Chapter 4
Finishing Techniques
Finishing in a Hoop
The simplest way to finish your work is by framing it in an embroidery hoop and hanging it proudly on the wall. Follow these basic steps (starting on the following page).
Wooden hoops look nice natural, but it can be fun to stain or paint them with acrylic paint and apply a varnish. A framed embroidery in a small painted hoop with a cute ribbon makes a lovely handmade tree ornament. Pull out the glitter glue and sequins to create an extra-sparkly frame.
As an alternative to the standard hoop shape, you can stretch the finished work on wood canvas bars for a more elegant look in a rectangular frame. Line the wood with framer’s tape and add an additional layer of fabric to help protect your embroidery art. Use clamps to similarly center and evenly stretch the fabric across your frame. Secure with staples or use a full six strands of embroidery floss to lace the backside to secure the work.
1. Ensure the work is centered and tight in the hoop. Trim any excess fabric and use running stitch with a full six strands of floss along the entirety of the fabric edge.
2. Once you have gone all the way around the perimeter, pull on both ends of the floss to cinch the fabric closed. Alternatively, use acid-free craft glue to secure the fabric to the inner edge of the embroidery hoop.
3. Use a double knot to secure the floss and trim. The backside of the hoop can be left open, exposing the stitches, or it can be covered with fabric, felt, or cardstock for a more finished look. It’s also easy to cut the running stitches out if you decide to alter your embroidery art or reframe using another method.
Make your own wood canvas bars or buy them precut at art supply stores.
Staining your inexpensive wooden hoops creates a sophisticated frame for your hoop art. Use craft stain or even wood stain pens for an easy fix.
Embroidery on Clothes
Embroidery work can be easily modified into patches for clothes, coats, or backpacks. Make an iron-on patch (secured with extra stitches) using fusible web products found at most craft stores. I turned the Peacock Feather pattern (found on page) into a patch for a jean jacket.
MATERIALS
• Completed embroidery work
• Pen
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors
• Fusible web (such as HeatnBond®)
Hand stitching directly onto clothes can be more challenging than applying an embroidered patch for a number of reasons. Dark, thick fabrics can be difficult for pattern transfer, plus they may be challenging to pierce with a needle. Stitching on stretchy fabrics can result in warped and puckered designs. Also, consider the mechanics of stitching on a small or awkward part of clothing. Your embroidery hoop may not fit, and it may be challenging to reach your hand around and under some areas. So, hand embroidering a patch to be attached to clothing is a good alternative.
I stitched one of the dogs from the Dogs I’ve Known pattern (found on page) directly onto a small boy's T-shirt. I chose the garment and pattern placement with accessibility in mind. I used extra care when anchoring my floss and was sure to use colorfast thread.
Personalize your resuable totes! I want to take this one shopping with me at the farmer’s market. I added one of the bees from the Honeybee Love pattern (found on page) to this cute tote. The canvas was a little thicker to stitch through, but I was still able to transfer the design with the light tracing method.
1. Prepare your work. Mark out the shape of your patch with a pen on the underside of your completed hand embroidery work and trim any excess thread tails.
2. Apply fusible web. Cut a piece of fusible web larger than your future patch but smaller than the current size of the fabric. Place your work face down on an ironing board and iron on the fusible web, referring to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the tip of your iron to seal any irregular edges around the entirety of your embroidery.
3. Trim patch. Once cool, cut away any excess fabric from your patch. Use small scissors if needed to help refine your final patch shape.
4. Apply to garment. Remove the paper backing and apply the patch to your jacket or other garment. Iron the patch to activate the adhesive.
5. Secure to garment. Use thread and needle to fully secure the patch to your garment using your preferred stitch. I used running stitch, but you can get more strength by using back stitch or even buttonhole stitch.
Stitch up a mini pattern and frame it in a jewelry setting for a quick handmade gift.
These mini metal framed embroideries make pretty necklaces and lovely keepsake holiday ornaments.
Making Jewelry
Shrink any design to create wearable mini hand embroidery art! I shrunk and cropped two designs from this book (Happy Tabby, page, and Hedgehog Bouquet, page) to create this jewelry using findings from Nunn Design®.
I added some fun, improvised detail to each of the designs. The cat from Happy Tabby got a flower crown repurposed from the daisies in the original design. The hedgehog bouquets are stitched using scraps of floss with a few seed beads added for sparkle. I like to keep color-sorted thread scraps on hand for small projects like these.
MATERIALS
• Jewelry or ornament kits for embroidery (these are from Nunn Design)
• Embroidery