Fern stitch wreath hoop

Clare Albans — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 09:55:08 +0000

In week 5 of The Happy Stitch Project we’re learning fern stitch. This is the first new stitch that I’ve learnt for the project, and I’ve designed this fern stitch wreath hoop for you to create something simple but beautiful. Add your own text or design in the centre to customise it!

I actually really loved stitching this stitch. It’s simple, but really effective! I can see myself using it in lots of designs, and it even features in my new hand embroidery kit too. Yay! I stitched this up in no time in a 10cm (4″) hoop, but you could easily make this much bigger if you wanted to. The templates for a 12cm (5″) and a 15cm (6″) are included in this week’s newsletter for subscribers. Sign up in the footer if you don’t want to miss out!

Fern stitch wreath hoop: materials list

10cm (4″) embroidery hoop

Some white linen fabric, roughly 18×18 cm (pre-ironed)

Wreath template (click here to download)

An aqua trick marker, or your preferred method of design transfer

Needle and thread (I’m using DMC 701 here)

Small sharp scissors, plus large ones to finish the back

White perle thread

Watch the tutorial video on YouTube!

The full tutorial project for this hoop is available on YouTube – written instructions can be found below. You can also watch the fern stitch tutorial here.

Step 1

Take your template, and secure it to a flat surface with some tape. Place your fabric on top, making sure it is in the centre, and use your aqua trick marker (or similar) to trace over the design.

Step 2

Place the fabric in the hoop and tighten the screw. Thread your needle with some of your thread (I am using 4 strands here), and then starting at the top, stitch a horizontal stitch………….

Step 3

Repeat these fern stitches all the way around the hoop, until the design is completely covered. Add your own design in the centre at this point if you wish – see the ‘Make it your own’ section below for some ideas.

Step 4

Reposition the fabric in the hoop if not quite central, and then tighten the screw at the top. Remove any unwanted pen lines with the water pen.

Step 5

Finish the back of your hoop as desired – the video shows you how I like to do this but you can do it any way you like!

Make it your own

I love to make suggestions for how to make projects your own! Each project in my book, Colourful Fun Embroidery, has a section to do this. Embroidery is a really personal thing, as is any handmade item, and it just makes it personal to you. Here are some suggestions for this hoop:

Stitch the leaves in a different shade or shades of green – simply thread the different colours through the back (a bit like I did in the link stitch geo hoop with the French knots)
Stitch a floral design in the middle, or include some flowers in the wreath itself
Include a quote or a name in the centre – use an air erasable pen for shorter text that can be stitched quickly. You could even use the text from the sprinkles hoop in week 1 (if you print the templates slightly smaller!)

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Fern stitch wreath hoop