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Sewyeah
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A mini guide to embroidering on felt:
what you need, where to get it, illustrated
stitch tutorials, top tips and expert advice

Christine Leech

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EMBR OIDERY KIT WORKING WITH FELT

NEEDLES AND PINS

I love using 100% wool felt. It’s soft, To prewash or not?
Embroidery needles come in sizes from 2 to 9: 2 is the strong and comes in lots of gorgeous Wool felt can shrink if it gets wet,
largest and 9 the smallest. I like to use a size 4 or 5. colours. I buy mine from Cloud Craft so if you plan to use water-based
Beading needles are thin and slightly bendy, with a in 20x30cm sheets, 1mm thick. While embroidery transfer paper or
larger hole.
wool felt is more expensive than Bondaweb (a heat-activated double-
Darning needles are handy for threading ribbons onto
ornaments.
acrylic, I find it easier to work with (the sided adhesive paper, useful for
‘squeak’ of acrylic felt sets my teeth fixing two pieces of felt together), it’s
SCISSORS
on edge). With embroidery, I also think important to prewash, dry and iron
Small embroidery scissors
it’s more forgiving as you can stitch your felt before you embroider it.
Medium-sized general purpose scissors
and unpick several times and the felt
(My favourites are the orange-handled ones made by won’t go out of shape or bobble. It is
Korbond, available in all good supermarkets.) also lovely to work with a more natural
material.
Pinking shears or scallop-edged scissors Lots of Sewyeah projects have small
These add a decorative edge to felt and are great for
elements and we stitch quite close
flowers and embellishments. The scallop-edged scissors
come in different sizes and make the ideal gift for a
to the edge of the felt when sewing
crafter, so put some on your birthday list! up stuffed creations. Wool felt has the
strength to cope with this and doesn’t
CRAFT KNIFE, STEEL RULER AND CUTTING MAT go out of shape when firmly stuffed.
Useful for cutting straight edges I’ve never used a wool/viscose mix
and protecting your table! felt, but I like the sound of them as
viscose is more natural than acrylic so
HEY! o
EMBROIDERY HOOPS it may not squeak! ol felt, s
lo v e 1 00% wo n atural
My preferred size is 15cm/6in. Bamboo is more M o th s it h a
Another advantage of wool felt g it w
er storin d a bit
of
sustainable than plastic and looks great as a frame on
is that it’s stiff enough to embroider consid ll e nt or ad ts as
p e a c
your wall. moth re ffing. It
without the help of a hoop. This is d e r to your stu g o rg e ous
laven t a n d smells
e n
TRANSFER TOOLS
really useful when you’re using small a deterr too!
There are lots of different methods and you’ll soon pieces or offcuts.
work out which is your favourite. I’ve listed mine in the If you’re working on a large or
Transferring Designs section. intricate design – for example the
Embroidered Gingerbread Village,
AN IRON Mr Claus and the Christmas Crew
There are a variety of small craft irons on the market. I decorations or A Year of Embroidered
really like the Cricut EasyPress Mini. It’s easily portable
and has an auto switch-off function.
Envelopes – then using a hoop would Any links to Cloud Craft or Lovecrafts,com
be beneficial. Otherwise, I tend to cut are affiliated. This means I get a little money
if you purchase something from their store,
the shape out first, then embroider it. at no extra cost to you.
 Clover makes iron-on pencils in red
TRANSFERRING DESIGNS
choose a pen colour that is close to
that of your felt so it’s not as obvious or blue. These work in the same way
if your embroidery doesn’t cover it all as pens, but you have to keep them
(though the pen marks do seem to sharp to maintain a fine line.
There are a few different ways to template shapes, it is not suitable for fade over time). I use 0.4mm Cricut
transfer patterns to felt or fabric. The transferring embroidery designs. Infusible Ink Markers that come in sets Other marking pens and pencils are
best method depends on the colour of of five colours. They are a bit pricey available, including ones that are
