On a recent crafting retreat, my friend Tina Higgins taught our group to do embroidery. But this was to be no ordinary embroidery lesson!
After reviewing the basic stitches, we learned how to use a variety of techniques, beginning with silk ribbon embroidery, which makes the stitches dimensional. Next, Tina showed us how to do reverse appliqué, combining embroidery with a cut-out technique which reveals a layer of fabric below. The six of us had enormous fun, spending the entire day creating gifts for our children and friends. Here are some of the amazing results:
Project One - The Amazing Personalized T-Shirt
Tina made a uniquely personalized tshirt for her daughter Katie, using a reverse appliqué technique for the initial. Using white transfer paper and a photocopy of the letter, she transferred the “K” to the tshirt. Then she pinned a layer of patterned fabric on the inside of the tshirt (right side facing out), and then placed this area of the shirt securely into an embroidery hoop. Using 3 strands of embroidery thread, Tina carefully stitched just outside of her white transfer lines. Using a pair of small sewing scissors, she cut right on the white transfer lines, revealing the patterned fabric layer below. She explained that jersey fabric is perfect for this project, because it naturally rolls in when it’s cut, so there is no need to turn the raw edges under…making it very quick and easy to get great results!
To make the bird, Tina cut a shape out of patterned fabric. Leaving the edges raw, she pinned it down and then hand-stitched just inside the perimeter. She added embroidered legs and branch, and a rhinestone eye.
For a final creative touch, Tina replaced all of the buttons on the tshirt with colored ones that coordinated with her patterned fabric. Way to go, Tina!
Project Two - The Stunning Denim Jumper
For her next magnificent project, Tina started with a plain denim jumper, and added some real whimsy and character to it. She stitched white rick rack on to the straps, and then machine-stitched cotton fabric on the bodice. Using the reverse appliqué technique, she added a fabulous bird, adding a rhinestone eye and vintage earring for a little hat. The branch was created using frayed white seam binding. She also clipped and frayed the bottom of the dress, which will be further accentuated as it is washed repeatedly.
When Tina’s young daughter wore her dress to school, she got lots of compliments…as you can imagine! She told her admiring teachers that “there is love in every stitch of my dress”! Tina dear, you amaze us all!
Inspired by Tina’s bird creations, I made something similar as a gift for my friend Anna, who recently celebrated her 26th birthday (or something like that!).
The lovely Dena Fishbein made a delightful embellished tshirt for her daughter Lisa (modeled by the always-gorgeous Anne Keenan Higgins). To make her shirt, Dena cut a flower out of quilting fabric and stitched on a sparkley earring center. Using embroidery thread, she stitched a stem, curls, and a fabric pot. As a final touch of sweetness, Dena stitched a fabric edge to the neck and bottom. Too cute for words!!!
All this crafting makes a girl hungry! We were well-nourished with the tantalizing creations made by chefs Kathleen and Tina. Pictured in group photo are embroidery fanatics Anne, Tina, Sheila, Dena and Brenda.
editor's note: To read other posts in this craft project series, click Craftstravaganza, Charmed I'm Sure!, Something Old, Something New, and Blooming Buckets.
