third reason is that because I like my decorations to mean something, I keep everything! I’ve kept every last little thing my boys have made. There’s even a couple of things from the first time I had my own Christmas tree, twenty years ago! It all goes on the tree, and there is a limit to how much stuff we can hang off it!

I do like to make some things though. I usually make a Christmas cake and a wreath for the door, and I’ll probably make one or two other things as well when inspiration strikes!

Inspiration did strike the other day when the School of Mummy boys were doing some cross stitch. I had the idea to make a cross stitch Christmas decoration in a little embroidery hoop.

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

I made the design on squared paper first, then cross stitched it onto 8 count aida.

If you’d like to make a reindeer cross stitch Christmas decoration, the instructions are below and you can download the design by filling in the form at the bottom of the post.

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

You might also like to know that I have a limited number of kits for this in my Etsy shop. You can find out more here.

Instructions

You Will Need

8 count aida in red
White embroidery thread
An 8 cm (3 inch) embroidery hoop
Felt for backing
Ribbon

Embroidering the Reindeer

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

If you’ve done cross stitch before, you’ll know what to do!

If you haven’t or if it’s been a while, here’s a reminder.

Start by finding the centre of the aida. You might want to mark this with a stitch. The centre of the design is marked on the pattern.

Decide where you want to start. It’s usual with cross stitch to work from top to bottom and left to right, but I started at the bottom and in the middle of the row! The reindeer’s chin seemed to me to be the easiest place to start.

In the past I always sewn over the ends rather than tied a knot, but while I was watching Mr X Stitch videos with my boys, I discovered that he has an ingenious way of catching the ends when you start. There’s a video here.

Form the crosses by sewing from one corner to the one diagonally opposite, then from one of the 2 remaining corners to the one diagonally opposite.

To tie off the ends, thread them through the back of some of the stitches.

Putting it in the Hoop

Take the inside part of the hoop and draw round it onto a piece of felt. Cut it out.

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

Pop the reindeer over the inside part of the hoop. Check that it is centred, then put the outside bit over it. You’ll probably need to loosen it a bit first.

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

Trim away some of the extra. Don’t cut it right back to the hoop! Leave a couple of cm. You’ll probably just need to cut off the corners.

Sew around the extra and gather it.

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

You could leave it there if you wanted to, but I like to sew some felt to the back so that it’s neater.

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

Tying the Ribbon

Cut 2 lengths of ribbon about 15 cm long.

Take one of them, fold it in half and knot the ends together. Thread the knotted ends through the metal bit on the hoop, then pull it through the loop of ribbon.

Tie the other piece of ribbon in a bow around the bottom of the metal bit.

Your reindeer cross stitch Christmas decoration is ready to hang on the tree!

Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration
Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration
Reindeer Cross Stitch Christmas Decoration

If you liked this post, you might also like these:

This is another Christmas embroidery hoop with a reindeer. The reindeer and the trees are appliqued onto a bit of old net curtain.

embroidery hoop christmas decoration

Another Christmas embroidery hoop! These have the words love, joy and peace embroidered in a wreath.

christmas embroidery hoop

Here’s the form for the pattern! Please note that you will be added to the Tea and a Sewing Machine email list. More information about why I do this can be found here. You can unsubscribe at any time.

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Filed In: Blog, Embroidery / Tagged: decoration

How To Choose A Sewing Machine For Monogramming

September 10, 2020 · Leave a Comment

How to Choose a Sewing Machine For Monogramming

This is a guest post from Sewingland.org, a website that provides reviews of sewing machines and accessories.

Monogramming is the ideal way to make an item of clothing unique. In this way, you’ll be able to sew your initials into the fabric. By getting a monogram machine, you’ll be able to do this from the comfort of your own home.

But, with dozens of different machines on the market, it can be hard to know which one will suit you the best. To help you make this choice, let’s take a closer look at some of the things you might want to consider.

How Often Will You Be Using It? 

One of the most important things you’ll need to figure out is how often you’ll be using the machine.

If you want to use it frequently, you’ll generally be better off paying a little more for a more heavy-duty machine. They will be better equipped to handle the increased workload that comes with regular use.

This is especially important if you’re planning on getting a machine for commercial use, as it will be on all day.

On the other hand, if you’re just getting started, you might be happy with a more basic option.

How Many Functions Does The Machine Have? 

It’s common for machines to come programmed with a range of different settings. These can often make it easier for you to execute your designs. For example, you might be able to use some software to design your monogram on a computer, then execute it on the machine.

How many settings you’ll need and the type of features you want will depend on your style of monogramming.

