Materials

Fabrics made from cotton, denim, linen, moiré, felt, and silk are all suitable for embroidered and embellished projects. Choose solid colors, subtle cotton prints, or abstract designs such as batiks or dyed fabrics.

Lace, appliques, and hankies can be used to create a design or focal point on the base fabric. Ribbons, trims, and cords can be used to create a design, or to cover a seam. These can be machine or hand-stitched to the background and used as part of the design or used to complete the edge of a project.

Embroidery threads and ribbon choices can include perle cotton (#5, #8, #13), cotton or silk floss, silk embroidery ribbon (2mm, 4mm, or 7mm), or metallic threads. Embellishments can also make a statement, such as buttons, beads, charms, sequins, and found objects. Choose as many color groups as you have for your fabric, adding in additional colors as needed. If you are working with a solid color base, then use as many color groups as you want.

How Much Do I need?

There is something to be said about having a well-stocked creative stash to work with. These components don’t go bad, and you never know what you might need! The list below will give you an idea of the amounts that I typically gather for a small 10″ – 15″ wall hanging.

• Fabric: Small amounts like fat quarters are enough for a base however 1/2 yard or more may be required for the lining and binding.  
• Felt squares either synthetic, wool or wool blend can be used to back a wall hanging.
• Lace fabric and appliques: 1/4 yard of lace fabric and/or 2-10 appliques (the amount will depend on the design of the project).
• Ribbon, lace, trim and cord yardage: 1-3 yard lengths should be sufficient (the amount will depend on the design of the project).
• Perle cotton, floss, and/or silk embroidery ribbons: 1 ball or skein of each color in your project.
• Seed beads sizes 6°, 8°, 11° and 15°: 1 package or tube of each color of your project.
• Larger beads, buttons, sequins, charms and other embellishments: choose colors that compliment the project (the amounts will depend on the design of the project).

Stablizers

The type of stabilizer, and the amount will differ depending on the project.

Fabric Base: 100% cotton muslin is used for foundation piecing on strip and crazy pieced bases.

Interfacings

• Heat-N-Bond light is used to fuse one fabric to another.
• Misty Fuse is used to fuse a piece of lace to fabric.
• Sheer weight, feather weight and mid weight fusible interfacing are used to create a firm background and to stabilize the fabric base.

Finishing Foundations and Fillers

• Décor Bond is used for projects that need a thin, firm stability to hold the shape of a project.
• fast2fuse is a double-sided fusible interfacing that comes in light, original and heavyweight versions and are used to give stability and to hold the shape of a project.
• Poly-fil stuffing is used to give dimension to a form such as a pillow.
• Timtex Light and Heavy are used to give stability and to hold the shape of a project.
• Warm and Natural craft batting is used to give the fabric base a firm but softer dimension or can be added to create a padded look to the project.

Happy Stitching to you! ~Christen

PS: If you are looking for inspiration or ideas, check out my PDF Classes and books.