Basic Embroidery Gift for a Friend

Too cold to go outside?  

Then curl up with a new pattern and embroider a special gift for your friend or family!  This would make a GREAT Valentine's gift and doesn't take long to stitch.

Friendship Angel pattern by Tammy DeYoung Plum Creek Collectibles

This is my favorite little verse:

Our friendship is tried

Our friendship is true

So I'm sending this angel

to watch over you!

You can frame it or make it into a little pillow!  Get the pattern here!

The pattern also includes a punch needle version if you prefer.

It's the perfect pattern for a beginner because you only need a few colors of floss and 2 or three stitch styles.

Here is a wonderful video tutorial I found that will show you the running stitch, outline stitch, stem stitch and French knots!  You can interchange the first three however you like on this pattern.

You will also need muslin, needles, floss and an embroidery hoop, like these:

I use T-dyed muslin, but you can certainly use white or off-white if you prefer.

All the floss colors I use are listed on the pattern.  You can use whatever colors you like, though!

Your pattern will come with the image printed on paper.  You will need to transfer that image onto your muslin before stitching.

It's very simple to do.  I use a table top light box like this one (you can get them from Michaels and Hobby Lobby) but you could also tape the paper to a window and use the light that way.

Lay your pattern on the light surface, lay your muslin on top of the pattern and trace the lines lightly with a regular pencil or a disappearing pen or a wash-out tracing marker like these:

NOTE:  If you use a regular pencil, make sure it's very light and fine point so your stitches will cover the lines because pencil won't wash out.  If you are a beginner, I would start with a disappearing marker...it's much more forgiving if you make a mistake tracing or if you are unsure of your stitching technique.

Now you're ready to stitch!  

Happy stitching!

--Tammy