Larkspur Pattern (July Birth Month Flower) By Megan Zaniewski @megembroiders Supplies: ● Fabric (I use Kona Cotton) ● Water-soluble transfer pen (see my notes in step 1 regarding my recommendations) ● DMC 6-stranded cotton embroidery floss in the following colors: 25,26, 32,161, 580, 734, 986, 987, (see color guide for placement) ● Needle: I use John James needles from the Sharps collection ● Hoop: This pattern was made for a 7.3 in x 5.9 in (18.7cm x 15 cm) oval hoop, but it will fit an 7 inch round embroidery hoop as well. You may also adjust the scale when printing to fit a smaller or larger hoop. Pattern: Color Guide Types of stitches used: Satin Stitch, French Knot, Backstitch, Straight Stitch *Please note: I do not offer a tutorial for these stitches in this pattern. If you need help finding a tutorial, please feel free to ask me and I can recommend some of my favorite sources. These are beginner-friendly stitches, and there are many great tutorial videos on Youtube that can help you learn them if they are unfamiliar to you. All floss #s refer to DMC brand cotton embroidery floss colors. Step 1: Transfer the pattern. I use a water soluble pen for all my embroidery designs. I’ve found that the popular Frixion heat-erasable pens leave permanent ghost (white) marks on colored fabrics and I advise against their use. The marks from a heat-erasable pen can also return in colder temperatures. So, if you want to preserve your embroidery work and keep it looking nicer in the long run, invest in a slightly more expensive water soluble pen. For transferring patterns, I use a light box. I’ve also taped my patterns and fabric to a window and traced them using natural light. Both methods work well! Step 2: Divide your DMC #986 floss into 3 strands. Use a satin stitch to fill in the stem. I angle my stitches slightly to give an illusion of a rounded stem. Step 3: Each leaf is completed with a satin stitch, using 3 strands of #987 floss. Starting at the outer edge of the leaf, bring your satin stitches to the center line. You want your stitches to follow the natural angles of each leaf. The stitches should lay flat against the fabric without overlapping one another. Step 4: The lower leaf has a section that is curved up. I used a satin stitch with 3 strands of #580 to fill in this section. Step 5: Complete the remaining smaller leaves near the top of the Larkspur using 3 strands of #580. These are simply straight stitches that emerge from the edge of the stem. Step 6: Using 3 strands, fill in each flower petal with a satin stitch. I started from the bottom of the Larkspur, working in one color at a time. Start at the outer edge of the flower petal and angle your stitches down toward the center of the flower. The center will be covered up in Step 7 with french knots so you do not need to worry about completely covering the area in the middle. Step 7: The centers of the open flowers contain french knots made with 3 strands of #734 looped twice on the needle. Step 8: Using a backstitch, Add a dark vein with 3 strands of #986 along the centerline of your satin stitching for each of the large leaves. Step 9: All done! Wash your embroidery gently under warm water to remove the transfer pen markings and let air dry. Once dry, I use a running stitch along the excess fabric and gentle pull to gather it all together in the back. The following are some closeup photos. I hope these pictures help you recreate this piece for yourself! Please tag me @megembroiders if you use this design -- I would love to see your work!
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