DIY Hand Embroidery Motif – Fairy Cottage

Hi everyone!

As promised, here is another embroidery project featuring the Stem/Outline Stitch!

IMG_9253Supplies:

  • Doodle Stitching: The Motif Collection by Aimee Ray (get it here)
  • Embroidery floss
  • Embroidery hoop (7 inch)
  • Fabric
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Sharpie
  • Needle

IMG_9256DMC Floss Colors:

  • 704 – green
  • 747 – light blue
  • 996 – blue
  • 3705 – dark coraly pink
  • 3706 – medium coraly pink
  • 3770 – very light peach
IMG_9250
Design courtesy of Doodle Stitching

This is the cottage motif we will be using!

Feel free to switch up your thread colors!  I did (a little bit!)

IMG_9262Start by printing out the design and tracing over it with a Sharpie.  I like to use the Ultra Fine Point.

IMG_9263Use a pencil to trace the design onto your fabric.

I went with a white fabric with a (kind of) subtle abstract, floral pattern on it.  Throughout the project, I had a love/hate relationship with my fabric.  This fabric has a thicker weave than I’m used to and can be a little distracting.  I got over it though and am satisfied with the final product! (Which you will see in a few minutes!)

IMG_9268Start with the blue floss and Back Stitch the walls of the cottage.

IMG_9270Here comes the Stem/Outline Stitch!

My thread pulled a little on the right swirly.  I had to go back and tuck it back in.

IMG_9273I chose to stitch the stems over the blue, because in reality, the flowers would be on the outside of the house.

IMG_9276Continue on across the side of the house.

IMG_9280Use the darker, coral thread to Back Stitch the heart.

IMG_9281Now, comes the hardest part!

Use the Stem/Outline Stitch for the scalloped rooftop.

IMG_9290This rooftop took the longest amount of time!

IMG_9297I can’t tell you how many times I stabbed my left thumb with my needle while stitching this! 🙁

Because my fabric was so thick, I had to push with my right hand (which ended up bruising) and pull with my left.

IMG_9298After one too many stabs to the thumb, I took a break from the rooftop and stitched the curtains.

I used the medium coral for this part.

IMG_9303Use the light blue thread and the Back Stitch for the window.

IMG_9308Continuing with the Back Stitch, use the light peach thread for the door.

IMG_9310We’re going to Satin Stitch the doorknob, but before doing that, we’re going to Back Stitch the outline.

My Granny told my Mom (who told me) that this is the easiest way to do the Satin Stitch.

IMG_9313Now, Satin Stitch over the doorknob outline.

IMG_9315Moving onto the window frame.

Continue with the Back Stitch.

IMG_9318I tried my best to center the vertical stitches as much as possible.

IMG_9321Now, finish up the outer window frame.

IMG_9323Using the medium coral, Back Stitch every other “flower.”

IMG_9330I apologize for randomly skipping around.  I don’t know what I was doing!

Again with the light peach and the Back Stitch, create the chimney.

IMG_9335Now, we’re going back to the rooftop!IMG_9337The hardest part of stitching the rooftop was lining up the first and last stitch to make it look seamless.  I stitched it five times before I was satisfied!  Can you tell?!

IMG_9340Back to the flowers!

Finish up the medium coral flower on the right of the door, and then stitch the remaining three with the darker coral thread.

IMG_9345Once the flowers are complete, you are done!

IMG_9349So cute! I absolutely LOVE the way this turned out!

There are quite a few fairy motifs in the Doodle Stitching book.  I’ll probably do another one soon!

Happy Crafting!!

Bow signature pink

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