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My First Embroidery

I finished my first embroidery project the other day! I have been afraid of embroidery for a couple of years now. But lately I’ve been getting into hand sewing (sewing leather handles on bags, sewing hexagons), so I thought, hey, maybe I’m finally ready.

I scoured the internet and Etsy for embroidery patterns to find the one that I would try first. I decided not to pay attention to how difficult they looked, and instead find one that I loved instead. I settled on ‘August Blooms’ from Polka and Bloom. Honestly, all the patterns in this shop are winners, and I look forward to trying all of them!

From the Polka and Bloom website

I had a great time working on this project. The pattern did not explain the stitches used, so I referenced a beginner embroidery book by Jenny Hart. A majority of the pattern was done in backstitching. I also chose a background fabric that was different than white; I think this crosshatch fabric is really nice because it doesn’t seem to overpower the embroidery.

Any advice for other embroidery patterns I should try? I like some of the letters by Sublime Stitching, and also the patterns by Follow the White Bunny.

I also have a free pattern in the works, in cooperation with Rachael from Imagine Gnats, featuring part bag/part embroidery! It’ll be out in the next couple of weeks!

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25 thoughts on “My First Embroidery

  1. rachael says:

    i love your embroidery!! and i’m so excited about our project 🙂

  2. erinatpellon says:

    I’m so impressed, Sara!! I would never have believed that was your first embroidery project. Can’t wait to see the bag you’re doing with Rachael!!

  3. Missy Moo says:

    Sara your embroidery is beautiful. I don’t know why you were scared off, it is very good, your stitches are so even. I love love love embroidery. I look forward to seeing more of your work! Roz

  4. Sharon B says:

    Very nice for a first project. I love the Aunt Martha transfers. You can find some vintage transfers on Ebay and Etsy. I don’t use the old transfers – I copy them and then transfer them using a transfer pen and paper.

  5. Katie says:

    You’ve did an amazing job, Sara! One of my first projects was from Polka & Bloom too, Carina is really sweet. Sublime Stitching is awesome for patterns, so is Follow the White Bunny! I’ve also bought patterns from Big B, the Split Stitch and Sew Lovely (all on Etsy). Actually, I was just in Wild Olive’s stitch swap on flickr. Next time she hosts one, you should join in!!

    I heard from Rachael that you’re going to Sewing Summit!!! I’m super excited and considering how fast tickets sold out, lucky as anything to even have a ticket!!

  6. Wow, this is awesome for your first embroidery, wow!! I love Sublime Stitching’s patterns, they’re super fun 🙂

  7. Jessica says:

    Oh its so pretty Sara!! You could try the ABC crewelwork sampler from Posie Rosy little things, that ones a big pattern, but uses all sorts of fun stitches!

  8. Kay Whitt says:

    Great job, Sara! You will be drawing your own designs soon!

  9. Carrie P. says:

    Well done! Great design and I like how you used the green background.
    Here is a link to some patterns I love.
    http://www.crabapplehillstudio.com/

  10. tisme says:

    Just a warning!!! Next will be crazy quilting! Once you start embroidering, you will have to try out stitching on a crazy quilt block. I am addicted to it.
    🙂 You did a great job. I also like embroidering on black, it really pops your stitches.

  11. It looks sweet!!
    I will watch to see what you tackle next x

  12. Jennifer says:

    great work! it looks wonderful, can’t wait to see this pattern 🙂

  13. Katy Cameron says:

    Pretty! And love the sound of the new collaboration

  14. Shelly says:

    This is so pretty Sara. You might like embroidery at Clover and Violet…Our Blissful Lives. I just finished their first embroidery quilt tutorial, and Im on the second one. I too have just started embroidery! I’ve always been a crossstitcher and I love that I can do both stitching and quilting with embroidery.

  15. suemac says:

    She has some really nice embroidery patterns. I have not made it past cross stitch yet.

  16. Very cute Sara! And thanks Shelly! 🙂

  17. Marcia R says:

    That’s so beautiful! I haven’t done embroidery since I was a teenager, but I’ve considered doing some on the Tova top I am making. This pattern would work perfectly!

  18. quilt happy says:

    that is beautiful

  19. lauradora says:

    wow it’s beautiful, I can’t believe this is your first project.

  20. You were very clever picking the green fabric! It really gives a special quality to the embroidery! I love including embroidery in my quilt projects too.

  21. Cherie says:

    Looks great! Well done =D

  22. Kimi says:

    Hey! You & I are jumping into embroidery at the same time. I recently ordered the Sublime Stitching start kit from Jenny Hart & selected the sushi transfer patter, so I’m learning stitches as I go along stitching sushi!

  23. No way, that is your FIRST try? You are doing fabulously. My first try looked like the cat puked up a hairball of thread on the fabric. Nicely done!

  24. Kristin G says:

    Lovely job Sara, I can’t believe it’s your first attempt at embroidery, amazing! I recently bought the daisy girl pattern from Lilipopo, you should check them out.
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/LiliPopo
    Kristin

  25. Gazal says:

    wow its amazing! can’t believe its your first try.. i like your blog. i love sewing and embroidery, will give it a go.. pls check my blog http://gazals-blog.blogspot.co.uk/

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