BetterDayBooksWinter2024

STITCHES • Split backstitch • Backstitch • Straight stitch • French knot • Satin stitch SUPPLIES • 5" embroidery hoop • 8” x 8" piece of your chosen fabric • 1 skein each of gray, mustard, light-apricot, blue, dark-brown, and forest-green loss • Embroidery scissors • Embroidery needle • Transfer materials (page 20) • Finishing materials (page 26) • Pattern (page 167) I want to transport you to a happy place with our final project! Think of your favorite spot in nature, a national or state park, or a preserve with a beautiful view. Imagine the crisp air, fragrant scent of evergreen pines, cool flowing water, and warm sunshine. Do you feel peaceful and serene here? Or refreshed, or energized? For many of us, a walk or hike through a forest trail can make us feel grounded and even humbled to be surrounded by towering evergreens and mountains and to think of all the years they have been here before us. I hope this final embroidery project brings some of those feelings and memories to you today and anytime you take a look at your finished piece. Find your happy place, whether it’s your cozy home, a favorite park, or a coffee shop, and settle in to stitch! ■ TIP: Create the fluffy clouds by making very full French knots. Experiment with wrapping the floss around your needle two to five times or more. Try altering the tension of the floss to make the knots loose. You can also use your needle to gently pull at a finished knot to make it more fluffy. My Happy Place 136 137 8 5 9 6 10 7 Brilliant But terfly STEP 5: Stitch the antennae. Using two strands of black floss, backstitch the butterfly’s antennae. STEP 6: Stitch the outline and wing details. Using two strands of black floss, backstitch the outline of the butterfly. Then add straight stitches over top of the orange and yellow floss of the wings to create the detail lines. STEP 7: Stitch the greenery. Using four strands of yellow-green floss, outline several pieces of the greenery with fern stitch. Then, use four strands of bright-green floss to outline the remaining pieces of greenery with fern stitch. STEP 8: Stitch the florals. Using three strands of salmon floss, add three pistil stitches to each of the four floral bunches. Then, use three strands of coral floss to fill in the remaining stitches in the floral bunches. See page 146 for a detailed description of the pistil stitch. STEP 9: Fill in the suns. Using three strands of mustard floss, fill in the two suns with satin stitch. STEP 10: Fill in the moons. Using three strands of ivory floss, fill in the two moons with satin stitch. 134 TIP: This project is easily adapted for all skill levels. Try simplifying it by stitching the entire pattern with outline stitches like backstitch and straight stitch using one color of floss, as shown in orange and white on page 75. QUICK REFERENCE Pink Buds Salmon | French knots | 6 strands Branches Yellow green | Fern stitch | 3 strands Leaves Bright green | Leaf stitch | 4 strands Stems Bright green | Stem stitch | 3 strands Flower Centers Dark brown | French knots | 6 strands Flower Petals Orange | Satin stitch | 4 strands Flower Petals Coral | Satin stitch | 4 strands Flower Petals Yellow | Satin stitch | 4 strands Banner Black | Whipped backstitch | 2 strands Salmon colored pencil Text Black | Backstitch | 2 strands 72 Detailed instructions to ensure successful results Overview charts to make planning easy Inviting photography to inspire A sweet and sunny way to learn embroidery! Readers will stitch on the bright side with these sixteen adorable embroidery projects for absolute beginners and beyond. Written by popular fiber art designer and author Celeste Johnston, author of Freshly Stitched , this book features uplifting projects that focus on positive messages, the beauty of nature, and simple pleasures. From fresh florals and farmer’s market favorites to adorable chickens and nature scenes, readers will be smiling with every stitch. Each project includes a detailed reference photograph, step-by-step instructions, a full-sized perforated pattern, and everything you need to know about stitches, thread, and materials. AVAILABLE: Now! PRICE: $22.99, £20.99, 31.99 CAD FORMAT: Hardcover SIZE: 7.75" × 9.5" (197 x 241mm) PAGE COUNT: 168 ISBN: 978-0-7643-6414-3 ț 16 cheerful embroidery projects that build reader’s skills. ț Easy-to-follow stitch diagrams for each project. ț A deluxe package with hardcover binding and thick matte paper. ț Full-sized, perforated project patterns for easy tear-out. SunnyStitches Sweet & Simple Embroidery Projects for Absolute Beginners By CELESTE JOHNSTON