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When they finally appeared, many people thought they were unnecessary, impractical and even scandalous
There’s nothing like tucking into a refreshing ice cream on a hot summer’s day, so celebrate the great British summer with this cute ice cream embroidery! Bring those summer vibes straight into your home, or gift it to a friend who loves ice cream.
The ice cream embroidery features eight miniature ice cream and ice lolly designs, all in a bright mixture of colours and stitches. You’ll see some firm retro favourites on there, that will certainly bring you some nostalgia (and a craving for a 99), or a twister, or maybe both!
This design is suitable for beginners and would be a great way to practice lots of different stitches on small designs. It’s a super satisfying way to stitch because you start seeing the outcome of your work really quickly! If you are new to embroidery or need a little refresher on the basics, take a look at our embroidery for beginners guide, which contains everything you need to get started on your project today.
The ice cream embroidery was designed by Matilda Smith and was originally published in Love Embroidery magazine issue 4.
Embroidery stitches key for the ice cream embroidery
- Satin stitch – how to do satin stitch
- Stem stitch – Stem stitch embroidery
- Backstitch – how to backstitch
- Straight stitch – straight stitch embroidery
- Split stitch – how to do a split stitch
- Long and short stitch – Work alternate long and short stitches for the first row – the short stitches should be half the length of the long stitches. Bring the needle up at 1, down at 2, up at 3, down at 4, and so on. Subsequent rows are worked with the stitches all the same length, equal to the long stitches in the first row.
For more help with stitches, head over to our useful embroidery stitches library.
Ice cream embroidery fact box:
- Stitches: Backstitch, Long and Short Stitch, Satin Stitch, Split Stitch,
Straight Stitch - Fabric: Cotton fabric: 40x40cm, white
- Cotton: Stranded cotton: light apricot, dark apricot, blue, chocolate, lemon, light mauve, dark mauve, mint, orange, pink, raspberry, vanilla
- Embroidery hoop: 18cm diameter
- Basic embroidery kit
Free ice cream embroidery template
You’ll also need the free ice cream embroidery template.
Free ice cream embroidery step-by-step
You will need:
- Cotton fabric
- Stranded cotton
- Embroidery hoop
- Basic embroidery kit
Step 1
Transfer the ice cream embroidery design from the template onto the centre of the fabric using your preferred method.
Watermelon lolly: work the watermelon flesh in Long and Short Stitch using three strands of raspberry. Add a row of Backstitch around the edge using the same thread, then keep stitching rows inside the previous row of stitches until you reach the centre. Work the rind in Satin Stitch using three strands of mint. Work the pips as Straight Stitches using two strands of chocolate and the stick in Satin Stitch using two strands of dark apricot.
Step 2
Chocolate lolly: work the ice cream using three strands of chocolate. Work the front section in vertical rows of Split Stitch and the sides in horizontal rows of Satin Stitch. Work the chocolate chips as pairs of Straight Stitches using two strands of beige. Stitch the stick in the same way as step 3 of the ‘Treats purse’.
Step 3
Neapolitan lolly: work the lolly in vertical Satin Stitch using three strands of chocolate, pink, then light mauve. Work the Straight Stitch sprinkles using three strands of light apricot. Work the stick as before.
Step 4
Cherry-topped cone: fill the cone in Satin Stitch using two strands of dark apricot and add
the detail in Straight Stitch using two strands of chocolate. Work the ice cream in Satin Stitch using three strands of light apricot, then work the sauce in Long and Short Stitch using three strands of light mauve. For the cherry, work Satin Stitch using two strands of raspberry, and work the stem in Straight Stitch using two strands of chocolate.
Step 5
Whipped cone: Work the cone in Straight Stitch using two strands of chocolate. Work the ice cream in Satin Stitch using three strands of vanilla.
Use two strands of chocolate as Straight Stitches to make the sprinkles.
Step 6
Rocket-shaped lolly: work the lolly in Satin Stitch using two strands of raspberry, then orange with lemon at the bottom. Work the stick as before.
Step 7
Spiral lolly: Work Satin Stitch using three strands to work the sections, alternating between blue and lemon. Work the stick as before.
Step 8
Mint choc lolly: Fill the green section with rows of Split Stitch using three strands of mint worked from the outside inwards. Work the bottom section in Satin Stitch using two strands of chocolate. Work the sprinkles as Straight Stitches using two strands of chocolate. Stitch the stick as before.
Ice cream embroidery that looks good enough to eat!
We hope you loved the ice cream embroidery as much as we do! Don’t forget to get yourself a real one (or two) whilst on your trips to the beach this summer.
More summery embroidery designs you’ll love
If you loved the summer feeling this embroidery gave you, try some of our other free summer patterns. The pineapple embroidery will add a little tropical flair to your day.
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