STEP ONE: 

First, draw a picture.  This is a picture that Britty drew of her new kitten.  She drew it left-handed, even though she is a righty, because her right elbow is broken and in a cast right now.   Pretty good, considering all that!

STEP TWO:

Transfer the design onto any fabric of your choice.  Denim, broadcloth, linen, cross-stitching Aida cloth, burlap, silk, etc.   For the first time, choose a cloth that is light-weight (eg. not denim this time) so the child can insert the needle easily.  Brittany, 8, transferred her design onto a piece of pink linen purchased at the needlework store.  Brenden, 10, transferred his onto inexpensive broadcloth, purchased at the fabric store. 

There are several options for transferring a design.  One idea is to just have the child draw on the fabric in the first place.  If they drew on paper, you may transfer the design via your computer (scan it then print it), use a transfer pencil, or do what we did:  put the drawing under the fabric and simply copy it with a fine-point Sharpie (see Step 4 to view the results).  

For the needle, use a chenille needle or a tapestry needle.  You may also use a plastic child's needle.

STEP FOUR:

Start embroidering!  Choose from hundreds of stitches.  Back Stitch is the most common stitch used for outlining, and was very easy for my children to master.  For filling in small spaces (like the bunny's carrot in another project), we used Satin Stitch. 

STEP FIVE:

When finished, you have lots of options.  Here are a few: 

• Leave the project in a wooden embroidery frame, such as above, and hang it on the wall
• Mat and frame the embroidery (there's a huge debate amongst needleworkers as to whether or not you should use glass in the frame - you choose)
• Turn the artwork into a small pillow
• Use it as a stool cover
  

My children have all requested small pillows for their embroidery projects.  While I am completing the 6yo's pillow, I will help the 10 and 8 yo's do theirs, and so we continue learning!  :) 

Here is proof that boys can embroider, too.....

(he's our just-turned-11-year-old, creating a black and white cartoon character)

If you post your projects, please send me a link!

Lori Seaborg

2006

Posted by DreweLlyn

I don't know what happened with that last comment I tried to post. I wanted to say how clever you are!
Have a great day!

Posted by Anonymous

I made some of these one Christmas... one of my daughter's first drawings of the family, you know, potatoes with arms?! I made that into a pillow! Another nice idea for Christmas gifts is to draw around the child's hand, embroider that and make it into pillows including the name, date and age of your child!

Tiffany

PS love the model with the thread! "D

Posted by lindafay

Hi Lori,

I like this idea. I also like your rug hooking and other crafts link. I plan to make a post this week about handicrafts the CM way. I would like to borrow your link and give you the credit, if you don't mind.

warmly,
linda

Posted by KeepingtheHome

Linda, Permission granted! I posted on your blog, too, in the comments.

Posted by KeepingtheHome

DreweLlyn - thanks for trying twice!

Tiffany - our 3yo is drawing potatoes with arms. So cute!!! She gave me one yesterday that will definitely have to be embroidered.

You reminded me of something I made once -- when our eldest was about 4yo, I had him lay on a piece of flannel material and drew around his body with chalk. I then had an outline of his body that was too eerily similar to the police outlines of people. Anyway-- on to brighter thoughts -- I embroidered around his body with perle cotton and turned the thing into a blanket. He just turned 11 last week and still loves that blanket. He can't believe he was ever so small (he's not the only one who can't believe that!)

Posted by dixiemom

You are just too clever, Lori! That's such a great idea. Mary and Grace learned silk ribbon embroidery at my smocking guild meeting. Ribbon seems to be a little more "forgiving" if you can't quite follow the lines. Plus it makes really pretty flowers.