Mini cactus embroidery – the cutest patterns to stitch today

Green-fingered friends and fellows, this is the embroidery project for you. The incredible Sonia Lyne of Dandelyne has created two mini cactus embroidery patterns for you to download, transfer and stitch.

These classic cacti patterns will look great hanging from the wall or even added to a birthday card – they’re so small you can do endless things with them. Cactus earrings, anyone?

Sonia’s mini cactus embroidery patterns are great for beginners since they’re tiny and use basic stitches throughout. If you’re new to the world of embroidery, don’t worry. Check out our embroidery for beginners guide and our complete collection of embroidery stitches. They’ll show you step by step how to create every stitch used.

• Enjoy roar-some stitching: quick & easy dinosaur embroidery patterns to try
• Stitch your own jewellery: make our DIY embroidered pendant
• 10 simple and small embroidery designs to stitch today

You’ll need:

• Cactus templates (you’ll need to scroll to the last page in the PDF)
• 7.5cm (3″) embroidery hoop
• Felt or card approximately 6cm (23/8″) square (optional)
• Strong craft glue

Mini cactus embroidery pattern

Step 1

Iron your fabric, then transfer the designs onto your fabric. You can use carbon paper, or sticky-tape the design to a window and trace over onto your fabric. Leave about 7mm (¼”) of fabric around the edge of your hoop so you can secure your design to the centre plate later.

Step 2

Place your design into a 7.5cm (3″) embroidery hoop. Don’t worry if you don’t have one – the designs are small and can be stitched without one.

Step 3

Choose your colour threads. We used three strands of thread throughout the design, but feel free to use fewer for a finer look or more for a bolder look. Thread your needle with your first colour.

Step 4

Time to start stitching your first design. We used the following stitches: cactus trunk and arms –satin stitch, stripes on trunk and arms – satin stitch, cactus pot – satin stitch, flowers on top – two or three lazy daisy stitches, cactus pot design – cross stitch. Finish off with backstitch in corresponding colours around each design.

Step 5

Now start stitching your second design. We stitched ours as follows: dashed lines on pot – running stitch (aqua), chain lines on pot – chain stitch (orange), base lines on pot – backstitch x four stitches and two rows (pink), pot outline – backstitch, cactus lines – backstitch, spikes on cactus – straight stitches (one strand), flower on top – three lazy daisy stitches (six strands).

Step 6

Position the miniature hoop on your design and draw a cutting line 7mm (¼”) around the hoop. Cut out along the line.

Step 7

Place the design on the centre plate, then position the miniature hoop on top and push it down to secure. Flip it over, apply some strong craft glue around the inner edge and then push the fabric down in a circular motion.

Step 8

Tighten the nut and bolt to secure your design.

Leave the glue to dry. You may then want to back your design by glueing on a circle of felt or card. Find a spot to display your piece in, or add it to a necklace chain for a quirky piece of jewellery.

Cute cacti!

And you’re done! You’ve turned Sonia’s mini cactus embroidery patterns into reality.

More nature-inspired embroidery patterns

If you’ve caught the embroidery bug, then head over to our mushroom embroidery design.

Sonia Lyne

Sonia Lyne fell in love with embroidery at the age of 7, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she took up the needle and hoop once more and returned to her early passion. Sonia is famous for her mini embroidery hoops, she makes them into jewellery and home decorations. She founded her business Dandelyne where she sells ‘make it yourself’ mini embroidery hoops on Etsy in a variety of beautiful designs. Sonia also runs her own clothing line called Boho Dandelyne where she sells beautiful lightweight and boho style clothing for women. If that wasn’t enough Sonia has written a book called Mini Hoop Embroideries which shows you how to create over 60 tiny masterpieces in a wide range of styles, thanks to the small size of these hoops, and almost all the designs can be made in a weekend.
Insta https://www.instagram.com/dandelyne
Etsy https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/dandelyne

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