Strawberry season is here! After the delicious Strawberry Mousse recipe, it was only the natural step to try and embroider a cute strawberry jar cover. Ok, maybe learning how to prepare the marmalade would have been better, but until then, I want to show you how to stitch this cute strawberry using only straight stitches.
This cute little project can be a great start if you’re looking to learn the needle painting technique. Although is a very small project, it uses kind of the same approach.
If you’re into the needle painting technique and keen to take on more complicated projects, then you can check my complete guide on how to paint with thread and learn everything you need to know about the technique.
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DOWNLOAD THE FREE STRAWBERRY PATTERN
If you’d like to try this easy pattern, you can download it 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.
TRANSFER THE PATTERN THE EASY WAY
There are so many ways to embroider a strawberry and even more ways of transferring the pattern onto the fabric. Washable pens, iron-on pens, carbon paper, the window method, and the list can go on and on. Well, forget about all of them!
If you’re looking for the easiest, fastest way to transfer patterns then the self-adhesive water soluble stabilizer is going to make your life so much easier. I used Sticky Fabri-Solvy from the Sulky brand, which I absolutely love.
One of the reasons I love this method so much, is that instead of transferring patterns, I can focus and spend more time doing what I love – the actual stitching.
Note: The only downside of this method is that it can leave your needle slightly sticky.
I started by drawing the strawberry straight onto the stabilizer, then stick it onto my linen fabric. If you’re downloading the pattern, you can make it even easier, you can print it straight onto the stabilizer. The Sulky brand also comes in printable A4 sheets. Just amazing!
EMBROIDER THE STRAWBERRY USING IRREGULAR STRAIGHT STITCHES
When stitching the strawberry I was looking for a very natural outcome, and to be honest I didn’t really think it through too much. I just used four red shades, working with only 2 strands of thread, and filled the strawberry with irregular straight stitches.
The outcome? Exactly what I was hoping for. A natural-looking strawberry, easy to stitch, with a natural texture, just perfect for my marmalade jar.
Start by filling the strawberry using DMC 498, the darkest shade of red. Don’t outline the shape before, just use irregular straight stitches and fill the areas where you want your shades to sit.
Next, introduce a slightly lighter shade of red – the DMC 350. Notice how I left enough space for my next 2 shades. That area will be filled with the lightest shades, that’s where I imagined the light would hit my shape.
Using DMC 351 fill the shape with more irregular straight stitches leaving a bit of space for the lightest shade. Don’t forget, your stitches should follow the natural direction of a strawberry.
Lastly, add the highlights using the lightest shade from the same color family – DMC 352. Don’t worry if it looks a bit messy, this is the kind of project where messy is good. The irregular straight stitches will create that nice natural texture we’re after.
When stitching the leaves follow the same process. Fill in the bottoms of each leaf using the darkest shade, fill the rest with medium green, and right at the end, add a few highlights using the lightest shade. Stitch the leaves at an angle, following their natural direction.
Using DMC 936, stitch the first row of irregular straight stitches.
Fill in the rest with DMC 469.
Add a few straight stitches at the top of each leaf, using the lightest shade of green – DMC 471.
For the final yellow details, use DMC 677 to stitch random straight stitches all over the strawberry.
REMOVE THE WATER-SOLUBLE STABILIZER
Once stitching is completed, the stabilizer removal can’t be easier. Carefully cut away the excess Sticky Fabri-Solvy.
Remove the remains by agitating the project in warm water for 2-3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
Air dry your project. If any stiffness remains after it’s dry, simply repeat the process.
I really hope you enjoyed stitching with me this cute pattern and please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Remember that you can download this 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.
SIMILAR HAND EMBROIDERY PROJECTS
- Floral Alphabet: Stitching the Leave
- How to Embroider Letters
- Floral Alphabet: Stitching the Flower
- Cherry Blossom Free Embroidery Pattern
- Hand Embroidery Supplies Essential for Beginners
Did you try this pattern? Come over to our Facebook Group and show everyone your magic!
SAVE THIS FOR LATER? ADD THE STRAWBERRY TUTORIAL TO YOUR FAVOURITE PINTEREST BOARD
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