your felt (Its easier to transfer patterns CRICUT MAKER MACHINE but have a nice fine line. Sublime air erasable or can be removed with
to light coloured felts!) Here are some If you have a Cricut Maker (or similar Stitching sells individual coloured pens. water or the heat of an iron when
of my favourites. cutting machine that can handle felt), you’ve finished stitching, but as felt
many Sewyeah projects include .SGV Pros Fine line, variety of colours, has a rough texture, I find they don’t
To transfer files to import into Design Space and easy to iron on. Cricut Infusible Ink work as well as iron-on pens.
template shapes use to directly cut out your felt shapes. Markers are compatible with Cricut
All Sewyeah projects come with Makers and fit in to the maker like the WATER-SOLUBLE EMBROIDERY SHEETS
templates designed to be printed out Both these methods work well if blades do, so you can transfer the Sulky sells printable paper that is
at 100% on UK A4 or US-letter paper. you’re going to cut out your template embroidery pattern directly from your slightly sticky. Once you’ve transferred
To transfer the template shapes to shapes, then embroider the design. computer. your pattern to the paper (printed or
felt, you can simply pin the paper to Alternatively, you could embroider Cons A bit pricey and don’t wash out. traced), it can be stuck to your felt
the felt, then cut. In this case, I suggest your design using a hoop, then cut out Won’t work on black or dark fabrics. then embroidered through. When
you cut the template roughly from the shape afterwards. you’ve finished, you wash your felt
the paper first (with a 5mm or 1/16in To use (if not in a Cricut maker!) and the paper dissolves.
border all around it), then pin it to To transfer 1. Copy the design onto tracing paper
the felt and finally cut neatly through embroidery patterns or draw over the printed-out design
both. Alternatively you could use… There are many ways to do this, and with the pen (make sure you have OI, OI!
ash
different pens, pencils and adhesive flipped the design if necessary – eg, er to prew
Rememb fo re
FREEZER PAPER b e
sheets suit different types and colours for words or non-symmetrical designs). your felt
method
I love freezer paper. I think it’s of fabric. The following methods work 2. Place paper face down on the felt. using this
common in American supermarkets, best on felt. 3. Press with a warm iron to transfer the
but in the UK it’s mainly found in craft With many Sewyeah embroidery outlines.
stores – which is odd as its primary patterns, I show you a complete Pros You can print designs directly
use is for wrapping meat. The paper guide to what I’ve stitched where, from your computer.
is semi-translucent with one waxed but I suggest you only transfer the Cons I don’t like the way your needle
shiny side. The reason it’s so useful most important stitch lines onto your can get sticky, and it’s hard to see the
for crafts is that the waxed side felt and fill in the rest freehand. This colour of the felt through the sheet.
slightly melts when ironed onto felt, creates a more organic embroidery The felt can become bit flat and stiff
so it sticks, making it easy to cut out and avoids an excess of lines drawn after all the washing.
template shapes. It can also be on the felt that may not get covered
put through an inkjet printer so you by your stitches. TOOT, TOO
T!
can print templates directly onto it. Remembe
r to store th
pens cap ese
Alternatively, as it is slightly translucent, IRON-ON TRANSFER PENS down so th
doesn’t d e ink
you can trace designs through it. While I find the finer the nib, the better ry out!
freezer paper is ideal for transferring the transferred line. You should also
 STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO USING A IR ON ON TRANSFER PEN
TOP TIPS Before you transfer your
WARNING
design to felt, you need to draw it with Experime !
nt with a sm
your iron-on pen. and vario all design
us timings
settings w and heat
ith your iro
the perfec n to get
Remember, anything you draw will be t transfer
reversed when you iron it onto the felt
– this is important for non-symmetrical
designs or words and numbers.

