Pattern Tips
Welcome to the Pattern Tips page! Here you’ll find helpful resources and tutorials for how to finish your project! Please email kkulper@gmail.com with any questions!
Supplies
Thread: DMC, Anchor, or Cosmo six-strand cotton embroidery floss. For storage, I like these plastic bobbins. Make sure you write down the color code before you unravel the skein. If you're having trouble threading your needle, try a needle threader.
Hoop: We used basic bamboo hoops in class, made by Caydo. Here’s a link to a variety of their sizes. I personally use hoops made by ACMS. They’re beautiful and can be fitted into hoop frames. They can be slippery, so I always wrap my hoops in athletic tape before stitching
Fabric: We used this white canvas fabric. The fabric I usually use for my colored projects is a cotton-linen blend from Robert Kaufman’s Essex line.
Needles: We used standard embroidery needles, usually in size 5 or 7. Good manufacturers are DMC and Bohin. The needle I use is by Tulip and is a Milliner’s needle in Size 7.
Pattern-making: The water-soluble pattern paper we used is called Sticky Fabri-Solvy by Sulky. I made all your patterns with my iPad using Procreate. To draw patterns onto fabric, you can use a water-soluble marker or a heat-erasable pen.
Hoop stand and accessories: Highly recommend a nice hoop holder, either this tabletop version like I used in class or a floor version I use in my studio. It helps to glue a magnet to it for needle storage or you can get a needle minder.
Good lighting: I use this craft light while I work and it’s very helpful to avoid eye strain.
Finishing your PiecE
If you’re not keeping your project in a hoop
1. Remove the hoop entirely
2. Soak your pattern in lukewarm water for about an hour
3. Rinse the pattern paper out with running water and gently blot with a clean towel
4. Lay flat to dry and repeat soaking and washing if necessary
If your piece is in a hoop
1. Trim the corners of your fabric so that you have a 1” edge around your hoop
2. Using two strands of floss, stitch a running stitch around the edge of your fabric
3. Pull on the knotted end of the floss, gathering the fabric together, and tie the ends together
4. Remove the outer hoop
5. Place your hoop, front side down, in a bowl of lukewarm water and let soak for about an hour
6. Rinse the pattern paper out with running water and gently blot with a clean towel
7. Let dry. Repeat soaking and washing if threads feel stiff or sticky
8. Replace outer hoop
Video tutorials
How to separate embroidery floss
How to make a simple embroidery knot