Embroider the Pillow Top

All embroidery is done with two strands of embroidery floss. To download the "I Love You" embroidery pattern, click on the link below. To make a full-size tracing guide, lay the tracing paper over the pattern and trace. Referring to the Embroidery Placement Diagram, also in the link below, rotate the tracing paper over the cherry wreath portion of the design to complete the full-size embroidery tracing guide.

Patterns

1. Fold the muslin 19 1/2"-square embroidery foundation in half vertically and horizontally. Lightly finger-press after each fold to create embroidery placement guides; unfold.

2. Place the embroidery tracing guide on a light table. Lay the embroidery foundation atop the embroidery tracing guide, aligning placement guides. Using an air- or water-soluble marking pen, trace the I Love You Embroidery Pattern onto the embroidery foundation.

3. Secure the embroidery foundation in an embroidery hoop. With red floss, stem-stitch the wreath.

 

To stem-stitch, pull your needle up at A (see diagram right). Insert your needle back into the fabric at B, about 1/4" away from A. Then, holding the floss out of the way, bring your needle back up at C and pull the floss through so it lies flat against the fabric. The distances between points A, B, and C should be equal. Pull with equal tautness after each stitch.

4. With ecru floss, stem-stitch the lettering "I Love You."

5. With ecru floss, add French knots to the lettering as shown on the pattern.

 

To make a French knot, pull your needle up at A (see diagram right), the point where the knot is desired. Wrap the floss around your needle one time without twisting it. Insert the tip of your needle into the fabric at B, 1/16" away from A. Gently push the wrap down the needle to meet the fabric. Pull your needle and trailing floss through the fabric slowly and smoothly.

6. Lay the embroidered foundation facedown on a terrycloth towel and press. (The towel prevents the stitches from getting flattened during pressing.) Trim the embroidered foundation to 18 1/2" square to make the embroidered pillow top.