For quite some time, I have been wanting to try out watercolor with embroidery and I decided that Easter was the perfect opportunity to give it a go. I bought an inexpensive set of watercolors at Hobby Lobby, but after testing them out, I realized that the colors I wanted were not in the palette. So I experimented with adding water to acrylic paint, and I have to say that I am very pleased with the results. Just a small quirt of acrylic paint mixed with water worked brilliantly.
My first attempt was a bust. I painted my fabric too close to the edge of the eggs and bunnies and it bled over quite a bit. With just a few tweaks, I found a good system. I embroidered the outline using a back stitch first. Then I added the watercolor, starting in the center of the egg or bunny and worked my way toward the outer edge, being careful to wait to see how far the watercolors spread. As I got closer to the edge, I made sure the brush was less saturated and dabbed very gently.
After letting the watercolors dry completely, I stitched the floral designs inside of the eggs and bunnies. I used a heat erasable fabric pen to trace out the pattern before adding the watercolors, and because the colors were pastels, it was easy to see the pattern inside of the bunnies and eggs, even after painting.
If you love embroidery or are interested in learning, here is what you will need to make these beautiful pastel Easter Patterns:
PDF printable pattern and instructions available in my Etsy Shop
2 oval embroidery hoops (you can use 8 inch round hoops as well)
embroidery floss (color suggestions DMC 554, 760, 913, 3817, & BLANC)
If you purchase my pattern, you will also get access to a full video tutorial for the egg pattern on my new YouTube Channel “thistles and rainbows,” as well as a tutorial on how to do the woven wheel rose stitch so that you can complete the bunny pattern.
Embroidery has become one of my favorite hobbies. I find it to be a relaxing way to get quiet in the midst of the noise and business of life. The pattern possibilities are endless and I have several more in the works right now. Keep checking my Etsy Shop for fun new embroidery patterns and more.
kerricreates 