Build a Better Mousetrap

Embroidery is truly a very satisfying hobby. Because this is primarily an art, creativity of the one who does embroidery is even harnessed more and thus he/she is given a greater avenue of expression. Aside from this, seeing the actual product or the final output of the design simply gives invaluable feelings. And just like other forms of arts, embroidery must also follow certain disciplines and skill in order to attain a desirable output.

Skill is often associated with constant correct practice and perseverance. In order for the skill in stitching to be developed, it must be shaped using mediums and for the case of embroidery, patterns are effective tools. And you’d be glad that free embroidery patterns can be easily acquired these days.

Patterns are design guides that are used to make the embroidery perfect. The final output of the embroidery is dependent on the design. There are designs that are simple and bare and there are also those that are complete with varying colors, depth, and complicated thread mixes. The question now is where to find embroidery patterns?

Embroidery patterns are usually for sale. They can be acquired at any hobby store where you can also find other equipments for embroidery. Design patterns are not actually that expensive as compared to other embroidery essentials, but purchasing one for your project is simply not practical.

It is because there are so many places where you can find embroidery patterns that are free of charge and with wide array of designs to choose from. Here are some of the many places where you can find free embroidery patterns:

1.) Embroidery Books -Today, there are so many books about stitching and embroidery that clips sample patterns. They come free when you buy the book. Though you need to invest in buying the book, the fact that it can help enhance your skills in embroidery is simply an advantage. The patterns clipped in these books are an absolute give away.

2.) Internet -The place where you can find almost all of the things that you are looking is absolutely in the World Wide Web. Who can imagine that this spider can really give you free embroidery patterns? But believe it or not, the internet can. If you do Google or Yahoo or any search engine that you know and you are comfortable using, just enter a keyword and in a snap, you have what you are looking for.

All you have to do is choose among the sites that can offer you the best deal. Be aware though of the sites that are pure spammers or asks you to download design. These sites might be a threat to your PC. They might contain bugs.

3.)Workshop Kits -Joining workshops and seminars on embroidery will not just give you new ideas and enhance your skills but also give you hundreds of free embroidery patterns. Just like books, you only need to pay for a registration and then you get several patterns as souvenirs or giveaway kits. But, the money is well worth it. After all, workshops are very good avenue to practice and you will surely learn something.

Embroidery must not give you strain. So whenever you are looking for free embroidery patterns, extend your searches and you will surely find one. You may also want to try your own design pattern by sketching and having it printed. That way, you are not just having it free, you are making it personalized.

Have you ever heard about embroidery greeting cards? Perhaps, not yet. Most of us have been so into hand and machine embroidery which uses clothes that we don’t know much about embroidery on paper or greeting cards. But, don’t you think it’s much fun to design your greeting cards using embroidery especially if you love embroidery? It sure will be. After all, if it’s your first time to do it, you’d be glad at how this can be a great way to express your love and feelings to your love ones through the personalized greeting cards.

The good thing about embroidering greeting cards is that you can combine your love of embroidery to paper crafts. And did you know that there are, surprisingly, plenty of designs for stitching your cards? And most of all, they are free.

How Get Designs for your Greeting Cards

* Cut out any designs you’d like from your old magazines and books. You’ll surely find great designs for card such as Christmas ornaments or trees for Christmas, hearts for Valentines, cakes for birthdays, etc.

* You can also download and print an image from the internet. Make sure to get simple designs if you’re new to this.

* You can also use old embroidery patterns

Where Do You Get Patterns and Designs?

* Old magazines and books which you can freely cut-out.
* Embroidery shops
* The internet

So, now you have your pattern or design, you can prepare the materials that you will need. You should prepare your blank card, pin for punching holes, needles, threads, tapes, scissors, glue sticks and some decorative papers.

