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Have you used stitchable die cuts yet? Traditionally used by paper crafters, these dies include holes for stitching, ensuring that each creation is sewn evenly and neatly. They're perfect for beginners or kids but fun enough for advanced stitchers too! And we love how wool felt seems to be made for these sort of dies. Sew stuffies, ornaments and appliqués super easily - just roll them through your die cutter and start stitching!
If you are new to die cutting we suggest catching up on our tutorial where we explain the differences between dies and how to use them!
Skill Level: Beginner
Supplies:
Stitchable Die
Wool Blend Felt
Embroidery Floss
Embroidery Needle
Directions:
There are three different stitches we recommend for stitchable dies: Whip Stitch, Running Stitch and Blanket Stitch. DMC floss is a divisible floss, meaning that it can be split into six parts. For this particular die, we like how all six strands pop on the cloud! If you are looking for a more subtle look, use just three strands. Let's get started on the easiest stitch first, the whip stitch!
Whip Stitch
1. Thread the needle and knot end of the floss. Begin by bringing needle in between the layers of felt. Stitch through the top layer of felt, keeping the knot hidden between the two layers.
2. Line up the layers of felt so you can see through the pre-made holes. Bring the needle to the back of felt and stitch through the next set of holes, bringing up the needle to the front of the design.
3. Continue stitching by whipping the thread around the edge of the felt, always starting the stitch from the underside and ending on the top. The pre-made holes keep the stitches nice and even!
4. You will begin to see a succession of angled stitches. Finish the design by hiding the knot in between the layers of felt.
Blanket Stitch
The Blanket Stitch builds on the Whip Stitch but, in addition to 'whipping' the floss from back to front, you stitch through the previous stitch before coming back around. This adds a decorative edge to the finished piece.
1. Thread the needle and knot the end of the floss. Start by bringing the needle in between the layers of felt and nestling the knot underneath the top layer.
2. Stitch a loop around the felt. Come back through the same place the knot is nesting in. It will be easy to locate the pre-made holes when the felt is properly aligned.
3. To finish the first stitch, go back through the floss loop you just made. This positions the thread for the blanket stitch.
4. Bring the needle through the back of the felt and stitch through the next set of holes.
5. Before tightening the stitch from Step 4, run the needle through the loop you just made. You have a Blanket Stitch!
6. Continue to bring the needle from the back to front.
7. Stitch through the previous loop each time. Gently pull to shape before moving on to the next stitch
8. As you continue to stitch, you will see the Blanket Stitch coming together. Finish by knotting floss around the first stitch and hiding the thread end between the felt layers.
Running Stitch
Both the Whip Stitch and the Blanket Stitch wrap floss around the edge of your felt but the Running Stitch stays on the felt face and looks like a Back Stitch... but simpler!
1. Thread the needle and knot the end of the floss. Start the first stitch in between the two layers of felt and hide knot in the top layer. Line up the layers so you can easily locate the pre-made holes.
2. Bring the needle down into the next hole. This completes the first stitch.
3. Bring the needle back up through the next hole.
4. Continue stitching by going in and out of each subsequent hole. You can finish your feltie just like this or go around again as shown in the next steps.
5 and 6. You can continue stitching, just repeating the up and down motion, and filling in the spaces that were left. This gives your design a continuous floss border that resembles the Back Stitch and is fully finished on both sides of the felt.
Additional Tips
- Use all six strands of your floss or just use a few! We like using one to three strands when stitching on embellishments. If it's easier, just use tacky glue!
- Line up the layers of felt to clearly identify pre-made holes. If you are still having problems identifying the holes, use eye of the needle to clear the holes of any felt left behind during the die cut process.
-When making stuffies, don't forget to leave a couple of inches open to fill with polyfil. Once filled, stitch closed.
-Be gentle with your stitches! If you pull too tightly the felt will ruffle.
-Embellish! Use variegated floss, metallic floss or add beads and sequins.