Some people enjoy more functionality as they’ll have more options to explore. If you’re a beginner though, it might be better to get a basic machine. This will allow you to get a feel for the hobby and get used to using the machine. If you enjoy it, you can upgrade to a more feature-rich device later.

How to Choose a Sewing Machine For Monogramming

How Much Does The Machine Cost? 

There are dozens of different monogramming machines, with several different price points. This ensures that you’ll be able to find one that will suit your budget.

Typically, when you start monogramming, you might want to consider getting a cheaper machine. This will give you some time to make sure that you enjoy the hobby.

If you have a good time, you’ll be able to spend more on your next machine and you’ll have a better idea of what features you’d like it to have.

How Big Is The Machine? 

You might want to consider how large your monogram machine will be. The ideal size will depend on how you intend to use it. For example, commercial machines will need to be very heavy-duty. As a result, they tend to be bulky and have higher power consumption.

On the other hand, you might want to get a smaller machine, which you can easily lift and manoeuvre. This will allow you to take it on holiday with you. A smaller device might also suit someone who is taking up monogramming as a hobby, as you’ll be able to put it away when you’re not using it.

What’s The Hoop Size? 

You should also consider the hoop size of the machine. This is the amount of space that your design will be able to take up. You’ll be able to find this information in the product description.

As a general rule, the bigger the hoop size, the more expensive the monogram machine will be. Often, if you want to use it for commercial designs, you’ll need a larger hoop size than someone who is taking up monogramming as a hobby.

Conclusion

Monogramming can be a fun hobby, allowing you to make your clothes stand out.

As we’ve seen, there are a few criteria that you might want to think about to make sure that you choose the perfect machine for you.

With dozens of different options available, the choice can sometimes seem overwhelming.

If you want a few more tips, or to read some excellent reviews on popular options, check out this monogram machines analysis. You can use this information to find an excellent machine for you so that you can start exploring this hobby today.

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Filed In: Blog, Embroidery / Tagged: monogramming

Embroidered Pincushion Tutorial

June 27, 2020 · Leave a Comment

embroidered felt pincushion

It could be possible to become addicted to pincushions. Like having an collection of pretty teacups, pincushions can be as different as you want them to be and pretty as you like. There are so many different ways to make them and, because they are little things, you can use scraps that are too big to throw away but too small to use for a larger project.

This embroidered pincushion is part of a kit that I’ve been developing. I wanted to call it the Safe At Home kit, but as the extra time people kept telling me I was going to have never appeared, it’s taking me a while to finish it!

The other projects in the kit are this bunting, and this needle case.

UPDATE: The kits have finally been completed and you can find them here!

Anyway, the last project is now finished and here it is, an embroidered pincushion!

embroidered felt pincushion tutorial

It can be sewn entirely by hand, or you could speed things up a bit and use the sewing machine to sew the pincushion together.

The embroidery design is free to download, but I do ask for an email address. You can find out more about why I do this here. The form is at the bottom of the post.

embroidered felt pincushion tutorial

Making the Embroidered Pincushion

You Will Need

Scraps of felt in pretty colours
Embroidery thread
Polyester filling, sawdust or emery sand to fill your pincushion
2 buttons
Pattern pieces and the embroidery design. You can either download mine (the form’s at the bottom), or you could make your own.

Cutting Out

You will need 2 circles the same size, and one circle a little bit smaller.

Embroidering the Design

embroidered felt pincushion tutorial

I used lazy daisies, fern stitch, woven wheels and French knots. It’s worth remembering that odd numbers of things usually look better, but you can do what you like! Just remember to leave a space in the middle for the button.

Sewing the Pincushion Together

Attach the embroidered section to one of the larger circles. You could hand sew it or use your sewing machine.

embroidered felt pincushion tutorial

Place the other larger circle on top of the embroidery. Sew around the edge, leaving a gap.

Trim the seam if you need to. Turn the pincushion the right way out. Fill it with your chosen material. It will need to be firm to make it easiest for pushing the pins in.

embroidered felt pincushion tutorial

Take a plain button (this one will be at the bottom) and tie the end of length of thread to it. You might want to use a stronger thread for this, or you could use ordinary sewing thread doubled.

embroidered felt pincushion tutorial

Now push the needle through the centre of the pincushion from bottom to top.

Thread a pretty button onto the needle. Pass the thread through, then back into the pincushion and through the button at the bottom.

embroidered felt pincushion tutorial
embroidered felt pincushion tutorial

Do this a few times and pull it tight. Cut the thread and tie it off.

embroidered felt pincushion tutorial
embroidered felt pincushion tutorial

If you wanted to turn this into a wrist pincushion, you could attach it to a piece of elastic, or make a strap for it like this one.

