Stitching on a card...quick tutorial

This is a quick tutorial on how to hand stitch on a card. There are a few ways to do this, but this is the stitch that I prefer.

The supplies needed:

• Piercing template (this is In Stitches from Bazzil) You can also use a stamp and versamark ink and use the piercing tool to creat your own stitched image.
• Embroidery Floss
• Piercing Tool
• Cork or something to pierce onto
• Cardstock
• Embroidery needle or Needle with a large eye
  
  
  
  First, you start by lining up the template on your cardstock and piercing the holes.
  

Thread your needle. I usually start with about 24 inches of floss. I thread the floss through the eye and leave about 2 inches of floss hanging off of one side. I do not double the floss as it would be too thick to go through the paper smoothly.

Next, I flip the cardstock over to the back and find my starting point. I start my stitch and pull the needle through. When I am almost to the end of the thread, I tape it down, just so I don't pull it through the other side.

Next I flip the cardstock back over and continue with the next stitch.

On the backside of the card, I go back up through to continue the stitch.


This time when you come back up through instead of continuing to the next hole, you will go backwards into the previous hole. Then, from the backside, continue to the next open hole and then backstitch again.

Continue this pattern until all finished. When I am done, I use a small piece of tape to secure the floss.

A few tips:

• Go slow at first, the floss has a tendancy to want to knot and it can make a mess of your project.


• If you run out of floss don't worry, just tape it off and start over.


• Have fun with different patterns. Use a floral stamp and versamark ink. Use a piercing tool and create your own pattern. It adds such dimension to a card.
  

Samples:

Just a simple card using the tutorial image.

This card was made using a stamp, versamark and a piercing tool to create my own image/template.

I made this ATC using an alphabet stamp. I just pierced my own holes and used coordinating floss and ink.

Thanks for looking and have fun stitching!!!