This free pattern to hand embroider. It is a very is a simplified kaleidoscope / mandala like design. You could outline and leave the outer areas blank or fill them with embroidery. I left outer areas open deliberately so that stitchers could use those spaces to explore fills, patterning or even some of the pulled thread stitches. Or you could browse my Stitch Dictionary and see what stitches catch your eye.
This pattern is an opportunity to explore stitches. These are a few suggestions for stitches you can use. For the outline, stitches you could use are Chain Stitch or if you wanted a slightly stronger line you can experiment with Whipped Chain Stitch. If you wanted to be very dramatic or for a thicker line still you could try Raised Chain Band. Or you if you want to use some novelty yarns or metallic threads is to couch the thread to the foundation fabric. The four squares in the middle of the design I would fill with a stitch such as Satin Stitch, Algerian Eye or Eastern Stitch. For the leaf like shapes I would use Cretan stitch.
As I say these are suggestions and really meant to provoke ideas. If you need to know how to trace an embroidery pattern to fabric check out my tutorial.
What to do with the finished piece? You could make it up into something such as panel for a small bag. If you worked this on a small disk it could be a Christmas tree decoration design.
Thread Twisties!
Experimenting with different threads can be expensive. You would normally have to buy a whole skein of each type of thread. My thread twisties are a combination of different threads to use in creative hand embroidery. These enable you to try out stitching with something other than stranded cotton. For the price of just a few skeins, you can experiment with a bundle of threads of luscious colours and many different textures.
These are creative embroiderers’ threads. With them, I hope to encourage you to experiment. Each Twistie is a thread bundle containing silk, cotton, rayon, and wool. Threads range from extra fine (the same thickness as 1 strand of embroidery floss) to chunky couchable textured yarns. All threads have a soft and manageable drape. Twisting them around a needle makes experimental hand embroidery an interesting journey rather than a battle. Many are hand-dyed by me. All are threads I use. You may find a similar thread twist, but no two are identical.
You will find my thread twisties in the Pintangle shop here.
Thank you Sharon for posting these free bees on Fridays. I am printing out some of them and storing them away. Some day they will appear in my work, who knows.
I like best the Art Nouveau stile – but the others are also nice.