If you like pincushions, I have a whole Pinterest board devoted to them here!

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Filed In: Blog, Embroidery, Sewing Projects / Tagged: beginner, craft fair, embroidery, felt, gift ideas, how to, pincushion

Embroidered Felt Bunting Tutorial

April 26, 2020 · 3 Comments

embroidered felt bunting tutorial

I’ve been selling craft kits on Etsy for a while now, and, as ideas go, it’s proved to be one of my better ones.

When I opened a shop on Etsy I had no idea what I was doing and I only hit on the craft kits idea about 5 years in. I wrote a post about it here (and if you want to know what one of my worst ideas was, it was this!).

With one thing and another, it’s been about a year since I added anything new.

Sales of my craft kits are healthy at the moment, probably because people want a nice little project to work on while they’re staying safe at home.

Feeling a little bit of creativity returning last week, I started cooking up a new kit.

I’m finding that I want to make things because making things makes me feel happier and calmer. With the situation being as it is however, I don’t feel up to anything to long or complicated. Also this ton of extra time I was supposed to have hasn’t turned up! So little things that can be picked up and worked on for a few minutes are probably better than longer, more involved things.

If this is true for me at the moment, it’s going to be true for other people too!

The kit will include some pieces of felt, ribbon and trim, embroidery thread and little beads. There’ll be a guide to embroidery stitches and a booklet with 4 or 5 little projects in them that can be made with the contents of the kit.

I’ve finished the first project. Predictably it’s felt bunting! I’m sharing this so that everybody has the option of making it even if they don’t want to buy a kit. And if you get the emails, I’ll be sending out the link to the pdf version of the booklet of projects once it’s done.

UPDATE: The kits have finally been completed and they can be found here!

embroidered felt bunting tutorial

Instructions For Making Embroidered Felt Bunting

To Make Felt Bunting, You Will Need

Felt in pretty colours. I chose a mint green, a salmony pink and white and I bought it from this lady on Etsy. This isn’t an affiliate link; I just want to do my bit to support small businesses.

Embroidery thread in complimentary colours. I used 2 shades of sage green, salmon pink and grey.

Trim. Bias binding is good. You could use ribbon, lace or whatever you have.

Cutting Out

Cut 4 triangles from 1 colour and 3 from the other. You could cut the same number of each, but odd numbers usually look better.

Cut 3 smaller triangles from white felt.

If you don’t want to make your own templates, you can have mine, plus the embroidery design, in exchange for an email address. The form is at the bottom of the post.

Embroidering the Flags

I used lazy daisies, woven wheels, fern stitch and French knots.

embroidered felt bunting tutorial

You could copy my design or do your own. I’d recommend odd numbers of things (although I have broken this rule!). Start with larger things then add smaller ones where there is space. It’s probably a good idea to sketch some ideas first, as it’s much easier to rub out ideas that don’t work or that you don’t like than to unpick a lot of sewing!

Assembling the Bunting

Lay out the larger flags alternating the colours. On top of the 1st, 4th and 7th flags place an embroidered flag.

embroidered felt bunting tutorial

Pin the trim to the tops of the triangles. Remember to leave a bit at each end for tying! If you’re using bias binding, you could fold the binding in half lengthways and slip the flags inside.

embroidered felt bunting tutorial

Sew the trim to the flags. If you’ve used bias binding, you’ll need to sew the ends too.

Now all you need to do is find somewhere to put your felt bunting! I like to hang mini bunting on my dresser.

embroidered felt bunting tutorial
embroidered felt bunting tutorial
embroidered felt bunting tutorial

If you’d like the templates and the embroidery design, please fill in the form below.

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Filed In: Blog, Embroidery, Sewing Projects / Tagged: bunting, embroidery, how to

Hand Lettering For Embroidery

January 19, 2020 · 2 Comments

handlettering for embroidery

Hand Lettering For Embroidery

What is Hand Lettering?

Hand lettering has been a thing for a couple of years now, and having tried it myself, I can tell you that it is both easy and fun!

It doesn’t matter if you consider yourself not very artistic or if you don’t naturally have beautiful handwriting.

All it takes is a little bit of practice. You don’t even need any special equipment, just a pen, a pencil and and some paper!

I discovered hand lettering 2 years ago, and although my handwriting is not naturally beautiful (it could even be described on occasion as awful!), I have produced some things I’m quite pleased with, including the design for my tote bags.

bunting makes everything better tote bag handlettering for embroidery

So having tried hand letting and found it enjoyable and quite easy, I decided to have a go at handlettering for embroidery.

Hand Lettering and Embroidery Projects

What I found was that hand lettering for embroidery is exactly the same as hand lettering with a pen, just with a needle and thread!

