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Labor Day Weekend means the end of summer with lots of people spending the long weekend at the beach. Are you headed to the water? After the sunscreen, be sure to pack your supplies for this Saltwater Dreams embroidery from Maker Team member Heidi of @sisustitchery. It's her ode to summer and slow days and slow crafting. Stitching by the seashore (or on your couch) sounds like the perfect way to spend these fleeting summer days!
There’s a special kind of magic in the final days of summer. The sun hangs low and golden, the breeze carries just a hint of change, and every moment feels worth holding onto. This special embroidery project captures that sense of joy and wonder, a celebration of seaside afternoons and the lingering light that makes the season unforgettable. It’s a reminder to savor the joy and light of summer as it stretches toward its final, glowing days.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 4 – 6 hours
Additional Supplies:
Saltwater Dreams Pattern (click to download)
Pinking Shears - optional
Decorative Fabric - optional
Directions:
Preparing Fabric
1. Cut two pieces of weaver’s cloth into approximately 9 x 9” squares with scissors or a rotary cutter. I suggest stitching on two pieces of fabric because it keeps the fabric taut and allows the stitching to look its best.
As an optional step, trim cut edges with pinking shears to help prevent fraying.
2. Download Saltwater Dreams Pattern and transfer to fabric using a light box or window and Frixion pen.
3. The finished design fits in a 6" hoop. However, stitching in a larger hoop (8") will allow you to stitch right up to design edge without any difficulty. Separate the larger hoop and place both pieces of fabric on inner hoop, with transferred design on top. Center design and slide outer hoop back in place. Tighten screw.
Stitching Design
Use two strands of embroidery floss for stitching unless otherwise noted.
4. BODY -
a. DMC 842 and backstitch to outline body, neck and head
5. DRESS -
a. DMC 210 and back stitch to outline dress
b. DMC 210 and stem stitch to outline neckline, waistline and flowers
c. DMC 24 and French knots to add centers to flowers. Wrap the thread one to two times for French knots.
d. DMC 151 and French knots to add polka dots
6. SANDALS -
a. DMC 151 and stem stitch to outline sandals
7. BUCKET -
a. DMC 3855 and backstitch to outline bucket
b. DMC 151 and backstitch to outline straight lines
c. DMC 151 (or 503) and stem stitch to fill in shells in bucket
8. HAIR + FACE -
a. DMC 3863 and stem stitch to outline hair
b. One strand of DMC 3864 and backstitch to outline eyes and nose
c. One strand of DMC 3864 (or DMC 151) and backstitch to outline mouth
9. KITE -
a. DMC 3855 and stem stitch to outline sun
b. DMC 3855 and straight stitch to create sun rays
c. Alternate DMC 210, 503, 151 and 3855 to backstitch rainbows
d. DMC 503 and stem stitch to outline kite
e. DMC 503 to backstitch middle straight line
f. DMC 3855 and stem stitch to outline string and kite tail
g. One strand of DMC 151 and backstitch to outline bows
10. ACCESSORIES -
a. Three strands of DMC 151 and French knot to create hair ties
b. Four strands of DMC 151 to tie bows on dress shoulders
11. SKY -
a. DMC 159 and stem stitch to outline clouds
b. DMC 3756 and backstitch to outline cloud accents
c. DMC 3864 and backstitch to outline birds
12. BEACH -
a. DMC 503 and split stitch to outline waves
b. DMC 3756 and French knots to create sea foam
c. One strand of DMC 3863 and lazy daisy stitch to create sea stars
d. Thread one to four Citrine beads onto one strand of DMC 3855 to create sand
Finishing Hoop
13. Use heat (hair dryer or iron) to remove pen marks from fabric. Transfer embroidered design to 6" hoop.
14. Trim excess fabric to ¼" around hoop. Apply a line of glue around edge of exposed hoop, then press fabric into glue.
15. Using back of the hoop, trace a circle onto Ecru felt and cut out. Place felt circle in middle of hoop back and glue in place.
16. As an optional step, repeat Step 15 with a decorative fabric and place over felt.
Admire those gorgeous stitches and enjoy your long summer weekend!
Thanks to Heidi for designing and writing this tutorial! You can see more of her work on Instagram @sisustitchery and on her website. Stay tuned for more tutorials from the Benzie Design Maker Team!
