Tag: sewing

Easter Egg and Easter Bunny Embroidery Patterns with Watercolors

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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)

white cotton fabric

embroidery floss (color suggestions DMC 554, 760, 913, 3817, & BLANC)

fabric pens

embroidery needles

scissors

watercolors or acrylic paints

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.

Valentine Felt Heart “Love Bombs”

Published on by kerricreatesblog3 Comments

One of my favorite things to do in the month of February is to shower my kids with words of affirmation leading up to Valentine’s Day. I have done this several different ways over the years, but “LOVE BOMBS” are my favorite. I started this tradition last year and I loved the concept so much, that I decided to make a bunch and sell them. I made a new batch this year and you can find them in my Etsy Shop. But if you are crafty like me, and want to make some “LOVE BOMBS” of your own…

Here’s what you will need:

Felt in Valentine colors

Ribbon

Buttons

Embroidery Floss

Card Stock

Poly-Fil

Needle

White thread

#commissionsearned

Love Bomb Printable PDF

love-bomb-templateDownload

Cut out the three pieces of felt using the free PDF printable that I included. Then cut 2 pieces of ribbon, one about 5 inches to sew to the top of the 1/2 heart pocket, and another piece about 11.5 inches to use as the loop on the top of the heart. Cut some flower shapes if you want make a flower. I used my Cricut Maker 3 to cut these, but you can just cut some simple daisies in various sizes to layer for the felt flower. 

Use a running stitch to attach the ribbon to the top of the pocket. Depending on the ribbon you choose, you can place it behind the pocket or in front of it. Next, sew the button to the center of your flower and then sew the flower to the pocket and front piece of the heart. 

Loop the longer piece of ribbon, and add a couple of stitches to the inside of the back heart piece.

Now put all three layers together and use a blanket stitch around the entire heart with your embroidery floss in a color that closely matches your felt. If you don’t know how to do a running stitch and a blanket stitch, you can find many helpful tutorials on youtube. Be sure to leave about 2.5 inches of your heart open to stuff with the Poly-fil. #commissionsearned

Once you have stuffed your heart, complete the blanket stitch the rest of the way around, and your VALENTINE LOVE BOMB is complete. Hang it on your child’s bedroom door on January 31 and place a note in the pocket each night leading up to Valentine’s Day to fill their love tank to overflowing. Or you can start your LOVE BOMB on Valentine’s Day and continue leaving notes as many days in a row as you would like to.

I’ve included photos of the various styles of “LOVE BOMBS” that I created this year.

I also used my Cricut Maker 3 to make the little cut out heart cards, but you can just cut pieces of card stock in Valentine colors to fit inside of the little pocket. 

Be sure to subscribe to my blog and leave me a comment to let me know if you make some “LOVE BOMBS” of your own, or you can purchase one of mine from my new Etsy Shop.

Vintage Style Embroidered Floral Necklaces

Published on by kerricreatesblog1 Comment

If you’ve been following my blog, then you know that embroidery has become one of my passions. I love learning new stitches and creating beautiful things, and these vintage style necklaces have become some of my favorites. They may look complicated, but they are actually easier than you would expect. 

You can find countless tutorials on youtube on how to do various embroidery stitches, but one of my goals for 2024 is to create my own channel to teach people how to do embroidery. Stay tuned for more information about that. If you are wanting to learn how to make similar necklaces or keychains, here is what you will need.

cotton or linen fabric

embroidery floss

needles

embroidery hoop

necklace bezels

chains

keychain bezels

keychain holders

E6000 plus crystal clear glue

clothes pins

cardboard for bezel inserts (I cut mine on my Cricut Maker 3, but you can use scissors and an empty cereal box)

#commissionsearned

Space out your embroidery so that you can easily cut around each one. I like to use a water soluble fabric marker to draw little circles in the same size as the bezel so that each one fits inside of the circle. I also use the fabric marker to trace around the fabric before I cut it. Leave enough of an edge to fit around the cardboard circle insert.

Optional tip: I like to cut a small circle of felt (the same size as the cardboard insert) to place in between the fabric and the cardboard circle to make the fabric and embroidery puff up a bit.

Cut a small circle out of cardboard to fit inside of the bezel. Some bezels come with glass or metal inserts so you don’t have to make your own. Use a running stitch around the excess fabric and cinch it to tighten around the back. Then use the rest of the thread in a criss cross pattern to tighten the folds in place so that the fabric lays as flat as possible against the cardboard.

