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We've got a new tutorial you simply "mush" try! Maker Team member Kelly of @bykellyjo has designed Mushroom Hoop Art that combines basic embroidery with different floss types, felt and a sprinkling of beads. The result is a textural fairy wonderland! Toss your supplies in a project bag to stitch poolside or inside away from the heat - whichever sounds like more fun(gi) to you!
Meet the cutest mushroom you’ve ever seen - this woodland staple got a whimsical makeover! Take your embroidery to the next level with this mixed media hoop art. Fabric, felt, fibers and beads are layered to create an adorable little mushie, complete with a 3D stuffed cap. The textures and techniques may look advanced, but this design uses only six basic embroidery stitches - the magic is in the mixed media materials!
Skill Level: Adventurous Beginner to Intermediate
Time: 3-4 hours
Additional Supplies:
Mixed Media Mushie Pattern (click to download)
Instructions:
1. Cut a 6 x 6" piece of linen fabric - or roughly 1" larger than the embroidery hoop on all sides. Tightly secure fabric in hoop.
2. Download and print Mixed Media Mushie Pattern above.
a. Trace Embroidery Pattern Template onto linen fabric in the hoop. I like to place the paper template behind the fabric and use a light source below, like a light board or window, to better see the template. I also use a heat erasable pen for tracing so any visible lines can be easily removed with a hairdryer or iron once I am finished stitching.
b. Cut out paper Felt Cut Templates and use them to trace shapes onto felt. Cut out each felt shape.
3. It's time to start stitching! First, fill mushroom stem using split stitch with 6 strands of DMC 921.
4. The frilly ring around the top of the stem is made using detached chain stitches with 6 strands of DMC 3771. Fill each chain stitch with a single straight stitch in the same color.
5. Align felt Mushroom Cap on the fabric and sew the top curved edge only using a running stitch with 2 strands of DMC 400. Leave bottom edge open.
6. Using the stuffing tool, carefully add small pieces of Polyfil under the mushroom cap until it is evenly distributed and you are satisfied with the look.
Finish sewing bottom edge of mushroom cap using a running stitch with 2 strands of DMC 400. The edges should now be fully closed so Polyfil cannot fall out.
7. Add some decorative french knots to the mushroom cap, stitching through all layers - felt, Polyfil and linen fabric. I used 6 strands of DMC 452 and loosely wrapped french knots 2-3 times.
8. Using small straight stitches with 6 strands of DMC 452, add a few details to the stem.
9. The brown branches on either side of mushroom are stitched using back stitch (stems) and detached chain stitch (leaves) with 4 strands of DMC 400.
10. The white stems near base of mushroom are straight stitches using DMC Tapestry Wool in Blanc.
11. Add a few small straight stitch flowers with 6 strands of DMC 223.
12. Finally, add a bit of sparkle by sewing on a handful of bugle beads around base of the design. Use 2 strands of DMC 400 to sew on beads. Add as many or as few as you’d like. The exact placement should be based on your preference.
13. Now that your mixed media embroidery is finished, it's time to finish the hoop back. There are many ways to do this, but the following is my preferred method. Trim excess linen fabric to roughly ¾ - 1" around hoop.
14. Using 6 strands of embroidery floss (any color), sew a running stitch circle around entire hoop. Pull both ends of floss so fabric gathers into a tight circle on backside of the hoop. Tie a knot in the floss to secure gathered fabric.
15. Using a blanket stitch with 2 strands of embroidery floss, sew felt Hoop Back to backside of hoop. Make sure to sew through the felt and back linen fabric, but not through front side of embroidery. That's it!
How mush do you love your new mixed media hoop art?!
Let your creativity grow and try this project in other color palettes or with different fibers or beads. The possibilities are endless!
Thanks to Kelly for designing and writing this tutorial! You can see more of her work on Instagram @bykellyjo and on her website. Stay tuned for more tutorials from the Benzie Design Maker Team!