Simple Steps in Making your Embroidery Greeting Cards

a.) Tape the design you’ve chosen on the blank greeting card.

b.) Following the drawings on the design, punch holes on the card.

c.) Now, there will be holes which will be your pattern in stitching. Follow the holes as you stitch. Use different stitches depending on the design. Remember not to knot the end of the thread, just tape it at the back of the paper.

d.) When you’re through stitching all the designs, you can paste decorative papers at the back of the card as it would be messy.

Embroidery on Paper is Different!

One important thing that you have to keep in mind is that paper embroidery is different from that done on fabric; although the concepts are mostly similar. On paper, you have to punch the holes where you will do the stitching. And you have to do it carefully if you want your designs to be perfect. At most embroidery shops, you can buy special tools which you can use to punch holes on your paper for stitching.

There will also be lots of patterns available for this kind of embroidery craft. But you have to keep in mind that because you are designing a greeting card (which is slightly small); you have to look for a design which best fit the card. You also need to consider the occasion when you intend to send the card when finding patterns and designs.

Whether you are going to make a Christmas card, Valentine’s card, birthday card or anniversary card, embroidery greeting cards are the best one to make. You can make a personalized design.

You have done it with great efforts which your love ones will surely appreciate. Best of all, the materials you need are all cheaper.

For those who are not familiar with the term, paper embroidery seems strange. Most people will think that it is rather strange idea that instead of fabric, you will be embroidering on paper. However, you should know that this kind of embroidery has been in practice for many decades now. Only, it was not that popular since very few people have shown interest on it.

But, if you get the hang of it, you will surely love this embroidery craft. You will be amazed at just how paper embroidery can be so much fun. This basically involves stitching designs to paper or thin card. And did you know that this craft is excellent in decorating nondescript items such as bookmarks, table decors, materials in scrapbooking and greeting cards. And even as beginner, you can surprisingly produce great items using paper embroidery.

History of Paper Embroidery

In the 1970s, string art pictures were popular. Many believed that paper embroidery has been strongly influenced by this string art pictures. However, paper embroidery started in Holland in the 1990s when a Dutch designer named Erica Fortgens wrote books containing instructions for stitching cards and making patterns for them.

The designer said that she started designing patterns when she made dinner cards with gold embroidery; the cards became very popular. Also in the 1990s, a wool manufacturer, Madeira, started manufacturing embroidery paper kits which were sold under the name Pickpoints. Only few kits were produced though.

In 1998, Card Inspirations which is an English craft company launched stitching cards. These were named Form-A-Lines which were first designed by Anne Harding and Linda Jefferson. Then, David Jefferson designed a computer drawing program which was used to convert the cards into patterns. These became the first two Form-A-Lines kits which became very popular; thus, the evolution of paper embroidery begun.

Application of Paper Embroidery

So where and when can you make paper embroidery useful? Well, in many occasions and many ways. The following are uses of paper embroidery;

* Greeting cards – stitching cards are becoming very popular nowadays especially for people who want personalized greeting cards.

* Scrapbooking – instead of using colored scrapbooking papers, you can add life to your scrapbooks by using embroidered paper.

* Table decors – you can make embroidered decorations for your tables

* Bookmarks or notebook covers – instead of frowning over a plain bookmark or notebook, you can lighten it up by adding embroidery on them.

* Tags – you may also embroider gift tags or name tags should you like a personalized touch

The Things to Consider In Paper Embroidery

If you are planning to do paper embroidery, there are several things that you need to consider. And among the most important are the materials that you will need.  First, you need to decide on the type of paper you will be using. Be sure to choose papers which can hold the threads. It should also be fibrous and can allow you to push the needles through it.

The type of needles that you are going to use should be very thin and sharp. Many recommend that a paper embroiderer use 75/11 needle size. The threads that you will be using are the next thing to consider. You can actually use any kind of threads you prefer. But make sure that it will perfectly fit he needle as well as suit the paper you are using on your project.

There is not much you need in order to start your project. You just have to keep in mind that in paper embroidery, creativity is also the best factor to consider.