OT: Embroidery help - anniversary gift!

[dlpSteve]

I know this is wildly off topic but I can't think of anywhere else to ask where there are people I know! It's our second wedding anniversary ion December 6th which is cotton. I want to do something a bit different and personal so I thought of writing a poem and then embroidering it ontop a piece of cotton material and maybe having it framed. What I need to know is how easy that would be to do for someone who last picked up a needle and thread about 25 years ago to make a teddy bear! Any tips would be greatfully and desperately appreciated - thanks, and as Princess Leia once said "You're my only hope!

 

[diberry]

Oh Steve - you old romantic!!!!! Lucky Denise!!! I think it's a fantastic idea!!! Were you thinking of doing a very simple stitch like backstitch? That would work. Don't make the poem too long though! I'm sure Denise will love it and really appreciate the thought that's gone into it as well as the work!! Shout if you need any help!!

 

[Bexx]

When Ol first met me (many years ago!!), he felt romantically inclined enough to do some lovely embroideries of logos from the musicals. I've been looking at them and I think they are done in a fine tapestry stitch -would that count for a cotton anniversary? He worked out the design on some graph paper first, and although time consuming, I don't think it was too tricky.

 

[dlpSteve]

I don't know what Daisy Stitch is Two Disney characters though which rules!

I don't know what fine tapestry stitch is either - I'm clueless

The poem is 8 lines long. I figured I could write the poem on whatever material I use - some kind of cotton hopefully, and then stitch over the writing in cotton thread.

 

[Bexx]

I don't know what Daisy Stitch is Two Disney characters though which rules!

Very clever!!!

Whatever way you decide to do it, I would recommend you buy a frame to keep the material taut while you stitch.

 

[Bexx]

Here's a guide to Cross Stitch - which is the only one I'm any good at!!

Tapestry is fairly similar. It uses a similar material to work on (I think) but you only do the stitch one way - does that make any sense at all!?!

 

[diberry]

I changed my post to "back stitch" instead of "daisy stitch" Steve as it's much simpler. Here's an explanation http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/stitches/back.html It's good for doing writing. Clever comment about the 2 Disney characters by the way!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Steve, that sounds really ambitious in the timescale you have got and also the fact that you've not sewn for - erm 25 years

Sorry


Good luck, I think that is a very romantic and wonderful idea

 

[dlpSteve]

Thanks for the tips Becky and Di - I will check them out and start figuring out my plan. I'll take a photo if and when I finish so you can see my attempt.

Thanks for the encouragement Karen - I'm hoping to get it done on Saturday - Denise works all day so I am banking on getting it done then, maybe a little naively!

 

[diberry]

Good luck Steve!! I'd LOVE to see the finished product!! Could I just say (and I'm really not trying to put you off but I've done a lot of cross stitich and embroidery over the years) that it will take you much much longer than you anticipate so get cracking as soon as she walks out the door!! GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[tialucy]

Awwwwwww, that is such a sweet thing to do. I can just imagine you stitching away, un picking, starting again, stitching for hours, un picking again..........then throwing the whole thing across the room with frustration and going down to the florist to buy a bunch of flowers!! lol, sorry I couldn't resist. Seriously, Good Luck with it, I hope it comes out perfect. Hope we get to see the finished product.

 

[Ware Bears]

Sorry I can't help with any advice Steve, but I just wanted to give you some encouragement. I think this is such a wonderful, romantic idea and Denise ( as I'm sure she knows LOL) is very lucky to be married to someone as thoughtful as you!

 

[Cyrano]

Steve, lovely romantic thought.
If you were to write the poem is there a craft place that would do the sewing for you?

 

[dlpSteve]

I don't know of any craft places in Exeter - don't have much of anything except mobile phone shops

I'm toying with the idea of drawing/painting onto a piece of cotton material - I'll go to the art shop tomorrow and see what I can pick up.

 

[diberry]

I'm toying with the idea of drawing/painting onto a piece of cotton material - I'll go to the art shop tomorrow and see what I can pick up.

Do you mean instead of embroidering? That sounds like a really good idea especially considering the time scale. The art shop people should be able to help you with some really good ideas too. Good luck!!

 

[dlpSteve]

Do you mean instead of embroidering?

Yes - with the lack of time and requisite skills I thought I may go for something a bit more 'doable'.

 

[NIK]

I would definitely recommend cross stitch - there are all sorts of kits available if you are a bit nervous. You simply have to follow a chart - one square = 1 stitch. I won't say you can't go wrong because I sometimes do but it's mainly making sure you have the correct colour stitch in the correct place and if you can count and follow a chart you shouldn't find it hard.

 

[dlpSteve]

I decided not to go with the sitched writing in the end. I got a piece of cotton material from a material and curtains shop. I then made my way to the craft shop that I never knew existed - I was directed there by the guy in the printers shop! I tried a few pens and bought 2, along with some red wine coloured card (for the background), some glue and some glitter. I then went to Athena and bought a frame.

Back home I did some measuring and cut out the material to the right size. I then used a lighter to burn around the ages to give it a dated look - I hope! Then I wrote the poem onto the material and positioned it in the frame with the card behind it - et voila! This was my second attempt, my first one included glue and glitter but I decided to go with the simplicity of the second attempt.

 

[Cyrano]

Oh you romantic. I'm sure Denise will love it

 

[diberry]

That is absolutely brilliant Steve!!! I love the effect of the "aged" edging and the colour of the background card. It's a lovely poem too - not sloppy but funny and obviously heartfelt. She's a lucky girl!!!