In today’s tutorial, we’ll be creating an easy spooky gift you can use to spread some cheer and create a sense of community during the Halloween season. This is a twist on the “You’ve been booed” Halloween tradition, and includes a free embroidery pattern and printable tags.
Make sure to take a look at a couple more free Halloween embroidery patterns. Check out this easy ghost pattern and this spooky ghost to add some extra spook to your collection.
Disclaimer: This post might contain some affiliate links, you can find my full Disclosure Policy here.
The Halloween “You’ve Been Booed” Tradition
I discovered this cute tradition when we moved to Northern Ireland, and my daughter absolutely adores it. Every year, we make an effort to continue the tradition.
It’s a wonderful way to bring happiness to your community and engage your children in the joy of giving.
How to “Boo” Someone?
If you never heard of the tradition before here’s how it works.
Fill up a gift basket with Halloween sweets, cookies, or other small gifts you think your neighbor will like. To make it extra special, stitch the cute Halloween embroidery pattern below (it won’t take you more than 1-2 hours) and add it to your other small gifts.
Print all three “You’ve been booed” tags below and add them to the gift basket.
Leave the basket on the porch of the neighbor you are Booing, ring the doorbell and run, so they don’t know who the gift is from.
When they open the door they’ll be in for a treat, sure to bring a big smile to their face!
Now it’s their turn to Boo someone else. The tags you included in their basket will tell them exactly what to do next – they’ll have to make copies and print the tags, prepare a small gift, and boo someone else.
There’s also a “We’ve Been Booed” tag which they can hang on their door so others will know that they’ve already been Booed.
You can include a few copies of all of these tags in their basket, not everyone has access to a printer. This would make it easier for them to pass the tradition on!
Download here: You’ve Been Booed Free Printable Tags
Project Overview
PROJECT SIZE: approx. 11x7cm (4.3×2.7in)
STITCHES USED: back stitch, stem stitch, satin stitch, french knot, and straight stitch
I stitched this pattern on a 4-inch hoop, it’s tiny and even cuter as a small Halloween decoration. If you feel the person you’re Booing might like something different you can choose another pattern from the free projects.
It all depends on how much time you want to spend stitching this handmade gift.
This cute ghost pattern uses a few stitches, but they’re all beginner stitches. Honestly, it’s super easy to stitch and shouldn’t take you more than 1-2 hours to complete.
Tools and Materials
For this project, you’ll only need the usual tools and materials. If you like to stitch it in a bigger hoop or use a different color palette, go ahead.
Just resize the pattern when printing it and use the hoop size you like.
MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED
- Halloween pattern – download from my Free Pattern Library
- Linen, linen blend, or cotton fabric
- Embroidery needle Milliners size 3
- Stranded cotton embroidery thread
- Embroidery hoop size 4”
- Washable Transfer Pen
- Sharp Scissors
Download the Free Pattern
Download the Halloween pattern from my Free Pattern Library.
To get access to the Free Pattern Library fill out the form below and I will send you an email with your password. You can read more about my Free Pattern Library here.
The pattern you have downloaded is full size, so when printed on A4 paper will have the exact size to fit into a 4-inch hoop. You just need to have the Fill Entire Paper option selected.
NOTE: If you don’t have access to a printer, you can just trace the pattern directly from your monitor onto A4 paper, then trace it onto your fabric.
Transferring the Pattern
To transfer patterns manually you can use a lightbox or a window.
- Print your pattern: If you don’t have access to a printer, you can trace the pattern onto a piece of tracing/baking paper.
- Plugin and turn on the lightbox: Place the printed pattern on the lightbox, then place your fabric on top of the printed pattern. If you don’t have access to a lightbox, place the printed pattern over a window and secure it with masking tape, then place the fabric on top of it and secure again.
- Secure the fabric: Secure your fabric with masking tape.
- Trace the pattern: Trace over the pattern’s lines with the tool of your choice. You can use a washable tracing pen or a very fine-tip pigment liner (0.05 or 0.1).
Stitching the Ghost
Stem Stitch – 6 strands of thread in DMC Blanc (White).
We’ll stitch the “scary” ghost in stem stitch using all six strands of thread. As a reminder when working the stem stitch, your loop should always be below the needle.
Start by coming up from the back and insert the needle down one stitch length. While holding the loop below the needle, return up about halfway down the line. Pull through while holding the thread below the needle.
If you are right-handed, same as me, follow the same left-to-right stitch direction. If you are left-handed, the stitch direction would be reversed – right to left.
When you reach the end, anchor the last stitch with a straight stitch on the front, and secure it with a knot on the back.
Stitching the Vine and Leaves
Back Stitch and Straight Stitch – 6 strands of thread in DMC 310 (Black).
We’ll be stitching the vines in back stitch, using all six strands of thread. While stitching the back stitch you might need to change the position of your hoop a few times.
Stitch the leaves with straight stitches using the same thread color and all six strands of thread.
Start from the top of the leaf, and end (go down) at the base of the leaf in the exact same spot each time.
Continue stitching the leaves with straight stitches until you complete the entire wreath.
Stitching the Eyes and Mouth
Satin Stitch and Straight Stitch – 6 strands of thread in DMC 310 (Black).
We’ll fill the small eyes with satin stitch. There is no need to outline before starting, just build up the satin stitch.
Do not worry if your satin stitch is not perfect, this is the pattern where you can get away with a messy outcome.
Stitch the tiny mouth with a few short straight stitches.
For the side lines, I stitched vertical straight stitches. For the tiny middle section, you can use a horizontal straight stitch if you find it difficult to stitch vertically.
We’ll add the small details using French knots. Follow the pattern and bring your needle up through the fabric where you want to place the first knot.
Wrap the thread around the needle twice. Hold the wrapped threads with the other hand. While maintaining the tension insert the needle back in the same spot you came up from.
Stitch the rest of the dots with French knots. To create smaller French knots, wrap the thread around the needle just once.
The Back of the Embroidery
Tidying up the back of your embroidered piece.
Start by cutting the excess fabric, leaving at least an inch allowance. To prevent the fabric from fraying you can use a zig-zag scissors.
Use 6 strands and make sure you have enough thread for the entire circle. Tie a knot at the end of your thread. Use a Running Stitch until you complete the full circle.
Leaving enough thread at the end, join the 2 ends together and tie another knot. Cut the excess thread and you’re done!
Your “You’ve Been Booed” handmade gift is ready to be gifted and bring some “spooky” season cheer!
Remember that you can download the Halloween pattern from the Free Pattern Library. To access it just fill out the form below and I will send you an email with your password.
More Embroidery Projects
- Embroidered French Knot Flower Bouquet
- Lavender Embroidery Free Pattern
- DIY Mother’s Day Gift Idea: Easy Embroidery Hoop
- 20 Free Halloween Embroidery Designs to Stitch This Season
- DIY Mistletoe Christmas Ornament
- Easy Snowflake Embroidery Pattern Tutorial
Did you try this project? Come over to our Facebook Group and show everyone your magic!
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