Stitch Book Cacti Cushion Embroidery Project
This fantastic Cacti themed embroidery project will breath new life into your cushions and bring a modern and chic look to your room.
Stitch is packed with a whole range of quirky, modern and beautiful embroidery projects, so the fabulous team at GMC have shared this cacti cushion embroidery tutorial in order to get us crafters in the mood for some stitching. Add an exciting twist to you cushions with this simple French knot technique.
You will need
- Large sheet of tissue paper
- Blue coloured pencil
- Cushion cover
- Large embroidery hoop (size dependent on cushion)
- Pins Embroidery needle, size 10
- Embroidery scissors
- Machine thread in pale blue
- Tweezers (optional)
- Tapestry needle, size 22–24
- Chenille needle, size 24
- Tapestry wool in yellow, orange, pink, lilac and pale blue
- Iron
- Small embroidery hoop, measuring 6in (15cm)
Step 1
Start by tracing the Cacti template onto a large sheet of tissue paper using a blue coloured pencil (blue is a colour that will not show up if it is accidentally transferred onto the cushion cover).
Step 2
Take the cushion cover and place a large embroidery hoop over the main area you will be working. Pin the tissue paper into place, making sure your pins are clean.
Step 3
Thread the embroidery needle with a length of pale-blue machine cotton. Starting in the middle of the design, begin a large running stitch.
NOTE: Do not secure your thread too tightly to start, as it will be removed at the end of the project; simply go over the first stitch three times.
Step 4
Work the running stitch using a long stitch on the top and a short thread underneath. Stitches should be approximately 13 /64 – 3 /8in (5–10mm) long.
Step 5
When you have covered all the blue pencil lines with running stitch, carefully rip away the tissue paper. Use tweezers or a tapestry needle to remove any small pieces that remain. You will be left with the outline of the two cacti in pale-blue running stitch.
Step 6
Thread the chenille needle with yellow tapestry wool. Secure the thread at the centre bottom of the design, between the two cacti, using the stab-stitch method (see page 104). (Make sure these stitches are eventually covered.) Start to work a scattered arrangement of French knots.
Step 7
When you have used up the first length of yellow wool, end your thread with the stab-stitch method. Change to orange thread and work around the yellow French knots. Work the knots closely together near the cacti and slightly more spread apart as you get farther away.
TIP : You can always add more yellow French knots to the design at a later stage, or revisit any other previously worked colours.
Step 8
After the orange thread you can start to use the pink. When you feel you are in an area that needs to change colour, work the French knots farther apart to give the impression of blending into the next colour.
TIP: If you have no place to stab stitch when ending and starting a thread, you can secure the threads on the reverse by tying on to the back of the previously worked stitches
Step 9
Continue the same method with the lilac thread, then work in the pale blue. The pale blue will be much more spread out than the previous colours.
Step 10
When there is no more room on the hoop to work, take the hoop off and press the creases away with an iron set to a medium heat. You can now use a small embroidery hoop to work the scattered French knots on the rest of the cushion.
TIP : Take care when travelling your thread along the back. If it is too tight it will pucker the fabric.
Step 11
When you are happy that the design is complete, carefully remove the pale-blue tacking thread. Gently turn the cushion cover inside out and press with a medium/cool iron
Stitch by Amy Burt is available in UK now. Follow this link to see more of the book or get a copy to try more great projects like this.