Noriko Komurata - Teeny Tiny Menagerie: 380 Whimsical & Wonderful Animal Embroidery Motifs

Authors Note This sweet and playful collection includes embroidery motifs for just about every animal under the sun! In addition to popular pets like cats and dogs, there are designs for hedgehogs, badgers, and even a flying squirrel. Each embroidered creature possesses its own whimsical personality and storybook-inspired design. All 380 motifs can be created quickly and easily using simple embroidery, cross-stitch, and appliqu techniques, making them perfect for embellishing and adorning anything made from fabric. I hope you enjoy stitching these fun and friendly little designs. Welcome to the teeny tiny menagerie! Noriko Komurata Tools & Materials All of the motifs in this book are stitched with No. 25 embroidery floss, which is composed of six strands of long-staple mercerized cotton thread.

The strands can be separated, allowing you to make your embroidery appear thick or thin. This type of embroidery floss is inexpensive to buy and is widely available at craft stores, discount stores, and online. You can embroider just about any type of fabric, including cotton, linen, felt, and wool. For best results, look for a plain-woven fabric designed especially for embroidery. The designs in this book are small, so you dont need to use a hoop. This book uses two different types of needles: embroidery needles (pictured on left) and cross-stitch needles (pictured on right). This book uses two different types of needles: embroidery needles (pictured on left) and cross-stitch needles (pictured on right).

Embroidery needles have sharp tips, while cross-stitch needles have rounded tips designed specifically for cross-stitch fabric. Both types of needles are available in a range of sizes, so choose the one works best with the number of strands of embroidery floss you are using. Use small thread clips with fine blades to trim embroidery floss and large fabric shears to cut out embroidery and appliqu fabric. How to Transfer the Designs Basic Method This simple technique uses colored chalk paper to transfer designs onto fabric. Colored chalk paper is available at fabric and craft stores. 1. 1.

Position a sheet of colored chalk paper on top of the fabric with the chalk side facing down. 2. Copy the design onto a sheet of tracing paper. Position the tracing paper on top of the colored chalk paper. Cover the tracing paper with cellophane. 3.

Trace the design with a pen or pencil. 4. The design has now been transferred to your fabric. Alternative Method This traditional Japanese method is a great option when working with more complex fabrics. It can be challenging to transfer the design to thick, textured fabrics like wool and thin, delicate fabrics like silk. If you are experiencing difficulty transferring your design, try copying the design onto a thin piece of paper, such as Japanese washi paper, then baste the paper to the embroidery fabric.

Embroider the design, then remove the basting and gently rip away the washi paper. If the embroidery design is filled with solid areas of stitching, such as long and short stitch, its best to embroider the outline, then remove the washi paper before filling in the design. This will prevent your embroidery from looking bulky. 1. Copy the design onto washi paper. 2.

Baste washi paper to embroidery fabric. 3. Embroider the design as noted in the instructions. Remove basting and gently rip away washi paper. Transfer Products There are a number of great products on the market today that can help you transfer designs to your fabric quickly and easily. Look for Wash-Away Stitch Stabilizer from C&T Publishing, which works in just four simple steps: 1.

Print, copy, or trace your design on to a sheet 2. Stick it down in position on your fabric 3. Stitch your design right through it 4. Dissolve it...the printed stabilizer washes away easily in water without damaging your work How to Embroider the Designs How to Prepare Your Thread 1. Hold the skein of embroidery floss with the label between your fingers and pull out the end. 2.

Cut a piece of thread about 15"-19" (40-50 cm) long. 3. Separate the strands of thread. 4. Realign the number of strands necessary to stitch the design, as noted in the instructions. Always separate the strands, even when using all six strands, as this prevents your thread from knotting.

How to Thread Your Needle 1. Fold the piece of thread. Use your needle to apply pressure and create a crease.