My first attempt resulted in these Christmas embroidery hoops. The words are embroidered in a hand lettered style. I actually made these for All Free Sewing’s National Sewing Month in 2018.

handlettering for embroidery

I was in a hurry to get them made because we were going on holiday, and I don’t think a project has ever come together so quickly! The hoops were designed, made and written up within a week!

So hand lettering for embroidery can be good for a quick project, although you can make it longer and more complicated if you want to.

Hand lettering: The Quick Version

Before giving handlettering for embroidery a whirl, it’s a good idea to practise with a pencil and paper first.

The first thing to do is to write out your word or phrase in your neatest joined up handwriting. You’ll need to write the letters larger than usual, which can be a challenge for those of us with small writing!

handlettering for embroidery

Make sure you space everything out a bit too, because you’ll be making some of the lines thicker and you need to have room on the paper to do that.

It might not be perfect first time, so keep practising! If you’re finding that the letters are all over the place, you might find it helpful to draw some lines as a guide.

When you’re happy with your word or phrase, the next step is to make the downstrokes of the letters thicker.

So look at your word or phrase, and whenever your pencil moved downwards to make part of a letter, add another line on the inside. If there’s a bit of a gap between the line and the rest of the letter, shade it in with you pencil.

handlettering for embroidery

It can be hard knowing when to stop sometimes, and if you’re not careful you might end up thickening all the lines! As a general rule, only thicken the line until it starts to change direction.

Once you’ve done this, go over it with a pen. My favourite pens are these because they write nicely, they’re waterproof and they don’t smudge.

Give it a little while for the ink to dry, then rub out the pencil marks.

As I’ve already said, you probably won’t get perfect results straight away. But if you keep practising you will get better. I noticed a marked improvement after only 3 or 4 attempts, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t like your first attempt!

If you descide that you love handlettering and you want to do more of it, I recommend Handlettering For Relaxation by Amy Latta. 

Embroidering Your Design

To embroider your design, you go about it in exactly the same way.

If you’re feeling confident, you could lightly sketch the word of phrase onto your fabric with a pencil, chalk or a washable pen suitable for this kind of thing.

Otherwise, trace the design onto the fabric.

(If you need to know about transferring embroidery designs to fabric, you might like to take a look at this post here.)

I wouldn’t bother with transferring the thicker lines, just the first lines so that you get the word onto the fabric with the letters the correct size and in the right place.

Now start to embroider over the lines that you have drawn using back stitch. Although the advice is usually to try to keep your stitches the same size so that they look neat, this advice doesn’t apply when you are embroidering letters. The straight parts of the letters look neater if you use longer stitches, but the curves will look better if you sew smaller ones.

handlettering for embroidery

There are instructions for sewing backstitch in this post here if you need them.

Once you’ve done this, find the downstrokes on the letters and add another row of stitches. Depending on the size of your letters you might need to add a second row of stitches to the whole word and a third row to the downstrokes.

handlettering for embroidery

Finishing Your Design

You might be happy to leave it as it is. It’s your design so it’s up to you!

However, if you want to add something to it, here are some suggestions. I’d recommend trying them out on paper first!

Put your design inside a wreath. You could draw a circle and add leaves, either freehand or by drawing round a bowl/ plate/ roll of sellotape. I acually think that circles that aren’t perfect have a rustic charm that’s much nicer than a perfect circle. It can be hard to draw them though, so another option is to go round and round a few times in the style of a willow wreath.

You can then sew over this using back stitch and add leaves, flowers, buds or berries. Woven wheels make nice flowers as do French knots. Seed beads also work, and that’s what I used on my little Christmas hoops.

Add some flowers underneath the text. Again, woven wheels make good flowers, or you could sew lazy daisies to make the kind with petals, or fern stitch for the kind on a long stalk.

Bunting. The answer to everything! If in doubt, add bunting! You could embroider it like I did here, or applique some little triangles to your design.

To display your embroidery, embroidery hoops are idea;, or you could pop it in a frame. You might have a plan for it already, and want to use it as part of something else, perhaps a purse or a notebook cover.

If you make something, I’d love to see! You can either share it on the Tea and a Sewing Machine Facebook page, post it on Instagram and tag me (@annaatteaandasewingmachine) so that I’ll see it, or send me a picture at teaandasewingmachine@gmail.com.

hand lettering for embroidery

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Filed In: Blog, Embroidery / Tagged: embroidery

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I'm Anna and I live in rural Norfolk in the UK. My mum taught me how to use a sewing machine when I was 10 and I haven't looked back! I love making all sorts of things and I hope you find inspiration here.

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