Note to viewers: We apologize for the absence of instructions for Brett Bara's embroidered portrait and Sterling Donahey's embroidered baby onesie. We have included all the instructions that were provided to us by the guests on this episode of Uncommon Threads.Transferring an Image to Fabric
1. Make a photocopy of the portrait you want to use so that you can adjust the size, if desired, and work with the image without worrying about damaging the photo.
2. Place the photocopied image over tracing paper, and place the fabric you'll be embroidering under this. Using a pencil, trace along the outlines of the photo until you have transferred the image to the fabric.
3. You can be as elaborate or as minimalist as you like with your portrait. Start by tracing the main lines using a straight stitch and black thread. Then fill in as much of the image as you want using a variety of stitch patterns, as if you were painting the image or coloring it in with pencils. Feel free to get funky with the stitch patterns to add texture and interest.
4. If you're short on time or patience, make a simplified portrait by just stitching the outline. For impact, play around with the color of the background fabric and thread: a dark background and light thread looks striking for a silhouette.
Next, Jolene Bouchon's Embroidered Heart Pillow.
