Hi, it’s great to be back! Wendy here from Sugarlane Designs. I’ve had such great feedback after my last contributor tutorial, I must say a HUGE Thank you to you all! I’m so glad you enjoyed my monogram tute…….today we’ll go a little bit further and delve into something a little different.
Before we do, if you haven’t yet read my last tutorial, here’s a little bit about me: I’m an avid stitcher and patchworker and I classify myself as a stitcher rather than an embroiderer as I don’t focus on the ‘fussier’ embroidery techniques but rather use basic stitches such as back stitch, satin stitch, blanket stitch, french or colonial knots, straight stitches and running stitches in my designs, just to name a few. I’m not a fan of stem stitch (only because I’m not very good at it but shhhhh…..don’t tell!) but I do use it on occasion. I LOOOVE featuring quotes, words and images or anything with ‘meaning’ that shares my love of the positives in this wonderful God-given world of ours, so I hope you’ll enjoy this and other tutorials I’ll be sharing with you over the course of the year.
Today I thought I’d show you how I add embellishments to my stitchery.
Because this is a new technique, I’ve added minimal embellishments, but once you get the hang of it, go gung-ho and add as much or as little as you like! On this cute stitchery, we’ll practice adding beads for texture, a little detail and interest as well as a ‘glammed-up’ embroidery hoop frame, perfect for any little (or big!) girl’s room.
Check out this post for the free Up, Up and Away Free Stitchery Pattern (it’s a free download!)
How to Sew a Bead in your Stitchery
I used one strand of this same thread to attach the 2 black beads for eyes and the 4 blue beads for buttons. Simply knot the end of the thread and bring it up from the back in the appropriate position, thread the needle through the bead (rather than trying to pick it up and put it on the needle) and stitch back down through the same hole the needle came up through.
Repeat two or three times, depending on how secure your stitches are. Make sure the bead is sitting ‘proud’ and not flat with the holes facing forward, so the effect of the bead can be seen. If the next bead is close by, with your thread travel along the back of your fabric and come up through to the next position. If not, knot off and start again. Repeat this with the smaller ‘button’ beads, however, you will only need to pass the thread through the bead once, or at most, twice before moving on to the next ‘button’.
Press the stitchery from the reverse side on a soft towel. Place the inner circle of the embroidery hoop on the back of the stitchery, centering the design. Using a Frixion pen, trace a line around the stitchery using the outside edge of the inner circle of the embroidery hoop. Trim to approximately 1 inch around the outside of this line.
Framing your design:
Place the inner circle of the embroidery hoop on the back of the cardboard. Using a pencil, trace a line around the outside edge of the inner circle of the embroidery hoop onto the cardboard. Carefully cut out the circle of cardboard and neaten the edge if necessary as this will become the backing board for your stitchery frame.
Cut two strips across the width of the pink/cranberry fabric, each 1 inch wide.
Using your microbrush or perhaps an earbud, dab some craft glue along the outside edge of the larger hoop. Starting from the screw end, begin to wind one of the strips of fabric around it. Continue dabbing glue and winding fabric, until the entire outside hoop is covered. You will need to brush some glue over the ends of the fabric to prevent it coming undone. Allow this to dry for a few minutes. Trim the excess fibres from the raw edges of the strips to neaten. *NOTE: you only need to cover the larger hoop with fabric. The inner hoop remains plain.
When the fabric has dried, position your stitchery within the fabric covered hoop and tighten the screw to tension. Again, use your microbrush to dab glue on the inside edge of the inner circle, easing and pressing the excess background fabric against it to hold.
Add a circle of glue to the back of the cardboard circle. Centre and press firmly against the back side of the hoop.
Tie the ribbon in a bow through the screw to hang your stitchery. I hope you have enjoyed making this for your special little someone!
Leave a comment below letting me know what you think? (please be kind now!?!) I will be back later this week with tips on how to individualise your stitcheries. In the meantime, find out more about me at my intro post and then come and visit me at my place, Sugarlane Designs. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
xox Sugary hugs :o)

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!
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I really enjoyed your post today. Thank you for sharing a wonderful tutorial and the cute design. I took a long break from stitching, for whatever reason, and am now getting back into hand embroidery. It really is an amazing hobby/craft and is also great at relieving stress. I hope that you have a wonderful creative day and I will be checking out your blog and pinterest.