The Textile Artist's Studio Handbook

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(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

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(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

#175 DTP:225 Page:159

152-159_28051.indd 159 3/6/12 8:58 PM

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THE T E X T ILE ART I ST' S S T UDIO HANDBOOK

158

N EEDLE W O RK

PROJECT:

tools

• Paper

• Pencil

• Embroidery needle

• Regular sewing

needle

• Towel (optional)

instructions

1. Draw out your design on paper. It can be a simple

line drawing because once you start the embroi-

dery it will come to life. [a]

2. Work on a padded surface (see how to make a

padded surface on page 26). If you don’t have a

padded surface, simply place a folded towel on

your table. Position the paper on top of the card so

that the drawing is directly over the desired loca-

tion for the embroidery. If you are using a folded

card, open it so it is flat on the work surface.

materials

• Thread or

embroidery floss

• Blank cards

Embroidered Note Cards

Here’s an easy way to incorporate embroidery into your greeting cards. You know

that the cards are displayed on the mantle, the desk, the piano, or the fridge, so

delight your family and friends with handmade cards that are worth showing off.

Depending on the stitch, the cards may have a comforting and old time feeling, or

be as modern and sharp as graphic art. Experiment with the kind of thread you use;

try metallic thread on dark paper or fuzzy yarns on a patterned card. Whatever you

do, you can be sure that your cards stand out from the rest.

A

C

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ThE T E x T ilE ArT i ST' S S T udiO hAndBOOk n EEdlE w O rk

159

3. Hold the drawing in place with your nondominant

hand, and with your dominant hand, use the

regular sewing needle to perforate the drawing

and note card over the drawn lines. Leave enough

space between the holes so the paper and note

card don’t tear. You need to use the regular needle

to perforate the paper because the blunter point

of the embroidery needle could cause the papers

to crease, crinkle, or tear.

4. Once you poke holes over the entire drawing, re-

move the paper from the card, but keep it in front

of you for reference.

5. Thread the embroidery needle and use it to em-

broider through the holes in the note card. Make

a small knot on the end of your thread so that it

stays taut in the first stitch. Be creative, connect

dots—there are no limits to the types of stitch-

ing that you do. The only consideration you may

make is to the weight of your paper. Too much

perforation can result in ripping of the card along

the dotted line. Don’t worry if the back is messy

because you can take a second piece of paper or

note card and glue it to the inside so that the back

of the embroidery work does not show. [B, C]

A

B

C

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(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

#175 DTP:225 Page:159

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