Hi new friends! I'm Kristen Gula from Gulush Threads here to introduce you to modern floral embroidery with a fun, bright, and colorful pattern - just in time for school!
I've been in the embroidery game since 2013, but floral hand embroidery became my true passion just a few years ago (and I haven't looked back)! Since I was a kid, I've always loved nature and flowers and everything in between that springs forth from the ground. My original aspiration was to be a florist, but now - I get to create flowers that will never die (I like to call them forever flowers)! And, with this tutorial, you will be able to create some forever flowers yourself!
This passion of mine sprung from my need to ease my anxiety as a stay-at-home mom and has evolved into so much more over the past five years! I've gone from filming online class with Brit & Co to teaching in-person classes across the country as well as publishing my first book, 200 Embroidered Flowers. I sell embroidery kits and patterns on my website and plan to launch my Youtube channel in a few weeks! Make sure to follow along on social media, so you don't miss out on the amazing things coming to Gulush Threads!
Okay, so enough about me, it's time to get stitchy!
Supply List
- DMC Six Strand Embroidery Floss
- ECRU
- 14
- 19
- 33
- 211
- 319
- 347
- 355
- 402
- 469
- 471
- 500
- 501
- 520
- 562
- 600
- 676
- 700
- 702
- 726
- 745
- 772
- 777
- 778
- 912
- 915
- 961
- 986
- 3347
- 3771
- 3831
- Pencil
- Printed Pattern (below)
- Light Source (iPad, tablet, window, etc)
- Embroidery Scissors
- Embroidery Needle (Chenille 18)
- Embroidery Frame (Wooden, Plastic, or Q-Snap)
- Fabric (Linen, Linen/Look, Cotton)
- Fabric Scissors
- Sulky Iron-On Stabilizer
- Iron
Key
Letters: The letters of the pattern refer to the stitches used in the pattern
Numbers: The numbers of the pattern refer to the colors used in the pattern
Pattern Breakdown
Before you can begin stitching, you have to transfer the pattern onto the fabric that you are embroidering. Download and print out the pattern, making sure to use the 'scale percentage size' when printing to make sure the pattern fits the frame/area you are wanting to embroider. It may take a few tries to get the percentage/size right, so don't give up if it takes more than one print out! If you don't have a printer, you can always just transfer the pattern with your tablet (it make make transferring a little more difficult, but it is possible)! Just make sure to turn up your brightness!
Once you have printed the pattern, it's time to transfer it to your fabric! To transfer the pattern onto your fabric, back light the printed pattern with a tablet or north facing window. Place the printed pattern over the light source and tape it down. Set the fabric in the embroidery frame and then flip the frame upside down, so the fabric is pressing against the printed pattern. Using a pencil, trace over the pattern onto the fabric. Once you are finished, take the fabric out of the frame and reset with the transferred pattern facing towards you.
Go ahead and start getting stitchy! This pattern is completed using only three strands of six stranded embroidery floss. You can separate the strands by rolling the thread between your fingers, grabbing three strands, and pulling the thread apart until they separate. The stitches used for this pattern are: satin stitch, stem stitch, straight stitch, and french knot. Use the illustrated diagrams of the key stitches in the pattern breakdown to complete the pattern (use the key listed above to follow the pattern breakdown when you are stitching the pattern).
After you have finished stitching the pattern onto your fabric, you can protect the stitches by ironing on a stabilizer to the back of the embroidery. Sulky Iron-On Tender Touch Stabilizer is a great product for this as it won't irritate the skin when the item is worn. Turn your fabric upside down to expose the backside of the embroidery.
Cut the stabilizer an inch bigger than the embroidery and then place on top with the course side of the stabilizer touching the embroidery.
Heat an iron to 250 degrees (usually the wool setting on most irons), then place the iron on top of the embroidery for about ten seconds and, voila! You have successfully protected your embroidery for years to come (and made it way less itchy on sensitive skins)!
And that's it! This pattern can be embellished on any kind of material, so don't limit yourself! I look forward to seeing what you do with this pattern so make sure to tag me on social media once you have completed the pattern (use can also use my tag: #STITCHVENTURE)!
Until next time, friends!
Kristen
