I thought I’d post a bit about what steps I take to finish an embroidery.  The first step is the idea, of course.  A good idea will keep me up way past my bedtime. 

process 001

Then I sketch.  For something inorganic (like guns, pills, other objects) I sketch directly onto tracing paper.  If you were stitching a portrait, you might need a few sketches to get your lines right.

process 003  

Then I trace the lines on the back of the paper with an iron-on transfer pencil.  (Remember that the image will reverse.)  I have no problems with ironing on transfers because my lines are always bold and chunky and permanent marks will certainly be covered.   Any time I use a chalk transfer, I lose and smear my lines.  Yuck.

process 004

Then I either choose floss colors to make a palette, or I spin from a pile of wool, blending the fibers like paints.  (My favorite!)

Want to play along at home?  I’ll give away a set of handspun embroidery yarn to a random lucky reader.  I’m also including a copy of The New Crewel.  I really want to give the embroidery bug to someone.

How to win?  Leave a comment below before I post again.  Make sure that I can contact you some way.   I will choose a winner at random.