|
How to Use Free Patterns
Click here for a printable PDF version of these directions.
What to do with this free pattern? I’m so glad you asked...
Reduce or Enlarge pattern as necessary to accomodate your project.
Reduce pattern and use for punch needle embroidery, or enlarge for rug hooking.
Use for machine or hand appliqué, or for wool appliqué. Use cotton floss or wool thread to embroider details.
Trace the pattern onto watercolor paper, paint it with watercolors or acrylic paint, and make it into a charming handmade card. Or you can mat and frame it to adorn your nest...
Trace pattern onto a piece of shrinkable plastic, color with pencils, cut out, punch a hole, bake and make it into an ornament or a charm for your latest jewelry creation...
Transfer the pattern onto flea market & yard sale finds, paint with acrylic or enamel paints for a one-of-a-kind treasure...
Transfer design to a Tshirt, jeans, skirt, apron, purse.... Paint and embroider design as described below in “Make a Stitchery” directions...
Make A Stitchery– Cut a piece of cotton fabric, such as muslin, large enough to fit your pattern, plus a few inches bigger to fit into an embroidery hoop. Using a light box or window, trace the pattern onto the fabric with a pencil or a very fine point permanent marker (such as Pigma Micron.)
Place fabric in embroidery hoop (fabric should be as taut as possible, but be careful not to stretch or distort it.) Put small drop of acrylic paint on a palette (such as a paper plate). Using an old paint brush or stencil brush, pick up a tiny amount on just the tips of the brush bristles. Rub out most of paint onto a paper towel until the brush is almost dry, then lightly apply to design. (It’s a good idea to practice on a piece of scrap muslin first). There should just be just a tint of color on the muslin, not a solid coat of paint. The key to paint application is to just use a tiny bit of paint with a dry brush. Repeat with other colors in other areas of pattern if desired. Paint should dry almost immediately, use a hair dryer to speed it up if you’d like.
For the embroidery, use 2 or 3 strands of cotton embroidery floss to backstitch the outline and detail of the design. Use 2 to 4 strands for French knots.
You can also make the embroidery "redwork" style by omitting the painting step and choosing one color of floss to backstitch the entire design.
Use your design to make a pillow, wall hanging or table runner, appliqué onto clothing, as a quilt block, a photo album or scrapbook cover... Add buttons and trim as desired to make it all your own.
|
