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Bee Mine

You will need:

  • Habico 15cm handmade felt squares
  • 12cm silver capped tassel
  • Large eyed needle
  • Pearl cotton embroidery threads
  • 10mm solid jump ring
  • 4mm satin ribbon
  • 2mm silk ribbon
  • Scissors/pins

To make:

I used ‘neutral’ coloured felt squares so the bees ‘popped’. Fold the first square in half and cut out a heart shape for the front. Use a heart template/heart cutter if you don’t feel confident cutting by hand. Pin this to a second square and cut out the back so they are the same shape and size. Keep the scraps for later.

The designs above show two versions – a heart-shaped swarm and a heart outline. The bee is created using a bullion knot which is an elongated French knot and gives a lovely 3D effect.

The above stitch guide takes you through the stages. Using black thread, bring the needle up through (A) and down through (B) – about 1cm - bring the needle back up at (A). Wind the thread (A) to (B) around the strand until it is fully covered – it is much easier using the eye of the needle to do this.  Repeat until you have built up a nicely rounded 3D body shape. Take the thread down to the back (don’t cut off as you will continue using this until it runs out). Next, take a length of yellow thread, bring up through the felt and wind round the formed bee body and back down again to secure (again don’t cut off and continue till it runs out).

When all your bee bodies are finished in a recognisable heart shape add the wings using silk ribbon in different positions. Bring the ribbon up from the back, flatten to the length needed and thread it back onto itself through to the back, repeat for the second wing and secure off.

Starting with the ‘v’ at the top join the front and back. Using a blanket stitch, sew both pieces together using a contrasting thread colour. When you reach the bottom point sew in the tassel. Cut the scraps into smaller pieces and stuff the inside. Continue to blanket stitch the other side. Sew on the jump ring at the ‘v’ and fasten off the thread securely. Add a length of ribbon through the jump ring, knot and cut off ribbon at an angle to prevent fraying.

You could finish off by embroidering a sentiment to the back if preferred (bee mine, bee-you-tiful, bee kind, bee mindful etc) or in the centre of the heart outline version. I preferred mine without.

Two smaller versions can be made from one felt square by cutting it into quarters, a great size for a bag charm. Bullion stitch is also perfect to create other shapes - more examples are below. I hope you enjoy a bit of mindful stitching.

Project by Gillian Cain, Bowes Belles WI (Tyne & Wear South Federation) | https://www.facebook.com/gillcrafts