Today, I would like to share one of my favorite projects: turning your children’s artwork into embroideries. I’m not the an accomplished needlepointed but, I’ve know the chain stitch and with this simple stick, there are so many practical uses for it. One of the things I love to do is to personalise the items of kids clothing. It can be an monogrammed initial, a secret note in a hem, a heart on a sock (here.) I just think it’s such a fun way to personalise items.
When this drawing appeared, I knew belongs on one of the berets I’d brought back from a recent trip to France! I wanted to see it perched on her head!
(And a little initial detail from the back)
Treasured Drawing Embroidery
Happy March 1. In Stockholm, we are watching the snow melt and enjoying the sound of a growing number of chirping song birds. This bird was meant to land on one of the colorful berets that I had stashed away from an earlier visit to France. (Monoprix: you are a paradise for French basics.) The stiff wool of a beret is an easy and forgiving embroidery surface. You won’t even need to use a loop with this fabric.
There are several ways to transfer your child’s art to the surface:
One: Wing it, by re-drawing the artwork carefully with an embroidery pencil.
Two: “Prick and Pounce” method, described below.
1) Choose a piece of your child’s artwork. I wanted a single color embroidery, but multi-color embroideries are beautiful, too. 2) Transfer the artwork to the beret. 3) Use the chain stitch to embroider the artwork.
SUPPLIES:
One piece of artwork (Line drawings are perfect.)
One wool beret*
Wool embroidery thread
One embroidery needle
Chalk or pounce
Pen or needle for “Prick and Pounce”
HOW-TO EMBROIDER CHILDREN’S ARTWORK ON TO A BERET:
STEP ONE: Transfer art work.
I used the “Pricking and Pouncing” method. Following are the instructions:
1) Cover the backside of the drawing with a heavy coating of chalk.
2) Place the artwork in the appropriate place on the beret. This means: chalk side down, drawing side up. Pin drawing to beret.
3) Following the line of the drawing, prick through the paper, with a pin or pen, along the drawing line in order to transfer the pattern. I have a very soft chalk which worked well. If your chalk isn’t soft enough, you may need to trace over the prick holes with chalk. There is a loose chalk designed for transfers called “pounce.” It is found in craft stores.
STEP TWO: STITCH: Using the chain stitch, stitch the line drawing under the artwork is complete.
STEP THREE: Enjoy!
* I chose a beret for this project, but embroidering children’s artwork is adorable on skirts, jean pockets, book bags and back packs. Most cotton and canvas surfaces will require the use of an embroidery loop.
Something you might like:Towel Beach Bags
Embroidered Knee Socks
Pet Portraits
Travel Luggage
Tags and
Journals (with your kid’s art)
