Sew Birthday Fun (8 page)

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Authors: Mandy Shaw

BOOK: Sew Birthday Fun

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You will need

7.5cm x 10cm (3in x 4in) background fabric
5cm x 7.5cm (2in x 3in) fabric for number appliqué
7.5cm x 10cm (3in x 4in) wadding (batting)
5cm x 7.5cm (2in x 3in) fusible webbing
6.5cm x 9cm (2
¹⁄
₂in x 3
¹⁄
₂in) felt
Ribbon, ric-rac or pom-pom trim
6.5cm x 9cm (2
¹⁄
₂in x 3
¹⁄
₂in) cardboard
Brooch pin

Finished size:
6.5cm x 9cm (2
¹⁄
₂in x 3
¹⁄
₂in)

1. Trace off the birthday badge oval (see
Templates
) onto paper, glue it to lightweight card and cut out to make a template. Use the template to mark the oval onto the cardboard and cut out on the line. Cut a piece of wadding (batting) the same size and glue onto the cardboard oval.

2. Cut out a piece of background fabric 2.5cm (1in) bigger than the oval template all around. Appliqué a number centrally onto the fabric following the instructions for working with fusible webbing (see
Get Ready to Stitch
), and hand or machine blanket stitch in place.

3. Work a row of running stitches 6mm (
¹⁄
₄in) in from the raw edge of the background fabric oval, starting your stitching with a knot and working the first three stitches on top of each other. When you return to your start point, do not cast off.

4. Place the wadding (batting) side of the cardboard oval to the wrong side of the background fabric oval, pull up your gathering stitches tight around the cardboard and cast off thoroughly.

5. To add a ribbon or lace trim rosette-style, work a line of gathering stitches close to the edge along one long side of the ribbon or lace and pull up the gathers to fit around the outside edge of your oval; join the raw ends and cast off your gathers. Glue or sew the frill to the wrong side of the oval close to the edge so that the frill will show on the right side. Alternatively, attach your chosen trim all the way around the outside edge of the oval.

6. Use the oval template to cut a backing piece from the felt. Glue or sew the felt oval onto the back to cover card and edges of the trim. Sew on the brooch pin 2.5cm (1in) from the top of the badge.

Tip

With so many birthdays to celebrate each year, it makes sense to make and keep a birthday badge card template alongside your stash of birthday cards.

Birthday Party Stitchery

This lovely stitchery is reminiscent of a birthday party scene straight out of an Enid Blyton story. It makes for a very special decoration to be hung up in your home to mark each birthday celebration. As only a few stitches are used – backstitch, running stitch, cross stitch and the odd French knot – it is a great starter piece.

You will need

25.5cm x 25.5cm (10in x 10in) linen fabric
DMC stranded cotton (floss): red 0047, brown 0375, blue 0142, light blue 0140, green 0242, dark pink 0039, flesh 0276, yellow 0301
25.5cm x 25.5cm (10in x 10in) lightweight fusible interfacing
20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in) red felt
20cm (8in) of 2.5cm (1in) wide pre-gathered ribbon
Small piece of narrow ribbon for hanging
18cm (7in) diameter wooden embroidery hoop
25.5cm x 25.5cm (10in x 10in) card
Strong fabric glue

Finished size:
approx 18cm (7in) diameter

1. Carefully trace the embroidery design (see
Templates
) onto the front of the linen fabric using a fine pencil. Iron the interfacing onto the back of the fabric.

Tip

Use a light box to aid the transfer of the embroidery design onto the linen, or tape the design, then the linen, to a window for a better view.

2. Embroider the design working backstitch using two strands of thread for the outlines and filling in the details as advised – see
Embroider the design
.

3. Once the embroidery design has been completed, it may require a light hand wash. Leave to dry, then press.

4. Make a decorative backing for the birthday stitchery. Use your wooden hoop as a guide to draw a circle onto the card and cut out. Glue the red felt to the card and trim neatly to the edge of the card. With the card side facing up, glue the pre-gathered ribbon to the inner edge of the card, and set aside to dry.

5. Separate the embroidery hoop into its two parts. Place the embroidery over the smaller hoop, making sure you centralize the design. Place the larger hoop over the fabric and push it onto the smaller hoop. Pull the fabric taut and tighten the tension screw.

6. Working at the back of the hoop, trim the excess fabric to approx 5cm (2in). Using thread doubled in the needle and secured with a large knot, sew a running stitch 6mm (
¹⁄
₄in) from the edge of the fabric, gather up tightly and fasten off.

7. Apply glue all around the edge of the back of the framed embroidery and stick it down onto the backing, card side facing up. Leave to dry, then fold the small ribbon length in half and glue it to the back of the embroidery so it can be hung up with pride.

Embroider the design
Brown (DMC 0375)

Using two strands: backstitch the outline edge of the chairs and the dog, and the hair outlines of the boy and centre girl.

Using one strand: backstitch highlights in the boy’s and girl’s hair; embroider small running stitches to fill the chair outlines; sew small tiny stitches (seed stitch) randomly all over the dog.

Work a French knot for the dog’s eye and satin stitch for his nose. Work straight stitch detailing for the party guests’ eyes and eyebrows.

Red (DMC 0047)

Using two strands: backstitch the bunting string and the outline of two of the flags. Decorate the flags with cross stitch. Continuing with backstitch, outline the outer and inner border of the large pennant, the dog’s neckerchief, and the tablecloth decoration. Decorate the crowns with star stitch (made by working two cross stitches one on top of the other, at different angles).

Using one strand: work a French knot for the cherry on top of the cup cake; sew tiny running stitches to the pennant border, backstitch the stripes on the boy’s t-shirt, the circles on the dog’s neckerchief, and the inner border of the girl’s rosette (you can add an age inside too).

Blue (DMC 0142)

Using two strands: backstitch the three crowns, the tablecloth, the outline of two of the bunting flags, one of the balloons and the centre girl’s top.

Using one strand: seed stitch the blue balloon, decorate the two bunting flags with tiny squares, and chain stitch the candles.

Light blue (DMC 0140)

Using two strands: backstitch the outline of the boy’s t-shirt.

Green (DMC 0242)

Using two strands: backstitch the outline of two of the bunting flags, one of the balloons, and the hanging string of the pennant, and the shoes of the left-hand girl.

Using one strand: seed stitch the balloon, decorate the flags with tiny squares, outline the birthday card with backstitch, add the lines of cross stitch and backstitch on the cake tiers, and the ribbon edging on the centre girl’s rosette.

Dark pink (DMC 0039)

Using two strands: backstitch the outline of the left-hand girl’s dress, one of the balloons, and the birthday cake.

Using one strand: seed stitch the balloon and work lines of running stitch for the sleeve detailing and waistband on the left-hand girl’s dress.

Flesh (DMC 0276)

Using two strands: backstitch the outlines of the arms, legs and faces of the party guests.

Yellow (DMC 0301)

Using two strands: backstitch the details of the left-hand girl’s hair, the birthday card, the socks of the left-hand girl, the outline of one of the bunting flags and the appropriate age number in the pennant.

Using one strand: embroider a single chain stitch for the flame on top of each of the candles.

Tip

Take a photograph of your finished stitchery and use to make your very own birthday cards.

Crowns and Tiaras

These impressive party hats will make the birthday boy or girl feel really special. There is a pretty pink tiara for the Queen for the day and a bold crown for the King for the day. Made to fit children, the size is easy to adapt for adults too.