Tutorial: Hand Stitching

Hi Everyone! Becky here with a tutorial for you. I am a big fan of stitching on projects. I like to use my sewing machine, but I also really like to use hand-stitching with floss for a more pronounced, thick stitch. It’s a great way to emphasize an embellishment or title, add contrast and texture.
 
Whenever I decide to use hand-stitching and particularly an outline or backstitch, I pre-poke the stitching holes. It makes such a difference when stitching on paper.
 
To backstitch, simply pull your thread from the back of the paper through to the front. Rather than knot the thread, I usually leave a tail on the backside and tack it down with a small piece of tape. Then go down through the next hole. Stitching in paper is slightly different than fabric, since it’s not possible to do a full stitch. It’s a process of up and down again, rather than being able to pull the thread from back to front.
 
It’s also fun to include french knots as a little detail. I created a french knot on the small flower sticker at the bottom of the page. To make a french knot, simply bring the needle up through the paper from the back to the front, keeping it taut. I would secure the thread with a small piece of tape. Then wrap the thread around the needle three or four times, continuing to hold the thread taut. Push the needle with the thread wrapped around back down through the paper right next to the hole where the thread came up. Then secure the thread to the back with another small piece of tape.
 
Another fun little embellishment on this layout, are the little ribbon flowers. They are simple twist and roll flowers that I made using the Glue Arts Extreme Adhesive Squares. To make them, I just cut a square of the adhesive off the roll and then made a ribbon knot that I stuck on the center of the adhesive and then twisted and rolled to fill the rest of the adhesive. They’re tiny, but sweet.
 
I hope if you haven’t tried hand-stitching or twist and roll flowers, that you will give it a try! I would love to see what you make, so please post your projects on the OA Flickr Pool.