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When they finally appeared, many people thought they were unnecessary, impractical and even scandalous
Fern stitch embroidery is a fabulous technique that can be used with a variety of projects – they’re like little lavender sprigs that work well in loads of ways, be it used as a design focal point or a subtle embellishment. We show you how to make this sweet stitch, then use it to make our special scissor case pattern!
You will need
- Linen fabric: 25x45cm (10x18in)
- Lining fabric: 15x35cm (6x14in)
- Press fastener
- Stranded cotton in a selection of colours
- Embroidery hoop
- Matching thread
- Basic sewing kit
Notes
Use a 5mm (1/4in) seam allowance.
You will need to download and print the Fern stitch embroidery scissors case template
8-10cm (3-4in) embroidery scissors fit nicely within this case, but you can adjust the pattern size to fit different scissors.
Fern Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
You will need
- Linen fabric
- Lining fabric
- Press fastener
- DMC stranded cotton
- Embroidery hoop
- Matching thread
- Basic sewing kit
Method
1
Work this stitch along a straight or curved line, working from top to bottom. Come up a short distance from the line and bring the needle down through the fabric on the line, forming an angled stitch.
2
Come up from the back on the line and then go back down on the line in the same hole as the end of the first stitch.
3
Come up a short distance on the other side of the line and bring the needle back down through the same ending hole of the first two stitches.
4
Repeat this cluster of three stitches.
Scissor case pattern
Cutting out
Step one Cut the linen fabric as follows:
Front: 20x25cm (8x10in).
Back: 11x17cm (43/8×63/4in).
Transferring the design
Step one
Download and print the Fern stitch embroidery scissors case template
Step two
Place the template centrally underneath the linen fabric front, then trace over the design lines and case outline.
Embroidering the ferns
Step one
Using three strands of stranded cotton throughout, embroider the fern stitch motif on the linen using different colours for each row.
Step two
Use fern stitch at the tops of the lines and back stitch at the bases. Work the lines from the outside in to create the overlap.
Making the front and back
Step one
Press the embroidered fabric then cut out along the drawn scissor case outline.
Step two
Trace the scissor case outline onto the linen back fabric and twice onto the lining fabric then cut along the drawn lines. Mark the small dot onto the lining fabric pieces.
Step three
Sew the front and back of a press fastener to the lining pieces at the marked dots.
Step four
Place the embroidered linen front RS facing with one lining piece and sew together, leaving a small turning gap in the top.
Step five
Repeat this with the linen back and other lining piece.
Step six
Clip the corners and turn RS out.
Step seven
Fold the turning gap of each piece to the inside then press.
Step eight
Slip stitch the turning gap closed.
Step nine
Work a running stitch across the top edge of both the front and back pieces.
Assembling the scissor case
Step one
Pin the front and back pieces together.
Step two
Stitch together down the sides with running stitch.
Step three
Place your scissors in the case and snap it closed to finish.
