A Floral Embroidery Hoop

What you will learn

• Planning a composition
• Seven stitches in one piece
• Finishing the back of a hoop

Materials and tools

• 6 in (15 cm) wooden embroidery hoop
• Cotton or linen, 10 in (25 cm) square
• Embroidery needles size 5 and 7
• Floss: two pinks, a yellow, two greens, a lavender
• Water-soluble pen
• Strong sewing thread for the back
• Felt circle for backing (optional)

Template

1. Draw a circle 3.5 in (9 cm) across in the centre of the fabric. Mark four rose positions, two daisy positions and leaf positions between them, as on the template.
2. Hoop the fabric tightly. You will leave it in this hoop.
3. Vine: stem stitch round the circle in the darker green, 3 strands, skipping the rose positions.
4. Roses: work a woven wheel at each large dot, about 5/8 in (1.5 cm) across, in pink.
5. Daisies: work six-petal lazy daisies in lavender with a yellow French knot centre.
6. Leaves: add pairs of lazy daisy leaves and a few fly-stitch sprigs in the lighter green along the vine.
7. Fill gaps with small clusters of French knots.
8. Rinse out the pen, dry, and re-hoop with the design centred and the screw at the top.
9. Trim the fabric to 1 in (2.5 cm) beyond the hoop. Sew a running stitch round the edge with strong thread, pull to gather it behind the hoop, and knot.
10. Optional: whipstitch a felt circle over the back to cover the gathers.

Tips for a neat result

• Stitch the vine first, then the largest flowers, then fill in. It is easier to balance.
• An odd number of large flowers usually looks more natural than a symmetrical layout.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• Fabric is taut and the design is centred.
• The back is gathered flat inside the hoop.

Finishing and care

• Dust with a soft brush. Keep out of direct sun.
• To wash, remove from the hoop, hand-wash cool, dry flat and remount.