You can either:

1. Draw directly onto your printed-out
design. This works if it is symmetrical.
2. If you have an asymmetrical design
and can see through the paper,
1. Draw the design with an iron-on 4. Before you remove the whole
flip the paper over and trace the
transfer pen. See the tips to the left template, lift up a corner to check
design on the back (hold it up to a
for different ways to do this. Cut it out the design has transferred. If it hasn’t,
light source if necessary – tape it to a
so you have the rough shape of the place it back down and press a bit
window or use a light box).
design. This makes it easier to position longer. Be very careful not to move it.
3. Use a sheet of tracing paper over
on your felt.
the printout and draw directly onto 5. Place the felt in your hoop and
this. This can also help you position tighten the bolt. The felt should be
your design on the felt. drum-tight. You are now ready to go!

2. Place the template face down on 3. Press with a warm iron for about 6. Embroider something lovely. My
the felt. If you’re using a hoop, make 15 seconds. Experiment with a small Joyous Rainbow Sampler is a perfect
sure it fits and there’s enough felt design and various temperatures and project if you are new to embroidery.
around the edge to hold it taut. timings before you commit. (My iron is Visit sewyeahsocialclub.com to buy now!
so small you can hardly see it here!)
 EMBR OIDERY TIPS

Needles
I use a size 4 or 5 needle when I stitch. to give a different thickness to your
This may seem small but the joy of embroidery. This is helpful for smaller
an embroidery needle is that it has areas or more detailed designs. Most
a relatively large hole, and as I often Sewyeah projects use between two
Splitting floss
split my floss into individual strands, it’s 1. To separate out your floss, fold 2. Don’t let go of the rest of the floss.
and four strands. I will always specify
not impossible to thread. a piece in half and hold tightly Pull carefully and not too fast, and
the best number of strands to use.
The smaller the needle, the smaller between your thumb and forefinger the strands should separate cleanly.
Never use a length of embroidery
stitches you can make and the neater just below the loop. Using the needle
floss longer than your arm – it’ll just get
your embroidery will look. I started in your other hand, separate the
tangled! If you’re a newbie, I suggest
with bigger needles, size 2 or 3, and number of strands you need from the
using shorter lengths (40cm or 15in) to
reduced the size as I became more looped section and pull.
make it more manageable.
experienced. When you begin an embroidery
Many packs of needles come in size project, you will need to split your floss
3-9 so you have a nice selection to first (see the box on the right). 1. Begin with a piece of floss twice the To finish
choose from. length you would usually use. If you FLAT KNOT
Beading needles are the same To begin plan to use two strands of floss for the When you’ve completed your
thickness all the way along their shaft There are a few different ways to embroidery, separate one strand from embroidery, finish off on the reverse
so the beads don’t get stuck on them. secure your floss to your fabric. the skein, fold it in half and thread both by passing your needle and thread
They are also slightly bendy, which the raw ends through your needle. through the last stitch you completed
makes it easier to pick up beads and A SIMPLE KNOT but don’t pull it tight. Pass the needle
sequins from a pile. I use a short size 12 The easiest way is to tie a small knot 2. Insert your needle into the felt from and floss through the loop you’ve left
beading needle. at the bottom of your floss. This is the back and pull it through until and tighten. Repeat for extra security,
probably the ‘messiest’ way too as there’s just a small loop on the reverse. then trim.
Embroidery threads you’ll have lots of knots on the reverse Make a tiny stitch back throught e felt
(AKA floss, silks, cottons) of your embroidery, but as many and thread your needle through this
There are a multitude of different Sewyeah projects consist of different loop. Pull tight to secure.
embroidery threads available that pieces of felt sewn together, all the
vary widely in quality and price. I untidy bits will be hidden inside. TINY STITCHES
prefer to use a 100% cotton floss, Pull your needle and floss through
from brands such as DMC, Anchor or A LOOP the felt from the reverse, leaving a
Paintbox. I find they tangle less and If you are stitching something where small tail of floss. Sew a couple of
split more easily. you will see the reverse, this is a tiny stitches on top of each other to
A skein of embroidery floss is made cleaner way to fix your floss to the felt, secure and stitch over the raw end of
up of six thin strands, or plies. You but you need to be working with an the floss. Trim away any excess.
can divide it into separate strands even number of strands.
HIDING THREADS Stuffing
When you join two pieces of felt Some of my favourite Sewyeah
together – for example, sewing one makes are the stuffed animals and
of the Sewyeah 3D animals like Huxley ornaments. I find the best materials
the March Hare or Dina the Dala for stuffing are odd scraps of fabric
Horse – there is a simple way to hide and your felt offcuts. When filling
the floss after you’ve finished stitching. small areas like legs or fiddly angles
This works best right at the end after like chins and corners of houses, I try
stuffing. If you’ve trimmed your floss, I to use thin (15mm or ½in) strips of soft
always worry it may come unravelled, fabric such as cotton or flannel and a
but if you insert the needle and floss pointed stick like a bamboo skewer to
into the body of the make and pull really get the stuffing into the cavity. I
it out at another point, then trim, the use felt offcuts in larger areas such as

stitch
floss will vanish inside and the stitches tummies and middles, then finish off
remain secure. So if you were sewing with more cotton strips.
up a horse and had finished at her While this is a more eco-friendly
bottom, secure the floss by using the way to use up scraps of fabric or old
method above (passing the needle clothes destined for the rag bag, it

guide
and floss under the last stitch a couple also gives your makes a lovely weight
of times), insert the needle and floss and helps keep the sides flat. I find
into her body, bring it out somewhere traditional toy stuffing tends to make
along her side, pull it tight, then trim everything too puffed up and bulbous.
close to the felt. When you release the
floss, it will disappear into her body.

