There is so much going on with Back-to-School, I really wanted a craft to work on in the evenings. I finally decided to pull out some embroidery. If you haven’t tried your hand at embroidery, I highly recommend it! It doesn’t take many supplies to get started but adds a lovely personalized touch to anything from pillow cases to linen napkins. The simple act of stitching always relaxes me. Sitting down with a simple project like a tea towel not only gives me something I can finish quickly, but takes me back to my very first embroidery attempt.
My first attempt at embroidery was a 4-H project that I proudly took to our local Fair. I still remember the judge asking me why I chose certain stitches in my project. I had no idea at the time and didn’t know how to reply. Now I can proudly say that I choose whatever stitch I want. Luckily there is not right or wrong in embroidery. The same pattern can be stitched up 5 different ways by 5 different people. So your tea towel, even from the same pattern, may look much different than mine. And that is another reason why I enjoy embroidery so much.
Tea Towel Embroidery
So, are you ready to start stitching? The supplies required for this project are simple and inexpensive.
You Will Need:
- 1 tea towel
- iron on embroidery designs (I used “I LUV VEGGIES” from Sublime Stitching)
- iron
- 1 embroidery hoop
- embroidery floss in your choice of colors
- small scissors
Launder and iron your towel before pressing on the design. The Sublime Stitching patterns can be used multiple times. Just cut out the design you want to use and place it ink side down on the fabric. Being careful not to move the pattern while you iron, press it to the fabric without using steam. This pattern set also comes with a variety of funny faces and I picked out a few to put on my garlic, carrot and tomato.
For this towel I used the versatile backstitch to outline most of the pattern. The carrot top was done in the chain stitch to add a little texture. It does remind me of the soft green fronds currently growing off our carrot tops in the fields. To fill in the feet, lips and tongue I used the satin stitch.
After pressing my towel is now ready to be put to good use in the kitchen.
What would you embroider on a tea towel?
I just love embroidery, I think it really adds some fun personalization I embroidered our stockings last year and had so much fun with it! The faces on these veggies, I just can’t get enough! Thank you for being this week’s Featured Craft Blogger on The Brand Connection, your continued continued contribution is greatly appreciated!
How adorable – was that a design that can wash off? Most of the ones I have found leave a mark under my stitches and it drives me nuts!! Love how this goes in the kitchen!! Sharing this one!
This transfer is permanent. But, I just increase the threads I use per stitch. 2-4 strands usually works nicely. I like the permanent outline because it makes it easier for me to fix or re-stitch if necessary.
Very cute! I love embroidery but haven’t done it in years! This makes me want to pick it up again!
I love embroidery but have not done it for years. Yours remind me the good but “not-so-old” days when I learned embroidery in middle school from my teacher. LOL
I love this and my mom is looking for something similar for baby bibs