Happy Friday! I'd been planning on posting another animal softie square today, but I couldn't get this tree design out of my head. Since it's been so hot out, I figured the pig softie square (see last Friday's post) could use some shade. I've introduced embroidery on top of the appliqué.
-This pdf
-Plain linen
-Green fabric for tree — I used a pale green with tiny brown polka dots
-Brown fabric for tree trunk — I found a fabric at Joann's that looks like bark
-DMC embroidery floss #s 321 and 3371
-Steam-A-Seam2 fusible web or Steam-A-Seam 2 lite
-Sewing machine with linen-colored thread
-Stuffing
-Needle to blind stitch the opening shut by hand
-Fabric scissors
-Light box or sunny window for tracing
-Marker with disappearing ink
-Embroidery hoop
Step 1: Cut two 7 x 12" rectangles of plain linen.
Step 2: Download and print this free pdf.
Step 3: Place the printout face down on a lightbox or on a sunny window, under a piece of the Steam-A-Seam2 fusible web. Be sure to draw on the side of the fusible web that is harder to remove (one side peels more easily than the other). Trace the tree top and the tree trunk separately, leaving a space between the two.
Step 4: Cut the green fabric large enough to cover the tree top and the brown fabric large enough to cover the tree trunk. Peel off the less sticky layer of fusible web and press the fabric onto the web, right side up. Since I had a bark pattern on my brown fabric I lined it up so that the knot hole was where I wanted it.
Step 5: Carefully cut out the oval tree top on the line. Cut the tree trunk out on the line as well. Arrange the two pieces on one of the 7 x 12" linen rectangles, tucking the top edge of the trunk under the bottom of the green oval. Press to fuse together.
Step 6: Place the printout face up on a light box or sunny window. Line the fabric tree up on top of the printout. With the dissapearing ink marker, draw the apple and branch pattern on the fabric.
Step 7: Place the tree top in an embroidery hoop. Using three strands of #3371, embroider the 'branches' using a backstitch. I keep my embroidery needles in this monogrammed felt needle book that I made. You can find that tutorial here.
Step 8: After you've finished the branches, use floss #321 to create the circular apples. My marker had mostly disappeared by this point, so I made the apples differing sizes to add variety. Because it was going to be a stuffed piece and the back would never be seen, I went from branch to branch and apple to apple without cutting the thread. Messy looking? Yup! :)
Step 9: I can't believe I'm showing you the reverse of this embroidery! Wrong sides facing and with a 3/8 or 1/2" seam allowance (whatever you're comfortable with), sew around the edges, leaving a 3" opening to be able to turn and stuff.
Step 10: Clip corners, turn right side out, stuff and hand stitch the opening shut using a blind stitch.
Go hug your tree!!
I like how this turned out, so I'm working on making a small pillow with three trees of varying sizes. Stay tuned, and have a fantastic weekend!
xo Karin
