Embroidery samplers make a charming alternative artwork to framed prints and canvas blocks, and the embroidery hoop can be used afterwards for the picture frame.
You will need
• designs / diagram
• 25 x 25cm piece of DMC Aida canvas with 8 holes per 2,5cm (we used natural for the heart design and white for the crown design)
• small blunt-ended needle
• stranded embroidery thread in red
• small and medium-sized embroidery hoops
• 100cm of woven ribbon for each sampler
Note The heart design is slightly easier than the crown design, if this is your first attempt at cross-stitch.
To embroider
1 Fold the canvas in half lengthwise and width ways and press. Thread the blunt-ended needle with three strands of embroidery thread and tie a knot at the end. Counting down from the centre of the folds according to the diagram, work in cross-stitch from the centre outwards. Work all the stitches in the same direction. It is a good idea to work half cross-stitches across the row or outline, then work back to complete the stitches.
2 When you have finished the embroidery thread, turn the work to the wrong side and slip the end through a couple of stitches. Cut away the excess thread. Join in the new thread in the same way. Continue to embroider until the diagram is completed.
3 Fold a boxed bow from ribbon and attach at the top of the embroidery hoop. Let the ribbon hang behind the picture. Cut the ends diagonally so the ribbon doesn’t fray. You can also slip the ribbon over a small wooden dowel and attach it to the top of the embroidery hoop.
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