I've got a super easy project to show you! I believe that this is for all skill levels as long as you know how to do a basic running stitch. Even if you don't, you can learn!
I'm going to make a felt monogram applique, framed in a wooden embroidery hoop to hang on the wall. These look really great mixed in with other hanging wall art. It makes a great gift, too!
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First, choose a nice font that will work well. Think about the thickness of all parts of the letter - you want to be able to cut this out of your felt! I downloaded Duality (free!) and think it works really well for this project. You want the font to be pretty clean and easy to cut out but also have a little bit of style to it!
Enlarge the letter to a nice size that will almost fill the frame or hoop that you plan to use. I even created a circle the size of my hoop so I could get an idea of what it would look like.
Print it out and then gather all of your tools.
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- Your paper letter
- paper scissors
- embroidery hoop or picture frame
- felt
- small fabric scissors
- a piece of cotton or other non-stretch fabric large enough to fit your hoop or frame
- embroidery floss to match your felt (or contrast, if you so choose!)
- a sewing needle
- double sided tape
Cut out your letter. This will be your template for cutting your felt.
Place double sided tape on the back of the letter. It helps the letter stay in place while we're cutting around it.
Stick the letter to the felt and carefully cut out the shape of the letter. The tape doesn't hold super strong, so still be sure to hold the paper letter to the felt as you cut.
Remove, and voila!
Secure your cotton fabric into the hoop and then place your felt letter in the center.
A pin or two will help keep the letter in place as you stitch!
Three strands of embroidery floss, folded in half and knotted, works really well for stitching around the letter. You can just use the full 6 threads of floss...but I like this technique better.
Using a running stitch, sew all the way around the edges of the letter. Try to sew about 1/8 of an inch from the edge.
You don't have to do this part, but I like to. It's a nice finishing touch.
Sand the squared edges of the hoop so they're smooth and rounded. It also helps to get any sticky parts off if there were stickers on the hoop. This hoop was from JoAnn's and had THREE obnoxious stickers on it. I am not fond of that and no longer buy my hoops from there! Create for Less has better hoops and they're my new favorite. They didn't pay me to say that (I wish they did, ha!). I just wanted to share a tip :).
I then used some paint (fabric paint, actually!) to stain the hoop black. I love how it looks with the black letter.
The final touch is to trim your fabric about 1/2 inch around the edge and glue it down to the inside of the inner hoop. Hot glue works best - fast and easy and sticks down in seconds.
Hang your awesome new monogram with other wall art. It really adds something to the collection!
