I have a flower block, part of a series, and I want to add a little "extra" in each block, like a ladybird, or a little spider, etc.

If I applique using fusible for a little ladybird, how would I edge it? Tiny little bits tend to get destroyed if I try and stitch around them.

I'm guessing hand embroidered would be the best way, but I've never embroidered anything other than straight lines, so not sure about doing a design.

Help! :-)

Hi Blue,

I agree that it is difficult to sew around tiny appliques. I think you could do a good job of embroidering. Just do the outline, and then fill it in. Say, could you send me your address in a PM? I will have a squishy for you in maybe a week or two that I'd like to send you. Good luck on your flower project.

A squishy? For me? Really? :D


I might have to learn to embroider properly. A really good New Zealand designer has a new pattern in the NZ Quilting magazine, which comes out every two months. It's ten blocks in total, and there will be the pattern for one block in each issue. They're all flowers, and look gorgeous, but I want to add my own touch seeing as I'm not really a flower person. I want to have something almost hidden in each block to jazz it up a bit.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a good tutorial for hand embroidery?

Embroidery will look really good and be much easier to execute. I have a good book which helps with embellishment ideas, it is "The Magic of Crazy Quilting : A Complete Resource for Embellished Quilting (2nd ed.) author, J. Marsha Michler.

You don't have to be an expert to create little creatures to "hide" in your work, just master a few lazy daisies, stem stitch and french knots and you'll be sweet. When you do tiny things, don't overthink it, a spider can be created by using satin stitch for the two body parts, a couple of french knots up the head end and a couple of straight stitches pointing the appropriate ways for legs, you can also use beads and other bits and pieces. Have a play and I'm sure you'll be an experti in no time.

Ohhhh..... never thought of beads, thank you!

Been having a wee look on youtube, and there's a few tutorials. I seem to recall buying a magazine that had a huge section on hand embroidery, so will look for that tomorrow.

blue chicken - do you have any friends who are embroiderers... put a notice in your local paper and there are sure to be tutors or others who would help you. We are a helpful bunch... (usually)... You need somebody sitting next to you, both of you with needle, thread and material.... yes, you can make spiders out of beads, small one for the head, next size bigger for the body... then stem stitch the legs... just follow a photo of a spider.

Here's some 'how to' stitches for free at: http://www.craftown.com/instruction/embroidery.htm

Here's a great 'how to' backstitch:) Cute free pattern here too! Go to: http://needleinahaystackstitchery.bl...christmas.html

When doing hand embrod. I find I use the backstitch much and also the 'stem' stitch:)I am glad you are doing some homework on this for you will really enjoy it! I do! Presently am working on a stitchery and am using the backstitch:) I love the bead look too! Hope this helps... Skeat

Thanks guys. :-)

I don't know anyone who hand stitches. There's a quilting guild here, but they're all a lot older and they seem to be quite clicky, they're not very welcoming at all, sadly.

It's almost midnight now, so I'm off to bed. I'll check out the links tomorrow.

:-)

Oh be careful!! I JUST started embroidering back in like MAY and it is so addicting! It can be time consuming but it is so much fun! I learned from the first site that Skeat posted! You can also check youtube in hands in action!

I so agree!!:)And, who'd thunk??........LOL Skeat