A complete tutorial for using Outline Stitch including variations on the stitch and a FREE downloadable pattern to practice your new skill!

Is your cross stitch project turning into a mess? Here are some quick, helpful tips and tricks on how to cross stitch neatly.

My default stitch for when I need to fill an area in an embroidery pattern is satin stitch but I don’t particularly enjoy stitching it so I’ve been enjoying trying out a range of different filling stitches.

Browse free vintage patterns, retro hair tutorials and affordable vintage clothing. Enjoy diy fashion crafts and classic style inspiration

First things first, before you dive into your embroidery project, I’d like to show you how you can start and finish your embroidery thread to secure it. Traditionally using knots to start and finish your embroidery thread is a big no-no. And there are several reasons for this. Firstly the knot can show through your

Have you ever wondered how to undo serger stitches without ripping them out one by one? This tutorial will show you how.

These cross stitch patterns are completely inappropriate (also known as subversive cross stitch.) They have bad words in them and some have mature themes. Please only click through if you are looking for inappropriate cross stitch patterns.

Hundreds of Cross stitch patterns for free, in my pattern library. Download the printable pdf charts. Quick and easy, ideal for beginners.

Here I cover 7 different thread starts: Ways to make that first stitch so that your thread stays in place and keeps your back tidy!

I just have to show the back first on this dress right?! I need to first start out by giving credit to the photographer Michelle […]

An beginner's guide to cross stitch, from picking out materials to starting your your first project. Avoid common mistakes and learn a new craft!

Quilts by Paula Fleischer, political and otherwise

Not all bodies are the same shape, so it's natural to need to do a small adjustment or two to get the bodice sitting nicely. It is easy to alter a

If you are anything like me, you're always looking for that new top to help freshen up your existing fabulous wardrobe. Well, look no more; Mood has a brand

Have you ever wondered how to embroider clothes? It's really pretty simple! In this post, I'll go over some tips and tricks... %

In this article I'm sharing 20 sewing patterns that I think are perfect for summer. The best part is, they're also completely free!

Learn how to make the Blanket Stitch plus 6 variations of the stitch with this complete step-by-step photo tutorial including stitching tips.

A list of the most helpful sashiko embroidery tutorials, including videos and how-to make patterns. Plus, sashiko projects and free patterns to inspire you.

Let's learn a very simple Tunisian crochet stitch that you can make easily by following a few steps.

This topic is something I've wanted to cover for a while now. It is especially beneficial for beginner embroiderers who are currently exploring long and short stitching and needlepainting. So, today's topic is actually not just “using long and short stitch as a filler”. I mean, we all know that it can be used as one, right? And we all know the main “how's” of using it as a filler: outline the shape and fill with long and short stitches. In fact, the main point that I wanted to speak about today is using long and short stitching to fill a curvy/wavy shape. Or, in other words, a shape where the direction of your stitches has to change slightly. This wording, however, is a bit too heavy for a headline and I just don't know how to phrase it better, haha. Anyway. Why is this topic important? The main problem here is that long and short stitching consists of straight stitches. And one of the characteristics of stitches is that you can't really bend or curl them. Most of the time, it is a straight line between point A and point B that we use in a lot of various ways. It is not a brush stroke that you can lay in any curvy or wavy way you want. So how can you use these straight stitches to not only fill a shape but keep the “flow” of that shape? Actually, the main trick here is the same as with stem stitch. If you go to the Stem StitchCrash Course and take a look at the last point, you will see there what I said about using it for curves. Stem stitch is a straight line, so that's why the secret is the same. Make your stitches shorter! You can start with guiding stitches, as usual, keeping their direction aligned with the shape's outline. After filling the empty space between the stitches, you can start with the second row of stitches. Now, if I'm completely honest, I lose the sense of which stitch is short and which one is long, quite soon after that. So I just vary the length of my stitches and vary the place where they come out from the previous row. If one stitch started lower, I start the other stitch higher, and so on. This is the longest that I allow myself to make the stitches in such cases. The shape didn't reach the main curve yet and is still pretty straight, so I can slack off a little bit and make the stitches longer. Also, don't forget to keep your stitching dense. Currently, there are definitely more stitches here than there were at the beginning point. As you reach the curve, make your stitches shorter. Look carefully at my stitches here and imagine that they are continued longer and longer. If you do that, you will realize that they actually would bump into the outline. That's why we make them shorter. The other rows of stitches will soften the “straightness” and will create an illusion of bending stitches. We are on a finishing line here. The shape is narrowing down and the number of stitches we use to fill it at this part is decreasing, but we still need to maintain the same density. And so, this is the final result. By the way, this is a new design I'm currently working on! It is going to feature a lot of long and short stitch and color blending so it is going to be a GREAT practice for you! :) Hope this post was helpful! Check out the other Needlepainting tips to master it better :)

21 Websites with cute and free hand embroidery patterns. More than 21 free embroidery patterns to download and make today! Easy, beginner friendly hand embroidery designs to learn new stitches and make beautiful hoop art. DIY embroidery pattern freebies for beginners. Floral hand embroidery designs for hoops and decor. 21 Beautiful embroidery patterns to download for free.

