This guide will walk you through all of the steps and techniques used to stitch this pattern. The information in this guide is merely a suggestion so please feel free to make changes to colors, stitches or techniques to make it your own. There is no right or wrong way to stitch this pattern, so relax and have fun! You will need: Sharp ScissorsEmbroidery Needles6" Embroidery HoopEmbroidery Floss or ThreadApple Blossoms & Honey Bees Pattern, Fabric or KitIron and Ironing-board or Equivalent DMC Floss Colors Rings - 67Bees - 310, 307, 67Branch - 105Flowers - 4180, 973Leaves - 4066Words - 321Or colors of your choice ----- Let's get Started! ----- Fusible Embroidery Stabilizer Using a stabilizer is not required when doing hand embroidery, but a stabilizer will firm the fabric and improve stitch quality. For best results a stabilizer is recommended with the printed fabric pattern. If you purchase the kit a square of fusible embroidery stabilizer is included.Iron the stabilizer to the fabric before you begin stitching. To ensure your iron stays clean you can put a pressing cloth or old flour-sack dish towel over the top of the stabilizer before pressing. (Pressing cloth not shown)Place your fabric face down on a flat heat-safe surface (ironing board or equivalent). Press lightly with a hot dry (no steam) iron to remove any creases. Next center the stabilizer SHINY SIDE DOWN over your fabric. The shiny side is adhesive and must be in contact with the back of the fabric. Using a dry iron on its hottest setting press the stabilizer to the fabric. Starting in the center hold the iron on each section for 8-10 seconds, working your way outward. Be sure to get the edges. Fusible embroidery stabilizer is available here. Stitches Used in this Project To complete the Back Stitch Start on the back side of the fabric and bring your needle up through the fabric at 1 then down through at 2. Bring your needle up through at 3 and back down at 4 in the same hole as 1. Each stitch is made by moving forward on the back side then back to the previous stitch on top. To complete the Fly Stitch Start on the back side of the fabric and bring your needle up through the fabric at 1 then down through at 2, leaving a loop. Come up at 3 with the needle over the loop, pull the thread to a V shape. Go down at 4 to anchor the V shape. To complete the French Knot Note: This stitch requires two hands. The french knot can be a little tricky to master but once you get the hang of it, it will become one of your favorite stitches.Start on the back side of the fabric, bring your needle up through the fabric at 1. Keeping the needle point close to the fabric at 1, wrap the thread around the needle 2 or 3 times. With the needle point resting on 2 pull the thread taut and down to the needle point. Then bring the needle down in 2 right next to 1 but not in the same hole. To complete the Split Stitch Start on the back side of the fabric and bring your needle up through the fabric at 1 then down through at 2. Bring your needle up through at 3 stitching through the previous stitch piercing the strands of floss. Create another stitch by bringing your needle down at 4 and up at 5 repeating the process. To complete the Smyrna or Double Cross Stitch The Smyrna Cross Stitch looks similar to the Eyelet Stitch but instead of having a hole in the center the thread goes all the way across making an x over a +. Start on the back side of the fabric and bring your needle up through the fabric at 1 then down through at 2. Bring your needle up through at 3 and back down at 4. Continue around. To complete the Fill or Long/Short Stitch Use the long and short stitch to fill large shapes. You can use one color or multiple for different shading. Starting at the top or bottom of a shape, create a row of parallel stitches varying the length. Next work a second row of long stitches into the short stitches of the first row, passing the needle through the stitch above. Continue working rows until the shape is filled.When filling circles be careful not to go to far out on the sides or the circle will start to look more oval. If you are having trouble keeping your stitches straight, use a ruler to draw parallel lines in. Terms When I refer to a “length of floss” I mean 12 to 18 inches of floss pulled from the numbered end of the skein and cut. This does not need to be an exact measurement, some will say about an arms length. A length can be shorter if you don’t need that much thread but I don’t recommend going over 18 inches. Longer lengths of thread are harder to handle and more prone to twisting and knotting. I also use the term “different phases of variegation” this means I am using lengths of floss purposely cut so the change in colors are different from a previous cut. I do this to get a greater color variation. Working with variegated floss. Variegated floss is one of my favorite threads to stitch with especially when stitching things from nature. If you look closely at things in nature you will see they are rarely one solid color. Besides natural color variations, light plays a role too causing highlights and shadows on objects. With the right variegated thread you can easily simulate this look. Since variegated threads only start to change color after you have done a number of stitches I use a little trick to get the highlighted look. For example if you were to use two strands of variegated green floss to stitch leaves your first few leaves would be one shade of green. Your next would be a lighter shade of green and so on. But with one little tweak you can change that. The trick is to stagger your individual strands of floss so they are not the same color. Using two or three stands of floss from different phases of the variegation will give you a look of light and dark without having to change threads. I refer to this method as staggering To do this cut two lengths of six strand floss no longer than 18 inches. Be sure they are in different phases of variegation. Separate one strand of thread from each length of six strands. Thread the single strands together in one needle. You can do this with any number of strands but I usually limit it to three strands. As you can see you will get varying areas of highlight and shadow. Rings DMC 67 VariegatedSplit stitch with three strands of floss Each ring is stitched in a split stitch with three strands of floss. To achieve a noticeable color variation each ring is started with a new length