Embroidered Barbed Wire ATC using a backstitch how to from the book: Greeting Cards In Stitches

My two favorite things come together in this super fun book:

Greeting Cards in Stitches: 30 Designs with Hand-Embroidered Embellishments
by
Sharon and Kristin Jankowicz

Clever greeting cards, embellished with hand stitching, are so unique they'll become keepsakes!

The fabulous mother-daughter design duo has created 30 original cards for all occasions, including holidays, birthdays, births, graduations, anniversaries, get well, thank you, congratulations, and general note cards.

A detailed basics section includes general embroidery information plus an overview of all the techniques and tools necessary for embroidering on paper. Embroidery stitches are taught with watercolor how-to illustrations, step-by-step instructions, and close-up photos. Full-size patterns for all projects are provided for easy transfer.

Also included is a website link to download the patterns so you can print them directly on your special paper.

Embroidering on paper and card stock is a relatively new idea, and this book hits the market as the cross-over craft gains momentum.
Fresh, original card designs have wide appeal.
Only book available dedicated to cards that feature hand-embroidery.
Link to site for downloading patterns

Sharon and Kristin Jankowicz, mother and daughter, are also the authors of  Embroidery to Embellish Everything and Say It with Stitches. Their designs are clever and very creative! Sharon and Kristin design for the craft industry. Each a graphic artist and passionate needle-crafter, together they are a creative collaboration between Baby Boom and Generation X.

Not only is full of great projects, there are some great tips and techniques. There is one about using plastic canvas as a template to make perfectly spaced stitches is beyond fabulous posted here. I love when a simple item from the craft stash can be repurposed into a super-useful tool to make crafting easier!

So today I had an idea about stitching a barbed wire ATC and so off to what else? Why my copy of Greeting Cards in Stitches: 30 Designs with Hand-Embroidered Embellishments

Click on this image to see how to sew a backstitch. In addition to the backstitch how-to, there is a how-to to sew a woven backstitch.

Here is my barbed wire embroidered ATC:

How I did it:
First I drew a light pencil line on the back and front of the card in the same place. I did this because the backstitch requires you to put the needle through the paper from both sides and when you are stitching paper the hole is permanent, not like with fabric.

I then sewed the backstitch along the line.

With a new piece of floss (I am using 3 strands of gray) I made two random stitches in a "V" shape, with one leg of the "V" on each side of the backstitch line.

I then did 4-5 satin stitches, satin stitches are simply horizontal stitches parellel to each other.

Then I did another "V' stitch in the opposite direction.

I repeated this two more times.

I then die cut a tag and then the letter B attaching it with a brad.

Then I stamped the rest of the word with tiny letter stamps.

So if you are any kind of paper crafter and like your stitching too, this book is for you! (oooh I made a rhyme, a bit of a departure from the bad puns for me!)

You know what's coming next, the question:

What is the wackiest thing you have stitched, thought of stitching, or would like to stitch?

And as usual, our thanks for sharing and leaving a comment, you'll be entered to win a free book!

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OK, off to go make something.....as always I'll keep you in the loop!

Comments

[Diana B]

I don't know if I have thought of something wacky to stich - I don't think stitching on paper is wacky - but that is about the oddest thing I do rather than stitching on cloth.

[Norma Soulet]

What an unsual item to use on a card but I love it!
I love working outside the box so that is right up my alley! :)
Thanks for sharing it.

[Ina Ftacek]

The oddest stitching I have done is in booklets and putting them together and some embroidery and on atcs stitching...also some paper dollsfor art dolls...but artists donz't find this sooo wacky but someone else might!!!LOL> Hugs,Ina

[Pat Upton]

The wackiest thing I have stitched is an old stuffed animal that had been loved nearly to death! I have also tried to stitch together a broken sandal (it didn't hold for very long though!). I would love to win!
Pat

[Judy in Iowa]

I've never tried stitching on paper so i may just try it! That does sound strange to me. =) Thanks for the tutorial. HUGS, Judy

[Melissa]

I am new to stitching & have fallen in love with it. I have done cross stitch for about 20 yrs but that is it. I have started doing stitching on my ATC's & chunky book pages & I have been loving it! I LOVE the barbed wire, I am going to try it out today! Thank you for the chance to win the book, I do hope I win!!! :)

[Kathy]

I have used the patterns for stitching on paper and transferred them to fabric to make a postcard.

[Lori Northon]

The wackiest thing I stitched was all my fingers on one hand together when I was about 12 or 13! I just went through the first or top layer of skin on the tips of my fingers. It didn't hurt a bit! It was actually an experiment to see if I could do it. I showed my mom, and she about passed out! I thought it was sooooo funny! This is probably not something I'd ever do again now, but it really put a smile on my face thinking about it. I'm really into all sorts of stitching both by hand and by machine. there are so many things that can be done if you just put a little thought into it. I LOVE what you've done with your Barbed Wire ATC. You really have made me think. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation!

[julie m]

The barbed wire stitching is great. I haven't had any wacky thoughts about stitching yet. Haven't done any craft stitching yet. But when I start I will most likely do something a bit outside the box.

[Cyndi - Dreams Unltd]

My "wacky" thought isn't this type of stitching, but the idea gave me food for thought. I nephew's girlfriend is knitting a scarf that is a spiral, it looks like that spiral pasta, except its made from burgundy velour yarn, which isn't very stretchy. I'm thinking that I could make it narrower out of something earthy (like twine or ???) and use it to wrap around a canvas like a frame! I got the pattern from her but haven't had a chance to try it yet!