Heirloom Snowflake Stitch Along Project

Tutorial 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 Needles5" Embroidery HoopEmbroidery Floss or ThreadHeirloom Snowflake, Pattern, Printed Fabric or KitIron and Ironing-board or Equivalent DMC Floss Colors White or 930 Antique Blue6 Strand or Pearl CottonCover image was stitched in 930 #5 Cotton Pearl ----- Let's get Started! ----- 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.   The kit for this pattern includes either #5 pearl embroidery floss or 6 strand floss. If you are using six strand floss I suggest using 3 strands. Snowflake Center Start with the center diamonds of the snowflake. Long single stitches from each corner of the diamonds were used to complete the center. If you follow the steps below you can complete the center without any jump stitches. You needle with also always enter into the shared center hole from the front. 1. Bring the needle up from the back of your fabric at #1, then down into the fabric at #2 to create your first stitch.2. Bring the needle up from the back at #3 and then down into the fabric at #2 to complete your second stitch.3. Bring the needle up from the back at #3 again and then down into the fabric at #4 4. Bring the needle up from the back at #1 again and then down into the fabric at #4. This completes your first diamond.5. Moving to the right bring the needle up from the back at the #1 spot of the next diamond and continue around the same as the first.6. Finish all of the diamonds in the center and tie off and cut your thread. Snowflake Arms Step 1 The steps below will allow you to create the snowflake arms without any jump stitches. 1. Start with the outer diamond Up 1 down at 2, up at 3 down 2, up at 3 down at 4, up at 1 down at 42. Bring your needle up at #1 again and then down into the fabric at #5.3. Create your first fly stitch. This stitch will end with your needle going down into the fabric at #64. Next bring your needle up from the back of the fabric at #7. Make a two or three wrap french knot. Then in a new hole just under the french knot bring the needle to the front of the fabric again (be careful not to catch the french knot with your needle point). Then down into the fabric at #65. Bring your needle up at #8, add a french knot and enter the fabric at #6 again. Snowflake Arms Step 2 To avoid jump stitches on the arms I used a tiny hidden stitch to get the needle back where I need it to continue creating fly stitches. 1. Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric just a little below #6 and then back down into the fabric creating a tiny stitch. This stitch will be hidden after completing the next step.2. Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric at #6 then back down in the V of the next fly stitch.3. Continue by creating the next four fly stitches. Dots Place one french knot between each of the snowflake arms. Displaying Your Finished Work Although there are a lot of ways to display a finished embroidery piece, many stitchers like to frame their embroidery right in the hoop. You can leave the hoop with its natural wood finish or decorate it for a unique look. The hoop shown here was painted with white and light blue, then set in an embroidery hoop display stand to make it look like a snow globe. 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 in 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 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. 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. In The Hoop Newsletter Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more … JOIN