A Simple Embroidered Flower

What you will learn

• Combining stitches
• Following a traced design
• Finishing a piece

Materials and tools

• 5 in (13 cm) embroidery hoop
• Light cotton or linen, 8 in (20 cm) square
• Embroidery needle size 5 to 7
• Floss in a petal colour, a yellow and a green
• Water-soluble pen
• Embroidery scissors

Template

1. Trace the template onto the centre of the fabric: a dot for the centre, six petal lines each 3/4 in (2 cm) long, a gently curved stem 2 in (5 cm) long, and two leaf outlines.
2. Mount the fabric in the hoop, drum-tight.
3. Stem: with 3 strands of green, work stem stitch from the bottom of the stem up to the flower.
4. Leaves: with 2 strands of green, fill each leaf with satin stitch slanting toward the tip.
5. Petals: with 3 strands of the petal colour, work one lazy daisy stitch along each petal line, starting each at the centre.
6. Centre: with 3 strands of yellow, fill the centre with three to five French knots packed together.
7. Weave in all ends on the back. Rinse out the pen marks in cool water and dry flat.

Tips for a neat result

• Stitch the stem and leaves first so the petals sit on top where they meet.
• If a petal looks thin, add a single straight stitch down its middle.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• The fabric is flat with no puckers round the leaves.
• Knots are firm and petals are similar in size.

Finishing and care

• Rinse out any pen marks in cool water before the piece meets an iron. Heat can set some inks.
• Wash by hand in cool water with a little mild soap. Do not wring. Roll in a towel to remove water.
• Press face down on a folded towel so the stitches are not flattened, with the iron set for the fabric.