Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

How to Machine Embroider on Puffy Foam

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Have you ever seen machine embroidery on puffy foam?  It looks really cool and gives projects extra dimension.  You can learn how to do it yourself with this tutorial from Machine Embroidery Geek.

Filled with plenty of tips, the article explains how to do it.  There are plenty of photos to help you along.  Not only that, but you will find ways to fix mistakes and what tools work best.

Can you imagine all of the fun projects you could make with puffy foam?  I think monograms would be lovely.  Kids especially would love to get something with their name machine embroidered on it.

You can get the free tutorial here: Machine Embroidery on Foam

[photo from Machine Embroidery Geek]

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Stitch Some Small Cross Stitch Patterns for Fall

I have a pretty short attention span these days (I was going to say when it comes to cross stitch, but actually it’s everything) so I’m always on the lookout for little patterns that can add some cuteness to my decor without taking a lot of time. So here are some small cross stitch patterns for your fall stitching and decorating enjoyment. 

One thing I do still try to pay attention to is reading, so I had to share this little pumpkin bookshop from Mango Charm Studio. At 46 by 48 stitches, it shouldn’t take long to stitch up the project, which uses 16 colors (because small doesn’t have to mean it lacks details!). On 14 count fabric this one comes out to 3.3 by 3.4 inches, or 8.3 by 8.7 cm. 

These cozy autumn icons from Stitch Bloom Garden would be fun to stitch on a single hoop as shown or work each little one on a different project. You could stitch leaves on napkins or use the designs in little frames. The full set is 108 by 106 stitches, which some out to 7.7 by 7.6 inches, or 19.5 by 20 cm, on 14 count fabric. The full set fits in a 9 inch frame and uses 21 colors. 

Pattern House US has this cute maple leaf stamp cross stitch pattern that comes out to 3.93 by 4.64 inches/9.98 by 11.79 cm on 14 count fabric, but you can make it even smaller if you like. This project uses 7 colors and is 55 by 65 stitches. 

Another one that reminds me a bit of a stamp is this pumpkin design from KC Patterns Studio. This one uses 6 colors and is 40 by 40 stitches, which comes out to 2.5 inches or 6.5 cm on 14 count fabric. 

Find more cute minis at Dreaming Cat Patterns, which has a set of 12 mini fall motifs, leaning toward Thanksgiving but really pumpkins and pies and turkeys are great all throughout the fall, right? The designs are all 50 stitches wide and vary a little bit in height (all are 40 or fewer stitches tall) and number of colors needed. The biggest one is 3.57 by 2.86 inches, or about 9 by 7.3 cm on 14 count fabric. 

And if you want to get super tiny, try the pumpkin and fall leaves minis from Bella Rose Craft that fit in tiny frames (just the pumpkin is shown above). The pumpkin is just 12 by 12 stitches and the leaves are 15 by 21, and they both fit in a tiny 1.5 by 2 inch hoop. So cute!