24 of my favourites
 1 2 D
AC
C C
B C
C A AC B D
B B A B
B A AB
Back stitch
Bring your needle up from under your 1 2 3
fabric at A and stitch backwards to B. Try Daisies
to insert the needle back into the fabric Chain stitch Bring your needle out at A and return
as close to the previous stitch as possible. Bring the needle up at A, Return it it back in the same hole (or as close as
Bring your needle out at C, insert it back at B – as close as you can get to A you can at B). Bring the needle back
into the fabric at A and continue. Bullion knots without going into the same hole. Bring out at C and wrap the floss behind
Bring your needle out at A, insert it back the needle out at C (in one move, if the needle. Make a tiny stitch to D,
at B and bring it out again at C. Don’t
1 2 pull the needle all the way through the
comfortable), looping the floss under
the needle. Carefully pull the needle
catching the floss loop as you go.
Don’t pull too tight or you will lose the
felt (1). Wrap the floss around the sharp and floss through the felt until the petal shape. Stitch five petals around
your needle 10 or so times (2). Ideally thread creates a gentle loop. Return a centre point to make a flower, and a
you want the wrapped floss to be as the needle at D and continue. further two to create leaves.
A A long as the initial stitch. Don’t pull too
tightly. Carefully pull the needle through
the wraps of floss holding then down on
3 4 the felt as you go. Arrange them so they 1 2
lay flat. Finish by inserting the needle
back through the felt at B (3).

B A C B A

Couching Fireworks
Blanket stitch Using four strands, sew one long straight Begin by making four straight stitches to
Use this to join separate pieces of felt. stitch from the start to the end of the form a cross (1). Work your way around
Place the two pieces together, edges line you wish to embroider. Do not knot the cross, filling in the spaces between
aligned. Sew a stitch from A over the felt Bugle beads and finish until you have completed with similar straight stitches to create
and back out just beside A (1). Take your These can be sewn individually or in a the second set of stitches. This ensures a circle (2). Always stitch towards the
needle beneath this first stitch from left to row to create shapes. If you’re sewing you’ll have enough thread to follow centre, and vary the length to create
right (2). You just do this step for the first a row, thread as many beads as you and shape the line properly. Take a floss a more organic shape. Leave a small
stitch. Insert the needle from the front at need onto your floss, then hold them in of two strands and make small straight space in the middle – you can fill it with
B through both pieces of felt. Wrap the place with a small stitch over the floss stitches over the previous floss, holding a second colour or bead to make small
thread around the needle (3), then insert between each bead. See seed beads it in place. Vary the overstitching to flowers. These look great sewn with
the needle back at C and repeat (4). for a longer explanation. create different patterns two or more colours.
 Flip this stitch and start

A at the bottom to create

Christmas trees. Make
D 1
C D each stitch smaller as
you go to create the tree

B shape. The tighter you pull C B B

the floss when making the
cross stitch the pointier
G E your fly stitch will be. Seed beads
H These can be sewn on individually with
F A a beading needle and metallic thread
or dressmaking cotton. To cover a larger
C area or sew an outline, the following
1 2 A method is quicker and creates a smother
line. Bring your needle out at the start
Hearts Satin stitch of where you want your beads to go.
Fly stitch These are made in a similar way to daisies. This is a series of parallel stitches that Thread several beads onto the needle.
Begin at the top with a small straight Make a loose stitch from A to B, bring the follow the same direction – diagonal, Occasionally lay the beaded thread
stitch (A-B). Next, make a stitch from needle back out at C and wrap the floss horizontal or vertical – and it’s a great down onto the felt to make sure you
C-D, pulling the floss through the felt behind the needle. Make a tiny stitch to D, way to fill in a large area. For a neat have enough beads to cover the length.
but leaving a loop. Bring the needle catching the floss loop. Repeat to make edge, sew a row of back stitch around Insert the needle back into the fabric
out at E, then return it at F, catching the the other half of the heart. Experiment the shape first (1). Bring the needle out and pull tight. The beaded thread will
loop onto the felt as you go. This is your with the distance between A and B, and at A, return it at B and bring it back out wiggle about on top of the fabric (1).
first stitch. Continue by bringing the also the height of C, to alter the shape at C, pulling the thread through to make Bring the needle back up through the
needle out at E, insert it at F, make a of the heart. Avoid a pointy heart by not the stitch (2). Don’t pull too tight as this fabric and sew tiny stitches between the
stitch from G-H and continue. pulling the floss loop too tight. will lead to puckering. beads and over the thread to hold them
in place (2).

