Techniques of almost any kind are something I love to incorporate into my scrap-related crafting, but the added touch of hand stitching gives me joy down to my tippy-toes! I believe that little personal touches leave a clue to future viewers about who you are and why you treasure preserving memories.
Let me show you this layout from the “Leap Ahead in Your Scrapbooking” article in the March/April 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.
Smooches by Becky Olsen, as seen in the March/April 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine, page 57.
I incorporated lots of stitching in this layout, both by hand and by machine, but I want to draw your attention to the “leap ahead” technique featured in the article.
Stitching with multiple threads is a little time consuming, but not difficult; with patience (and maybe catching up on a favorite TV show!) you will have a wonderful, textured frame ready for your next layout. Ready for a step-by-step tutorial? Let’s begin!
Step 1: Measure
Begin by determining the size of your frame. Using a ruler, draw lines around the edge with an erasable pencil, marking with a dot every ¼”, adjusting the distance between dots based on the size of your frame.
Step 2: Punch
I used an eyelet tool from Making Memories to punch my holes, but you could also use a very small handheld punch.
Step 3: Stitch
Thread your needle with multiple threads. The two types that I selected for this project are fine black twine and silver embroidery floss. To facilitate threading the needle, I wrapped the ends with a little tape to contain and smooth the fibers so they would fit through the eye without catching.
Insert the needle from the back to the front, then tape the tail of the threads down to the back of the frame. Weave the needle in and out through the punched holes, carefully pulling the threads through the holes.
When you have gone all the way around, skip to the next empty space and re-insert the needle into the hole, trying to not go through the fibers that were already there. Stitch around the perimeter, filling it all in. When you get to the end, pull the needle through to the back side. Tape off the threads near the last hole, then trim.
It has been fun to share this technique with you, and thanks for stopping by!
P.S. Creating Keepsakes has partnered with the local Utah TV show Studio 5 to feature creative spaces. If you live in Utah and have an amazing space, big or small, snap some photos and enter the Amazing Space contest! Entries are due by Friday, March 30.
Gorgeous layout Becky! I adore all that stitching!