Garden Wheelbarrow Embroidery

By Hilary Jane Cheshire

Have a go at this beautiful embroidery design using the Shadow Applique technique. Once stitched it can be framed or used as a centrepiece on a cushion cover or quilt.

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You will need:

  • One square of white cotton Fabric measuring 4 ½” x 4 ½”
  • One square of silk organza measuring 4 ½” x 4 ½”
  • One square of patterned fabric for the backing measuring 6” x 6”
  • Small piece of fabric for the wheelbarrow
  • A selection of embroidery threads. (For this embroidery I used one strand of embroidery thread).
  • 7 embroidery needle (John James is my preferred needle)
  • Tacking thread
  • Green and blue acrylic paint
  • Fabric Glue (optional)
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Preparing the fabrics for stitching

Step 1

Before starting the embroidery, I make a light wash using watered down green and blue acrylic paint to create sky and grass on the cotton fabric. Allow to dry.

Step 2

To make the wheelbarrow cut a small piece of darker fabric. The fabric can be held in place by using a small amount of fabric glue on the painted fabric.

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Steps to sew

Step 3

Tack fabrics together – Layer backing fabric, wrong side uppermost, white painted cotton and then silk organza.  Tack all layers together through the centre.

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Step 4

Start embroidery – Using a single strand of embroidery thread, stitch around the wheelbarrow shape using a small running stitch.  Following the picture stitch wheelbarrow handle and stand.  Now is time for you to be creative to make a beautiful wheelbarrow full of flowers.

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Step 5

To finish – Bring the edges of the background fabric over to the front. Turning the edges over twice.  Slip stitch fabric in place.  Your picture is now ready to mount in a frame.

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Further information

Hilary Jane is a textile artist and designer of quilts and embroideries.  She uses her designs in regular classes and bespoke workshops which are at present taught online. www.HilaryJanes.co.uk