Valentine's Day Embroidery

Sometimes a project needs something bolder than delicate embroidery.  Fabric paint, heart stencils, and Cotton Pearl #5 embroidery thread were perfect for a Valentine's Day apron. Since I used what I had on hand for the project, which did not include heart stencils, I used heart cookie cutters and freezer paper.  With the shiny side down, the freezer paper heart "stencils" were cut out with small scissors and pressed onto the apron with a hot iron.  The only trick to the fabric paint was to brush the paint from the outer edge of the stencil toward the center to prevent it from bleeding under the edges of the stencil.  I let the paint dry for about four hours, then began stitching.  A basic Running Stitch and Back Stitch to outline the hearts was all that was needed!

I like to keep thread and paints on hand so the cost of the project was the apron for $4.99 at Hobby Lobby.  This would be a great project for someone new to embroidery and easy to do with kids.  You can just let your imagination run wild on what you would like to add hearts to.  A few of the many things I thought of are tote  a bag, onesie, sweatshirt, tea towel, or placemats.  Just have fun with it.

Michie'