Learn how to take a picture and make it into the embroidery pattern. This embroidery tutorial will show you how to scan, trace, transfer and stitch.
Doing hand stitching and embroidery can be so rewarding. I find it relaxing and the perfect activity that you can take around wherever you are.
This embroidery tutorial will show you how you can make your own design and template with a picture. It’s super simple and a great way to customize an embroidery for your own home or for someone else.
How To Turn your Home into a Stitchery
–Embroidery Tutorial
1} Take a picture of your home. Digital if at all possible. Much easier, and the most immediately rewarding too.
2} Change the size to around 4 X 6 inches in size. You may choose to do a different size.
I used the good ol’fashioned PAINT program to do this. As shown below in a fuzzy shot of screen:
3} Print off picture in black and white –the size you would like. Oh ,isn’t my home just so cute! That is a cherry tree in the front there…yup, it’s a monster that keeps growing straight up even though we trim it.
4} Take a Sharpie marker and start drawing lines on all the major parts of the home + stuff around it. Like the roof, the chimney, the tree, the windows, doors….get the idea? Don’t make me list anymore. Now, like the paint program we can move things around. go ahead. no one will check. I didn’t include that 5 foot rosemary bush right under the tree.
5} Lay a blank white piece of paper on top of that sharpied black and white picture and put it on a light box. your arms will thank you later –you know, holding to the window-. Trace again. i know, but it will help! Just do it! If you look closely at this one and the finished product you will find some changes. There is a window in that big triangle that the tree was covering up! and i moved the sidewalk over so it was more ‘centered’.
6} Now is the time to get that tea towel, cotton, muslin or whatever you would like and trace the pattern again onto the fabric. I used a mechanical pencil. Easy.
7} Put into hoop and stitch. Stitch like there’s no tomorrow. I did add some ‘architectural’ details- like some shingles on the roof, some rock where the rock is, and some more round siding in the big triangle, and some lines on the windows. This helps take up big spaces, and makes them look a little better to the eyes. Don’t worry about getting everything in it. You won’t and it will look too crowded. Your mind does a great job of making some stuff up and it looking ok. So don’t worry about it. I mean look at that funky vine growing up the arbor on the left. whatever….
I have been thinking about this here stitchery and boy it has alot of possibilities….. great for grandma presents, even neighbor ones…..take pictures when they are gone or they will think you are nustoids, have a picture this party—everyone bring their own picture and you show then how to do it, oh, everyone is getting into framing their little things in HOOPS. Wouldn’t that just look cute?! You could also do some way cute boxing around it with some victorian type print for the date or year or established….or some vinework
So get out there and take a picture and imortalize your home.
So this one now hangs in the kitchen. Not sure if i want to use it or not yet.
I think that is the hardest thing about handmades. You want to use them, you want to make useful things, but sometimes it take someone else grabbing it with dirty hands and face and wiping all their cooties all over it to get you ok with it. (that didn’t happen, but i just know it will)
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
Follow me here: Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube
Julie says
That is dang cute. I am so going to do that!! You are so GOOD!!! Julie
kyles says
What a cute idea….I love it! I live in a house that's only two rooms wide, but very long at the front… maybe a table runner… laughs!
Karin says
That's really lovely. Cute idea!
Care says
cuuuuuuuuute!!!
kathi says
Simple yet brilliant. Thanks for the idea.
Melissa says
This is the CUTEST idea I have seen! Oh my gosh, I am so doing one for our house and I think I might sneak some pics of the family homes as well and start on some Christmas presents! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful idea!! 🙂
:o) mg says
Sheer genius. Thank you!!
jeannine says
Gorgeous! what a great idea for Christmas presents. LOVE IT LOVE IT!
Junie Moon says
This is such a wonderful project. I appreciate your sharing it with us and will give it a go.
MissesStitches says
What a great idea! I can't wait to try this. Thanks so much for explaining. I'll try to remember to post to your blog when I make one. Feel free to check out my blog, too.
Leslie says
I love this idea! So cute and special, too!
Angie says
Thank you so much for showing this idea! What a wonderful gift this would make! Sheer genius!
Best to you-
Storybook Woods says
Akkk, somehow my comment never made it, I am so sorry. Happy Tasha Tudor day (a little late) What a brilliant and Tasha Tudor idea. Thank you so much for joining in. Clarice
My 1st Bambina! says
Thanks for this wonderful tutorial !!!
Need to add this to my Handicraft to do list !!!
Pam says
I do like this idea…one can save money by using photos from magazines and such, especially if one is like me….not a drawer! Thanks for this wonderful idea!
drawing challenged…Pam
whosies says
i hadn't thought of using pictures from magazines before. that might open a whole new pandora box of cuteness!
whosies says
i hadn't thought of using pictures from magazines before. that might open a whole new pandora box of cuteness!
Susan says
You have given me many wonderful ideas!
Many thanks for all you’ve shared!
Teresa says
I know this tutorial is old, but I just found it and absolutely LOVE it, I need guidance, how do you get the drawing from the paper to the towell. I want to make these for gifts. Please let me know anyone if you have made this.
Pam Hunter says
I love this! May I repost on my blog?
I think I might even be able to do this … woot!!!
Karen says
Oh love Love LOVE this idea! I have so many possible ideas floating around in my head now. Will share when I get to it. (may be a few months away yet)
posse boss says
yay! that’s what it’s all about. do share when you have something sewn up!
Laurie says
what an awesome idea! I’m going to do this with my little cape cod!
posse boss says
oh my gosh that would be cool! you should show it off to me when you are done.
Roxanne says
This is SO what I needed to see. I’ve been looking for a handwork project to just help me decompress after teaching all day. . .also a wife and mom, so minutes are precious and few. I can’t wait to get this all set up and ready to go so I can start stitching away!!! Thanks for the great details and for sharing.
Jean Meadows says
Completely AMAZING~! I can’t wait to try it! What gifts! Memories from the mind~into the heart forever~!!!
Mildred says
My friend is having a house built. This would be a great house warming gift for her . I Love This!
Joan Sheppard says
I have always wanted to make a Christmas Tree skirt using red work of my Christmas Village. Thank you so much for the pattern. Absolute genius.
p. s. I always feel so sad for projects that don’t get used. They need love too! And those aren’t just hand prints, those are family hugs. These are towels, pillow cases, not religious icons. Go ahead. Use them. The family will thank you too.
Judy says
Hi Becky,
I actually did this several years ago. I thought of it on my own, so proud of myself. LOL
I made it for my daughter and her husband and included the date they bought the house. I don’t think she’s used it yet. I made a few others and she asked me which one was the easiest to make because she only wanted to use the one that could be “recreated” if need be! LOL
Thanks for making this tutorial, I am making another for a dear friend’s daughter’s wedding now.
I just love homemade gifts, I hope others do too!
Natalie Halliday says
I used your idea to make a bridal shower gift. The photo was of their first home. I added a tree in the foreground and put their initials in a heart. As though it was carved into the tree. Both the bride and groom were very moved. Thank you for sharing this project.