Use a generous glob of E6000 crystal clear glue inside of the bezel. You should have a thin layer around the inside of the metal, but not so much that it will squeeze out over the edge when you press the embroidery on it. Place the fabric/embroidery inside of the bezel and hold in place with 2-3 clothes pins. Let them dry for 24 hours and then remove the clothes pins and gently fluff up any indents with your fingers. Add a chain and your necklaces are ready to wear. If you are making keychains, then attach the keychain holders instead of adding a necklace chain.

I’ve included a picture of my most recent craft fair so that you can see how I display my necklaces and keychains. I used my Cricut Maker 3 to create the necklace holders out of card stock. #commissionsearned I do currently have a small collection of St. Patrick’d Day embroidered necklaces in my Etsy Shop if you are looking to purchase one.

My favorite thing about making these necklaces and keychains is that each one is unique and there are so many variations you can create. Embroidery is a lost art, but it is making a come back. If you are interested in learning more about embroidery, follow along with me on my blog. I have a lot of fun projects and tutorials planned for the new year!

For more embroidered necklaces, check out my blogpost St. Patrick’s Day Necklaces.

DIY “My Little Pony” Capes Tutorial

Published on by kerricreatesblog1 Comment

My Little Pony Capes Template

This week I finally made the time to create a tutorial for the My Little Pony Capes that I make for my daughter’s ponies.   While she was in school the other day,  I made 3 new capes and when she came home she was thrilled!  Just a couple of scraps of material, some pretty embellishments, and a little bit of my time has led to hours of imaginary play with ponies the past 2 days.  Definitely time well spent!

To see more ideas for “My Little Pony” Capes, you can read my original post here.  To learn how to make some of these tiny capes for your child’s own My Little Ponies, watch my tutorial above.

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Pennant Banner

Published on by kerricreatesblog1 Comment

img_5748Pennant Banners are one of the most simple sewing projects and can add pops of color to any room or front porch.  They can be used as a party decoration, on a mantle or mirror during the holidays, or in a child’s room.  They can be made out of paper, material, or burlap.  The possibilities are endless!  I have made various kinds of pennant banners for many occasions.  For this post, I’m featuring the most recent one I made for a friend of mine, but I’m also including one of my most popular youtube video tutorials on how to make a pennant banner.

With Valentine’s Day only a couple of weeks away, you may want to make your own version of this LOVE Pennant Banner to hang on your mantle!  After watching my tutorial on How to Make A Pennant Banner, you will need a couple of additional steps to add letters to your banner.  img_5487

You will need to purchase a package of light Seam A Seam 2 from your local fabric store.  Find a font you like on your computer.  Print your letters in the size you want them to be on your banner.  Cut out the letters.  Turn your letters over and trace them onto a sheet of the Seam A Seam.  Peal the bottom off and adhere to the fabric you have chosen for your letters.  Iron over the top to attach the Seam A Seam to your fabric.  Cut out the letters, following the lines you initially traced.  Peel the backing off.  Your fabric letters should now be slightly tacky on the back.  Position them on your banner exactly as you want them.  Iron them for about 20 -30 seconds one at a time.  Your banner is now complete.  For a more in depth tutorial on how to use the Seam A Seam to attach letters to fabric, watch my Advent Bags Tutorial.

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My friend decided to use this pennant banner for her daughter’s nursery.  It just so happened to work perfectly with the colors she chose and I am so thrilled to see it hanging up in this precious baby girl’s bedroom.

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My Little Pony Capes

Published on by kerricreatesblog1 Comment

My daughter loves My Little Ponies!  The thing that makes me so happy about this, is that I loved My Little Ponies as a little girl too!  In fact, my mom actually saved several of my ponies and gave them to Karis a couple of years ago.  I cannot even tell you how much fun it is to see my own child enjoying the very toys that I so often played with when I was her age.

One afternoon when Karis was playing ponies she asked me if we could make clothes for them.  Now I can sew a little bit, but making clothes for tiny horses is beyond my abilities.  I noticed that a couple of her newer ponies came with little capes.  With a little trial and error,  I figured out a simple way to make pony capes by using small hair scrunchies, scraps of material, and various ribbons, buttons, and fabric flowers that I had in my craft drawers.  We spent several hours together designing these “outfits” for the ponies to wear.  Most definitely time well spent with my girl, and it brings me joy to watch her play pretend while dressing her ponies up in their beautiful capes.

Check out my tutorial to make some pony capes of your own and click here for the printable  My Little Pony Capes Template.

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