I currently have the occasion to be giving a thank you card and wanted to make one that’s extra special. I’ve recently re-discovered how fun embroidery is so I decided to embroider a typography based card. My stitches certainly aren’t perfect, but I’m pretty happy with the result. I love all the different textures and I know the special people it’s for will appreciate the time that went into it. Here’s how to make it:
You will need:
- piece of A4 cardboard
- fabric (choose a fabric that is lightweight and semi transparent so it’s easy to trace your design)
- a selection of embroidery threads
- embroidery hoop
- embroidery needle
- craft glue and/or double sided tape
- computer and printer
Start by creating your typography design in any word processing program. I used a font called Braggadocio because I like its chunky, geometric style. I created two text boxes and resized the words so they filled the same width, but you can do whatever design you like. Print off the design and make sure you’re happy with the size. The finished card will be a piece of A5 cardboard folded in half.
Trace the design onto the fabric. You can use a special fading fabric marker if you have one, or you can just use lead pencil. Put your fabric in the embroidery hoop and tighten it so it’s firm and taut. It’s really important to use an embroidery hoop for this style of embroidery so that the fabric doesn’t pucker.
Start stitching! Cut a length of embroidery thread and separate it into two groups of three strands. Thread your needle with three strands, knot the end and fill in the shapes using satin stitch. Satin stitch is simply long stitches sewn closely together to fill in an area. When you finish with a colour or length of thread, be sure to knot your thread on the back before cutting it.
Embroidery is rather time consuming, so now is a good time to plonk yourself in front of the telly with a cup of tea while you stitch.
Cut the piece of A4 cardboard in half then fold one of the pieces in half so you have a card. Cut the other piece in half so you have a piece the same size as the front of the card and cut out the middle to create a window big enough to frame your design. Cut around your design so the piece of fabric is just a tiny bit smaller than the size of the finished card.
Apply craft glue (or double sided tape) to the underside of the window and attach the fabric making sure it’s centred and smooth.
Apply more glue (or double sided tape) to the back of the fabric, but only around the frame area and a few dots on some of the large sections of embroidery. Don’t put glue on the background areas of fabric as it will leak through to the right side and look messy. Stick it onto the card and it’s finished!
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This is so polished and just lovely!! I would love to have a go so thank you for the wee tutorial there.
A lovely idea, and very simple too. Thanks for the tutorial.
What a lovely card – very effective and I think I’m going to give it a go! Thanks for the tutorial.
What a cute idea! love the idea of having the paper frame it – then perhaps if they like it they can frame the fabric part?
Thanks! What a great idea to frame it – I hadn’t thought of that!