‘Bloom’: Stick and Stitch Embroidery Pack Launch

Hello loves

‘Bloom’, my first stick and stitch dissolvable embroidery pack is now available. You can buy it here in my new shop! I am constantly inspired by flowers and botanicals and with this pack, I have dreamt up my own. Each pack contains 9 imagined, hand-drawn botanicals and 1 word, ‘bloom’, plus brief instructions and a visual gallery of the designs. The cello bag is compostable and the insert and label are recyclable.

There are so many possibilities of projects you can stitch up with these dissolvable patches, from standalone works of embroidered art to pieces that can be attached to cards. I will be popping back to the blog at points with tutorials for specific projects to help you along on your embroidery journey. But for now, here is some general info and guidelines about the patches:

Each image is printed onto a self-adhesive, fabric-like, water-soluble stabiliser. To use a patch, peel off the backing and stick to fabric.

Depending on your project, you may want to mount your fabric into an embroidery hoop for stitching. I usually add a second piece of light weight fabric or interfacing behind the main fabric for added stability. This can always be trimmed once you have completed your stitching.

Stitch as desired. I have captioned the images below to give you an idea of some of the stiches I have used. You tube is great for visual tutorials of everything, including embroidery!

Back stitch mostly, straight stitch for small standalone stitches such as the leaf veins,
french knots for the middle of the flower on the right

Flower on the left: Fishbone stitch for petals and leaves, french knots for flower middle, whipped back stitch for stalk. Flower on right: Diagonal satin stitch for flower sections, lazy daisy stitch for upper flower details, fishbone stitch for leaves, whipped back stitch for stalks.

Fishbone stitch for leaves, whipped back stitch for stalk

Lazy daisy stitches for leaves, back stitch for stalks

Back stitch mostly, straight stitch for small individual stitches, french knots for flower middle

These are all stitched simply (mostly back stitch) to fabric which has been fused (using fusible webbing) to 1mm thick wool felt and then cut out. I’m going to create cards, tags and decorations.

Once you have completed your stitching, soak the whole piece in cold water (not warm or hot!). Leave in the water, refreshing it if necessary, for 20 – 90 minutes depending on thread coverage. It may also help to gently stroke your embroidery to dislodge the stabiliser. I love stroking my threads!

Once all the stabiliser has dissolved, rinse briefly and dry flat on a towel.

If necessary, once dry, press the back of your fabric with a hot iron on it’s steam setting, being careful not to press too hard over the embroidery to avoid flattening it.

If you have any questions about the pack, please do get in touch! If you purchase a pack and you stitch any of the designs, do tag me on Instagram @lucyludreams. I’d love to see what you make!

Love and warmth always,

Lu xxxxxxxxxxx