Hoop Art Embroidery - Free sewing patterns

What better way to pay tribute to your love of needlecrafts than with this project from Sophia Palmer. A fuss-free introduction to working with 3D elements and mastering the essentials of embroidery, this project can be brought to life in a matter of hours – ready to adorn your sewing room. You even have the option of personalising your seamstress, so that she becomes a miniature version of yourself or the recipient of your gift.

Essentials

Fabric, linen; scraps
Embroidery hoop, 20cm
Iron-on interfacing
Fusible webbing
Embroidery stabiliser
Embroidery thread
Ribbon
Yarn, super chunky
Embroidery needle

1cm seam allowance used throughout, unless otherwise stated.

Download and print the templates from sewmag.co.uk. Draw around the hoop onto firm weight interfacing. Snip 5cm around the edge of this line and cut out. Iron the interfacing onto the back of linen fabric. Using the template provided, trace the elements onto fusible webbing. Loosely snip them out and iron onto the back of your chosen fabric scraps. Cut out neatly.
Trace the design onto an embroidery stabiliser. Pin the top to the centre of the linen base fabric. This will be used to place the pieces. Cut a larger scrap of fabric to create the 3D material coming out of the sewing machine. Pin this to the linen base, using the traced design as a guide for positioning. Sew the fabric in place using one strand of embroidery thread.
Peel the backing paper from the fabric pieces and iron permanently in place, underneath the traced design. Take care as some will overlap the 3D fabric piece. Trim down the 3D material if needed. Place the design in the hoop and secure it tightly. Create different textures using various embroidery threads and a mixture of back and satin stitches.
Use large detached chain stitches to make the hair, with the holding stitches always meeting at the very top of the head. For the hair bun, use super chunky yarn to create a swirl on top of the head, then hold it in place with small one strand stitches. Make the machine buttons, pinhead, and hooks with French knots. Carefully peel away the embroidery stabiliser, then use a running stitch around the excess fabric on the back to draw it in, finishing with a secure knot. Add a piece of ribbon to the top of the hoop for hanging.