of floss from a different phase of variegation. If you want a more gradual color change continue all three rings from the same length of floss. For even more variation in color, you can stagger your strands of floss.Because the rings are meant to look like they are overlapping it doesn’t matter what section of the rings you move too when crossing a break in the rings (like where the bee is covering them)If you are having trouble picking out the rings from the branches check out the color chart. Branches DMC 105 variegatedFill stitch with two strands of staggered flossIf you are new to the fill stitch, branches are a great place to start. They are bumpy, twisted and full of protrusions, so there is no need to worry about having perfect stitches. All of the branches are stitched in two strands of staggered floss. I made it a point to get some of the lightest part of the thread in there for highlights. A French knot was also added at the end of the branch in the upper left corner (of the image) to make it look like it had been cut. Leaves DMC 4066 variegatedSplit stitch or back stitch in one or two strands of staggered floss for the outline. The Fly Stitch for the veins.There are a variety of ways to stitch leaves. The leaves shown here are stitched with a combination of back stitches and split stitches. The veins of the larger leaves are stitched with two strands of staggered floss. The veins of the smaller leaves are stitched with one strand of floss. All of the leaves are outlined with two strands of staggered floss. If you look closely you will see I stitched each leaf a little differently. I think it looks a little more natural that way but if you prefer a more consistent look they can all be stitched the same. You could also fill the leaves in with a fish bone stitch or fill stitch. Apple Blossoms DMC 4180 variegated & DMC 725Split stitch and back stitch outlines.French Knots or Cross Stitch Centers One, two or three strands depending on the size of the flower.Like the leaves the flowers are stitched a little differently depending on their size. Larger flowers are created with a split stitch and three strands of floss on the outline and one to two strands in the center. Smaller flowers are made with a back stitch in two strands of floss for the outline and one strand in the center. For the yellow centers use either a cross stitch or French knots in two strands of floss. For a more consistent look all of the flowers can be stitched the same. Bees DMC 310, 307, 67 variegatedBack stitch and fill stitch in one to two strands of flossThe body is outlined with a back stitch in two strands of yellow. Then filled using two strands. Each black and yellow section will take 3 to 5 stitches to fill. The head is outlined in two strands of black and then filled with two strands. If you do not want the outline of the body visible, your fill stitches can extend over the top of the outline. To do this start your fill stitches on the outside of the outline and extend them over the top. The legs and antennas are one strand of black.The wings are outline with a back stitch in one strand of floss of the lightest section of the 67 blue variegated. For bolder wings you could use a darker section of blue or black. Text This pattern is available with a blank space in the rings or Mom. You can easily add any name, monogram or phase you like. DMC 321 (optional text)Split back stitch in two or three strands of flossA split-back stitch is a combination of the split stitch and the back stitch. It is made just like a back stitch but instead of the needle entering the fabric at the last stitch hole you move back slightly and split the previous stitch entering the fabric from the top instead of from the bottom.The advantage to a split-back stitch is it very easy to make small smooth split stitches for curvy areas such as letting. The disadvantage is it uses a lot more thread.Letters can also be stitched in a normal back stitch or split stitch. The image shows a split-back stitch in three strands of floss. Displaying Your Finished Work There are a number of ways to display a finished embroidery piece. You can leave it in the hoop, make a small quilted wall hanging, or mount it in a frame, just to name a few. If you frame it in the hoop you can hang it on the wall or place it in a display stand.(Display stand available here)You can also put the adjusting hardware to the top and add a bow and string to hang it on the wall. Paint, stain, tape or fabric are all fun ways to decorate a hoop. For best results stitch the project with a plain hoop. Then remove the outer hoop ring and apply any decorative product. After the hoop is dry re-hoop the fabric and finish the back. Finishing the Back If you choose to frame your embroidery in the hoop you will want to finish the back. To do this you will need a 30 inch long piece of sewing thread or a single strand of embroidery floss.To finish the back start by trimming the corners, leaving about an inch of fabric. Starting with your needle on the backside of the fabric, bring your needle up through the fabric about a quarter inch from the edge. Leave a three or four inch tail of thread to the inside. Continue to stitch a loose running stitch all the way around the hoop. Try to stay about a quarter of an inch away from the edge of the fabric.When you get back to your first stitch, pull the tail thread and the needle thread together. This will gather and bunch the fabric. Tie the two ends of thread together with a secure knot. Cut off any excess thread. You can use a little steam along the edges to help it lay flat. To completely cover the back you can cut a piece of felt the same size as the hoop and stitch it or glue it to the back. Add Some Sparkle To make your piece really pop try adding a few sequence or seed beads.For a more subtle shimmering effect try a specialty thread or floss.Check out our selection of beads & embellishments. SHOP NOW Share Your Work! You did it, great job! Thank you so much for joining me on this stitch along project. If you enjoyed this pattern snap a photo of your finished piece and share it on social media.I love seeing your work and your unique take on patterns so don't forget to tag me. #wildflowerfoxcrafts Follow me on Instagram Join me In the Hoop Get all of the latest news, tips & tutorials delivered right to your inbox!There is always something fun happening in the hoop. 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