Yesterday I was inspired by a decorative charger plate that I saw at a store. Since then it has been transformed into a beautiful finished project! Yes, I finished it in less than 24 hours! I know, I am really surprised too! You may not get yours completed quite so quickly, but here are the step by step instructions that I promised.
1. Transfer the design to your fabric either by tracing or using a transfer medium such as Stick n Stitch. (Available on my website.)
2. Embroider using one strand of Valdani 12 weight perle cotton. (If you prefer you may substitute 2 strands of embroidery floss.) I used 4 different colors: Black, H202, O217, and O510. (these are also available on my website.)
3. Trim away any excess transfer medium around the design, and wash the remaining transfer medium away in a sink full of tap water.
4. After removing the transfer medium, spread the wet fabric out on your kitchen counter or other smooth surface. The water will make the fabric "stick" to the countertop and actually block the fabric as it dries. I usually do this in the evening so it can dry overnight while no one is in the kitchen making a mess.
5. When you get up in the morning the fabric has dried and is ready to be pressed and trimmed to the final size, or embellished further by adding beads, charms or coloring with crayons.
6. I chose to color the pumpkins in this design using regular Crayola crayons. Color them as desired, then heat set using a hot iron. Be sure to use a pressing cloth or paper towels between the iron and the colored fabric so you don't damage your iron or ironing surface.
7. Trim batting to fit the cardboard circle that you will mount your design on. I used 2 layers of batting.
8. Glue batting to cardboard.
9. Trim fabric to a circle that is at least 4" wider than the cardboard circle. (2 inches on each side.)
10. Fold fabric to the wrong side approximately 1/4" and gather using strong thread. I used some of the black perle cotton.
11. Wrap completed fabric circle around cardboard circle so the batting is under the embroidery and the gathers are evenly spaced. Tie off the gathering thread.
12. Choose your desired fabric for the ruffle. Cut strips and sew together end to end on a diagonal. Trim excess at seams and press seams open.
13. Fold ruffle lengthwise wrong sides together, and press. Gather along raw edge.
14. If you are choosing to add the rick rack as well as the ruffle, attach rick rack to embroidery so that it extends about halfway around the outside edge. Stitch in place.
My images show the rick rack being added after the ruffle - that's what happens when a design evolves...
15. Pin ruffle to the back of the circle, so it extends evenly on all sides and the gathers are evenly distributed. Stitch in place.
16. Glue completed embroidery to the center of the charger. Place several heavy books on top to apply pressure until the glue dries. (I used Tacky Glue.)
17. Your finished embroidery is now ready to be displayed on a plate stand or hung on the wall using an adhesive picture hanger.
1. Transfer the design to your fabric either by tracing or using a transfer medium such as Stick n Stitch. (Available on my website.)
2. Embroider using one strand of Valdani 12 weight perle cotton. (If you prefer you may substitute 2 strands of embroidery floss.) I used 4 different colors: Black, H202, O217, and O510. (these are also available on my website.)
3. Trim away any excess transfer medium around the design, and wash the remaining transfer medium away in a sink full of tap water.
4. After removing the transfer medium, spread the wet fabric out on your kitchen counter or other smooth surface. The water will make the fabric "stick" to the countertop and actually block the fabric as it dries. I usually do this in the evening so it can dry overnight while no one is in the kitchen making a mess.
5. When you get up in the morning the fabric has dried and is ready to be pressed and trimmed to the final size, or embellished further by adding beads, charms or coloring with crayons.
6. I chose to color the pumpkins in this design using regular Crayola crayons. Color them as desired, then heat set using a hot iron. Be sure to use a pressing cloth or paper towels between the iron and the colored fabric so you don't damage your iron or ironing surface.
7. Trim batting to fit the cardboard circle that you will mount your design on. I used 2 layers of batting.
8. Glue batting to cardboard.
9. Trim fabric to a circle that is at least 4" wider than the cardboard circle. (2 inches on each side.)
10. Fold fabric to the wrong side approximately 1/4" and gather using strong thread. I used some of the black perle cotton.
11. Wrap completed fabric circle around cardboard circle so the batting is under the embroidery and the gathers are evenly spaced. Tie off the gathering thread.
12. Choose your desired fabric for the ruffle. Cut strips and sew together end to end on a diagonal. Trim excess at seams and press seams open.
13. Fold ruffle lengthwise wrong sides together, and press. Gather along raw edge.
14. If you are choosing to add the rick rack as well as the ruffle, attach rick rack to embroidery so that it extends about halfway around the outside edge. Stitch in place.
My images show the rick rack being added after the ruffle - that's what happens when a design evolves...
15. Pin ruffle to the back of the circle, so it extends evenly on all sides and the gathers are evenly distributed. Stitch in place.
16. Glue completed embroidery to the center of the charger. Place several heavy books on top to apply pressure until the glue dries. (I used Tacky Glue.)
17. Your finished embroidery is now ready to be displayed on a plate stand or hung on the wall using an adhesive picture hanger.
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