These wide leg jeans feature a classic five-pocket style and comfortable fit around the hips. Crafted with a front fly for easy dressing, these timeless jeans can be tailored to fit perfectly with …

If you're a beginner and looking for some fun and easy patterns, check out our 17 fun projects that are a perfect way to learn embroidery.

Learn how to sew the blanket stitch including all of those important steps like, how to use the blanket stitch around corners and how to neatly change thread during the blanket stitch!

Discover the joy of easy lounging and simple sewing with The Marisol Jumper Free Sewing Pattern! This one-piece jumper is a light-weight sensation that

Looking for hand embroidery stitches for lines or letters? Find 8 stitch tutorials and their pro's and con's in this article.

If you've always wanted to learn embroidery stitches, here's the perfect guide for you. I have a video tutorial for each embroidery stitch.

After what seems like ages I have picked up some cross stitch and it feels so good to be stitching again! The trigger that got me started again was that my absolute favourite cross stitch designers…

Over 30 free cross stitch tools, including calculators, color guides, size charts, etc

Also known as: bullion stitch, caterpillar stitch, coil stitch, knot stitch, post stitch, worm stitch, Puerto Rico rose, grub knot This is an interesting stitch used to make simple motifs. I would say that this is an ‘elongated’ knot which can be...

Check out Amigurumi LiL’ Grim, knitting models and examples now and start making. Free amigurumi patterns for you.

Also known as: Hungarian Braided Chain Stitch The braided chain stitch is worked almost the same way as the heavy chain stitch. There is only…

How to make a sewing pattern bigger or smaller - sewing pattern grading - make a sewing pattern a different size

Securing thread on the backside can't be avoided in hand embroidery. These tips will help you to end embroidery stitches in a safe way.

Download and print these 10 free sewing patterns pdf files and get started creating the handmade closet your excited about. Each womens design...

November is coming to an end, so it's time for a lil freebie to make this month a bit more exciting ^^. This time it's the Grace embroidery design that you might already be familiar with from my previous posts. I'm excited to share not only the pattern and stitches I used but also a bit of guidance and tips. Hopefully, it will make the stitching process easier for you! This design features 3 key elements: Rope-looking lines and outlines for the leaves Filling of the leaves Lettering Lines All of the lines are worked in stem stitch. You can see some additional tips on stem stitch in the following posts: Changing direction of stem stitch and the 6 faces of stem stitch. Long story short, as you are stem stitching, keep bringing your needle up to the left of your stitches. This will help you achieve the “rope” appearance of your stem stitch. Given that the direction of lines keeps changing throughout the whole pattern, be careful to not mix up the sides of where the needle should come up. If you are confused, rotate the hoop or embroidery frame so that the line faces upwards and make sure the needle comes up to the left of the line. When I stitched I worked the outline in portions. Let's say I completed 25% of outline first, then filled in some of the leaves, then worked the next 25% of outline and so forth. It helped me to keep a steady path. But, of course, it might be more convenient for you to work it in another way. Maybe you'd like to complete all of the outlines first and only then fill in the leaves. It's completely fine! Decide for yourself the order of working this embroidery pattern and work it in the way that makes you comfortable! I used two strands of floss for the box around the word GRACE, and one strand of floss for the rest of the lines. It made the plant motif look finer and helped the box to stand out. Leaves All of the leaves are filled with the fishbone stitch after the outline is already complete. The leaves are not always conveniently “straight” and with even edges. Their form changes here and there and sometimes they are not complete or cross with other leaves. So, yes, although the fishbone stitch itself is quite easy to pick up on, this design might still present a challenge. As a result, it will be an excellent practice of fishbone stitch for you ;) The order of working the leaves can be whatever you want. Just like with outlining I did it in portions, but it is possible to fill all the leaves with one shade of floss first, and then another and so on. I used two strands of floss when I embroidered the leaves in this pattern. Also, in some places leaves “fold”. These small areas are worked by satin stitch using one strand of floss in the needle. I didn't do any padding here. Just stitched the outline the same way as the areas of the plant motif and covered the “foldings” with parallel satin stitches. Lettering I used an easy and quick approach to lettering for this design. Take two strands of floss and outline a letter in back stitch first. Then “wrap” the letters in satin stitch. Because the letters are not that big and we use two strands of floss, there is no need for any padding. The letters look dimensional enough and pop out of the fabric surface. That's pretty much it. In case you have any questions left, you're always welcome to leave them in the comments below or send me a DM through the contact form :) DOWNLOAD THE FREE PATTERN HERE Have a nice stitching!