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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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