Materials
Soie Cristale 12 ply silk embroidery thread
- ___#5081 for holly leaves
- ___#2071 for ribbons
- ___#2073 for holly berries
- ___#10 crewel needles
- ___2 5" x 9" pieces of white linen fabric
- ___1 yard of 1/8" white double faced satin ribbon
- (Ribbon should be cut into 6 pieces--each measuring 6"
in length.)
- ___iron and ironing board
- ___spray starch
- ___tape measure
- ___straight pins
- ___Fray Check
- ___fine line water soluble marking pen
- ___5" embroidery hoop
- ___embroidery scissors
- ___paper scissors
- ___white sewing thread
- ___sewing machine
-
- Click Here for Pattern to print out
Instructions
Please read all instructions before beginning.
1. Lightly spray starch over the entire surface of each strip
of linen and iron dry. Zigzag stitch the raw edges of the fabric
(with white thread) on the sewing machine. Put one of the strips
aside until time to construct the sachet pouch.
2. Fold the remaining strip in half so that it measures 5"
x 4 1/2". Finger press the fold to create a crease.
3. Cut out the sachet pouch pattern along the designated lines.
Slide the pattern inside the folded fabric, making certain that
the fold line on the pattern and folded edge of the fabric are
properly aligned. Secure the pattern to the fabric with straight
pins. Trace the pattern markings (including the embroidery design)
onto the linen fabric with a fine line water soluble marking
pen.
4. Work the embroidery according to the instructions supplied.
Refer to the color picture of the project as necessary. Happy
Stitching!
* Special note to stitchers: Ellen's website contains a
resource page,The Embroiderer's Workbook, which uses photographic
illustrations that demonstrate how to do certain embroidery stitches.
To access that information go to http://www.heirloomembroidery.com
5. Fold the unembroidered strip of fabric in half so that
it measures 5" x 4 1/2". Finger press the fold to create
a crease.
6. Place the two 5" x 4 1/2" squares of fabric right
sides together. Align the edges and make certain that the folded
edges are matched. (The folded edges will serve as the finished
opening of the sachet pouch.) Pin the sides and bottom of the
pouch with straight pins. Machine stitch the sides and bottom
using a 1/2" seam allowance. Trim the seam down to 1/4"
and zigzag stitch the raw edges to prevent fraying. Turn the
pouch so that the embroidery is on the outside.
7. Treat both ends of each 6" length of ribbon with Fray
Check and allow to air dry.
8. Stitch the ribbon ties to the inside of the opening--3
on each side. Space the ties equal distances apart. (Refer to
the picture of the project, if necessary.)
9. Place the sachet pouch, embroidered side down, on a thick
terry towel. Spray lightly with starch, wait two minutes, and
iron carefully.
10. Fill the pouch with potpourri and tie the ribbons in tiny
bows to close. The ribbons may be trimmed if the streamers are
too long. (Remember to treat the ends of the ribbons with Fray
Check if the streamers are trimmed.) Empty the pouch when the
potpourri loses its fragrance and replace with a new batch.
***Traces of the (blue) water soluble marking pen may be removed
by moistening one end of a Q-tip swab with cool water; very lightly
and carefully dab (only) the affected areas with the damp Q-tip.
Take special care to avoid touching the silk thread with the
moist Q-tip. (Squeeze the excess water from the Q-tip to prevent
the dye in the silk thread from bleeding onto the fabric.)
Working the Embroidery
Shadow work embroidery is the technique used to stitch this
charming holiday project. Work all of the embroidery with two
strands of Soie Cristale threaded in a #10 crewel needle. Begin
by stitching the elegant red ribbons. Next, work the shiny green
holly leaves. Use a backstitch to form the vein down the center
of each holly leaf--after the shadow work embroidery of each
leaf has been completed. Finally, stitch the bright red holly
berries. As an alternative to stitching the shadow embroidered
holly berries, you may substitute 4 mm red onyx beads. These
are available at most fine needlework shops as Item # 290 from
Access Commodities.
Use a waste knot when beginning the embroidery. Make a knot
in the thread. Go down into the fabric at least two inches away
from the starting point; bring the needle up at the starting
point and begin stitching. Upon completing the stitching with
that thread, cut the waste knot off and pull the thread through
to the back of the fabric. Thread the short "tail"
into the needle and secure to the back of the embroidery using
three or four small loop knots.
About
Ellen Johnson
Ellen Johnson is the maven of an "Heirloom Cottage Industry."
When she made her mind up in January of this year, that she wanted
to publish her embroidery patterns, The Heirloom Embroidery Collection
was born. From that auspicious start came other ventures: developing
a needle collection, The Heirloom Embroidery Needle Collection,
and an instructional video tape series, The Heirloom Embroidery
NeedleArts Classroom. The first tape in this series was Embroidery
101, with the second, Beyond the Basics, to follow in January,
2000 along with an exclusive collection of linens, embellished
with designs from her line of embroidery patterns, The Heirloom
Embroidery Collection of Fine Linens. Ellen introduces you to
these and more on her fascinating website, http://www.heirloomembroidery.com,
specifically designed to be educational, enriching, inspiring
and entertaining.
Ellen Johnson works as a freelance designer, teacher and author.
Her project-based articles have appeared in publications including
Decorating Digest Craft and Home Projects, Creative Needle, Fancywork
and Handcraft Illustrated.
Ellen's patterns use a few basic embroidery stitches and techniques:
stem stitch, lazy daisy stitch, French knot, bullion stitch,
fly stitch, backstitch, and shadow work embroidery. She stresses:
"Beginners will find that the stitches I use are quite simple
when the appropriate tools are used...The combination of simple
stitches into intricate patterns makes the work look difficult,
but it is very easy to do."
Ellen's company mission statement says it all: "Our mission
is to produce a variety of aesthetically appealing needlework
projects which feature the following components: clear and concise
instructions, utilization of readily available materials, and
a useful / practical application." She is devoted to the
preservation and perpetuation of needlework as a fine art. Therefore,
it stands to reason that Ellen encourages stitchers to use only
the finest materials available, for if valuable time is to be
spent working on a project, the final product should be something
of which that stitcher can be proud. You will certainly experience
this pride in completing her class.
For more information contact Ellen Moore Johnson
- Fine Designs for Heirloom Treasures
- 3806 Somerset Place
- Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
- Phone: (205) 556- 9222
- Fax: (205) 556 - 4761
E mail: ellenjohnson@heirloomembroidery.com
Website: http://www.heirloomembroidery.com
