Day 3 :: Saints 'N Stitches "Tutorial" {Part 1}

Tips and Resources

The official tutorial on how to sew one of my pillow dolls is coming tomorrow… this part just has information and resources.

A few people have asked if I am offering any instructions on how to stitch the embroidery kits I'm selling in my Etsy shop. The fact of the matter is that they are each so different and kind of basic (and subject to my whim) that I really can't offer a set of instructions. My goal for these little kits was to offer an easy way for moms and daughters (and sons and fathers if they are so inclined) to have a little fun exploring a new craft with a saintly theme. I used these little designs to introduce my girls to embroidery at a very basic level. We called it "Coloring With Thread". They used a very simple running stitch and 3 strands of thread doubled up and knotted at the bottom. (I always use 2-3 strands doubled and knotted together. It's the way my grandma taught me and Grandma was always right.)

Some of first ones...

If you know the basics of embroidery, you should be able to stitch these little saints easily. You decide what colors you like where. If you want to fill in something or leave it outlined, it's totally your call. If you want to eliminate something completely that I put in the design, just leave it blank and the blue lines will wash away.

If you don't know anything about embroidery, anything at all, then the best place for you to go is Mary Corbett's Needle 'N Thread website. Her how to videos are where I turn to learn new stitches and techniques. I think they are very detailed but also easy to understand. Start with the basics… Running Stitch, Back Stitch, Stem Stitch, Split Stitch. Those are my main go-to stitches. For filling in anything you want filled in, I prefer the Long & Short Stitch (without the shading, I haven't yet done any shading). The important thing is to have fun and be creative!

Tomorrow, I'm going to show you how to deal with the water soluble ink when your design is complete.

Part Two :: Washing Off the Design 

Part Three :: Sewing Your Doll