Make Your Own

Recently I've deveopled an impassioned habit of designing one of a kind gifts as a new occasion arises. Birthdays, babies, holidays are all excuses for me to grab the nearest writing utensil and start sketching ideas complete with cryptic symbols and measurements. Perfectly understandable refeferences for my own use but not very helpful should I want to teach someone else. I sat down and drafted this easy to follow, step-by-step instructions of how to make your own hand-stitched thank you card.

Now go make your own stuff.

These instructions contain information for either machine sewing fabric onto the cardstock or gluing fabric to the cardstock. No sewing experience necessary!
All supplies can be purchased at your local craft and sewing store.
These instructions are for personal use only and are not to be duplicated, copied or distributed. Copyright 2010 Honeybelles
You may post a link to this page to share on your website.

Supplies Needed:
 5x7 Blank Greeting Card with envelope (for this instructional I used Strathmore Recycled Fiber Cards in Textured Cream)
 Scrap of linen fabric big enough to fit your embroidery hoop
 Fabric chalk pencil
 Embroidery Floss
 Embroidery Needle
 Small Embroidery Hoop (for this instructional I used a 5” plastic hoop)
 Craft Glue (if not using a sewing machine)

1. Read through all directions thoroughly before beginning project. There are variations in the final steps for the two ways of mounting the linen piece to the card. Choose the appropriate instructions for the type of card you are making.

2. Trace your lettering onto linen fabric. The easiest way to complete this step is to tape your paper onto a sunny window and hold your linen up to the window so the lettering shows through. The tracing should be barely dark enough for you to see and stitch over, but light enough it won’t show through your stitches. My tracing is very light and does not show up on a photo very well.

3. Mount your linen piece with traced lettering onto the embroidery hoop. Don’t worry if the edges get pressed and crimped by the embroidery hoop, you’ll be cutting those pieces off.

4. Using a back stitch, stitch the lettering onto the linen. Come up at 1, down at 2, up at 3, down at 4, etc…

Here is an online tutorial with pictures of how to backstitch if you need more detailed explanations: How to Backstitch

* TIP:
Use a length of embroidery floss about the same length as your outstretched arms, fingertip to fingertip. Mine is about 54”. Keep your stitches as close to the lines as you are able. It is easier to see your traced lettering if you use indoor lighting. Close the shades on that sunny window! Go slowly and take your time. Occasionally you may need to let the thread hang loose to unwind if it gets twisted on you. Don’t worry if your stitches aren’t perfect, that’s part of the appeal of a hand stitched piece!

5. Cut out your linen piece now complete with stitched lettering. The cutting does not have to be a perfectly shaped rectangle since you will be fraying the edges later.

If not using a sewing machine, skip step 6 and proceed to alternative instructions for gluing linen onto card.

6. Sew linen piece onto greeting card. Place your linen piece onto the greeting card. Linen can be placed in either a vertical or horizontal position on the card. Card in the photo was sewn using a zigzag stitch set to 2.0 stitch width and 1.0 stitch length. Start at top right corner and sew one continuous rectangle, finishing at starting position.

Take your time and go slowly. Once you’ve completed the rectangle, back stitch 2-3 times to reinforce and keep thread from coming loose. Clip stray threads. If you are concerned about your thread becoming loose inside the card, dab a small bit of craft glue on the inside of the card where the thread was clipped.

Alternative Instructions for gluing linen onto card

a) With the underside of linen piece facing up, place a thin line of craft glue all the way around the piece at least ¼” from edge. Place your linen piece onto the greeting card with right side facing up. Linen can be placed in either a vertical or horizontal position on the card.
b) Gently press the fabric onto card tracing all the way around the edge with your finger.
c) Allow to dry completely.

7. Carefully fray the edges of the linen piece. Gently loosen the linen strands on one side and pull free. Continue on all four sides to get a frayed look you are happy with. I personally prefer a more messy frayed edge.

Now enjoy your work and show someone how much you appreciate them!