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Empowered women, empower women embroidery

A white hoop in a wooden frame with multicoloured polka dot detail stitched around the edges and the words 'Empowered women empower women' in the middle

You will need:

  • Sharp needle
  • 100% cotton such as Klona cream cotton.
  • 5 inch embroidery hoop
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Embroidery thread (the original colours used are stated in the stitch guide)
  • Stitch guide
  • Pattern

Transferring your pattern to the fabric

There are many ways to transfer your embroidery pattern to the fabric. The simplest way is to tape your pattern to a window, place the fabric on top and trace using a pencil.

To make

1. Once you have transferred your pattern onto the fabric take your embroidery hoop and loosen the screw. Remove the outer ring. Take both pieces of fabric, 1 on top of the other with the patterned 1 on top. Place both pieces on top of the inner ring so the pattern is centred. Press the outer ring until it sits flush with the inner ring and tighten the screw. Pull the fabric at the edges gently so there is no sagging. Tighten the screw as much as possible. (You may need to gently pull and tighten throughout sewing)

2. Prepare your thread. All embroidery thread contains 6 strands. The stitch guide will state how many strands you are using for each area cut approx. 10 to 12 inches of thread at a time. Cut a piece of colour DMC 803. For the first step you will be using 2 strands. Run your finger down the threads as you separate to minimise tangling. Tie a knot in 1 end of the thread, going over it a couple of times to bulk it out and then thread your needle.

3. When your thread is ready, begin back stitching the words ‘Empowered’ and ‘empower’. When choosing which direction to sew the letters you may find following the way you would naturally write them helpful.

4. Cut your thread colour DMC 718 and separate a single strand. When using a single strand you will need to tie a large knot to prevent it coming through the fabric when you begin sewing. Back stitch the words ‘women’ both times. As this involves a lot of tight curves you will need to keep your stitches quite small.

5. Now you are ready to begin your french knots! Separate 2 strands of DMC colour 803 and thread your needle. Following the instructions in the stitch guide you are going to create a ring of french knots that go all around the edge of the hoop. The most important part about sewing french knots is to use both hands and not let go of the thread after you have wrapped it around the needle until the last second before all the thread has gone back through the fabric. Work your way around the hoop in 1 colour first leaving approx. 2 to 3cm between each knot and varying how close to the edge of your hoop you sew all the way around. Repeat this all the way around in colours DMC 718, 740,  444, 321 or any other colours of your choice. Once complete you should have an even ring of knots around the edge you can use the example photo for reference..

6. Tidying up your hoop. Double check that your screw is as tight as it will go and pull the excess fabric gently so there is no sagging fabric. Trim the excess fabric so there is roughly 1 inch of fabric left surrounding the hoop in a circle (don’t worry if it is not neat. You won’t see it!) Choose any colour thread and cut a piece that is more than long enough to go around the edge of the hoop. Separate off 4 stands of thread. Knot 1 end with a very large knot and thread your needle. Then close to the outer edge of the excess fabric sew large stitches straight forward in a ring. Once you are all the way around pull the thread so that all the fabric gathers into the centre. Then tightly knot and cut the excess thread away.

7. Backing your hoop. If you wish to put a tidy back on your hoop there are many ways including gluing sheets of card or fabric on the back. My preference is to cut a circle of felt to the same size as the hoop and sew through the fabric on the back of the hoop and the felt to attach them together. This can be done using a whip stitch or blanket stitch.