How to make hand embroidered cards + Free PDF pattern for Mother’s Day or Birthday card

Instructions

1. Before we begin, let’s gather all the tools and materials you’ll need for this project. You’ll need a paper card, embroidery floss, pens, scissors, a needle, and a pin. Don’t forget to download the PDF pattern as well.

2. Measure and cut the pattern to the same size as your card. Make sure the flower is positioned in the center.

3. Position the flower pattern over the card on the cardboard or foam board and pin it with some pins on the angles.

4. Poke the holes along the pattern line to position your future stitches. Start with angles and crossing points and distribute the holes evenly.

5. Remove the pattern. Now, you can see the flower outlined with holes for the stitches.

6. Color your flower. I chose bright colors and used alcohol-based markers. You can opt for different mediums, such as watercolors, colored pencils, or other types of markers.

7. To start stitching, use a folded thread method. This involves folding your thread in half and threading the needle through the folded end, creating a loop. This method helps avoid knots.

8. Embroider the outlines of the flower with a Backstitch.

9. Add French Knots to make decorative pistils.

9. To finish stitching, anchor the thread under the previous stitches. This means inserting the needle under a few stitches on the backside of your work before cutting the thread. This will secure your stitches and prevent them from coming loose.

10. Outline the flower and the leaves.

11. To embroider the veins of the leaves, use a single strand of black embroidery floss. To start stitching with a single thread, anchor it under the previous stitches.

12. Write your message inside and send the card!

TIPS:

To keep the back of your hand embroidered cards neat and beautiful, read the article “How to start and end embroidery stitches.” You will learn various techniques for starting and ending stitching without knots.