1 2 D
1 2
C C 2
A B
A A BE
A This stitch works
particularly well with

A B Looped back stitch

metallic thread.

Sew a row of back stitch. With a

contrasting colour, bring the needle up
French knot from the back of your felt at A (near the
Bring the needle up from the back of first stitch). Take the needle through the Scallop stitch
your felt. With the needle pointing away second stitch, then loop it backwards Make a loose stitch from A-B and bring
from your work, wrap the floss around through the first stitch (follow the arrows the needle out at C (1). Wrap the floss
the needle twice. Insert the needle back on the illustration). Continue along the behind the needle. Return the needle
Seed stitch
into the felt very close to the original row, making sure the needle passes over into the fabric at D (2), catching the A simple straight stitch that can be
stitch (B). Holding the thread taut, pull the thread of the previous loop each thread in place as you go. Bring the used in many ways. Sew randomly,
the needle through, sliding the knot time. The needle and thread don’t enter needle out at E and continue. Keep the in vertical or horizontal rows, vary
down onto the felt. Pull the thread all the the fabric at any point other than the floss arched by not pulling too tight – the length, angle or density and use
way through the knot to secure. beginning and end of the row. unless you want a zigzag! multiple colours for extra interest.
 1 Threaded back stitch

C
1 A B
Whipped & threaded
2 Straight stitch (running stitch) back stitch
Stem stitch Running stitch is so simple but it can be Threaded Sew a row of back stitch,
This creates a rope effect, making quite a really effective. The most obvious style then, with a contrasting coloured floss,
prominent line of stitching. Make your first is even-length stitches and spaces, but bring your needle up from the back of
stitch from A-B, then bring your needle out consider varying the lengths of both, or the fabric close to the first stitch. Weave
at C (1). Return it at D and out at E, parallel stitch two rows of running stitch, alternating
the needle and floss under the back
to the previous stitch, but halfway along colours. The variations are endless! Straight
stitches. Do not sew through any fabric
(2). Continue. stitch is also used to make cross stitch!
as you go.
Sequins Whipped As before, but wrap the
Two ways to sew on your sequins: floss over a stitch then pass the needle
1. Bring your needle up through your felt, 2 E and floss under the next stitch to
thread on a sequin, then add a small seed C D create a candy-cane pattern.
bead. Take your needle back through B
the sequin hole and into the felt. Pull tight. A
The bead acts as an anchor, holding the
sequin in place. 2. Sew a series of straight
1 2
stitches around the sequin, going through
the hole each time. 1 B Whipped back stitch
C
A

A A A B 1 2
Split back stitch
This stitch is lovely for outlines as it makes
1 2 3 great curves. It also works as a fill stitch for 1 A 2
larger areas. Make your first stitch from A-B.
Bring the needle back up at C (1). Return Trellis stitch Woven wheels
the needle into the felt at D, halfway Working around the outline of the Make five small straight stitches in a
B B B through the stitch you just made, splitting
area you want to fill, make a series of flower shape (1). Bring your needle up
the floss in the process (2).
equidistant horizontal stitches. Repeat from the back of the felt in the middle of
Star stitch
These are made up of three or more
with vertical stitches to form a grid (1). the flower. Without stitching through the
straight stitches. Begin with a vertical Make small diagonal stitches or crosses felt, weave your floss under and over
stitch from A-B (1), then make two shorter over each crossing point (2). Try using the five stitches (2). Carry on, round and
diagonal stitches across it (2). If the star
2 B contrasting colours or less strands. round, until you can’t see the straight
is large, sew a small stitch across the D C Arched windows First, stitch a frame of stitches. Add a bead or different-
middle to hold the others in place (3). A split back stitch. Sew a 45° line across the coloured stitch in the centre of the rose.
Mix with the firework stitch for a beautiful square part of the window (A-B), and use These work with any odd number of
night sky. it as your guide for the rest of the window. straight stitches.