Follow our tutorials and top tips for stitching up your Flower Pouch!

This is a great project for trying out new embroidery stitches and there's no need to fear as flowers in nature are perfectly imperfect!

Go slowly, and whether you 'sew as you grow', or fill in every flower your pouch will soon come to life with colourful stitches. 

This is such a great project for beginners because we use a mix of 7 different embroidery stitches to fill this design with colour. From the basic back stitch and stem stitch, to more ornate woven rose and fishbone, our tutorial videos will walk you through creating each element. And you can go on to use these stitches for future projects! 

The stitches

Just a note about this project - flowers and plants come in a multitude of colours so feel free to adapt the examples we have used. If you prefer red roses, or getting creative with 2 strands of colour thread, go for that! Equally we use a mixture of stitches, but you do not have to follow ours exactly. (You may think all the stems should be done in stem stitch for example).

Also just to mention that the gold print is not designed to wash out after, so you may wish to try to cover it over with your stitches, but it's not a problem if it is visible, as it is just a nice sparkly background..!

So let's begin...

Stem Stitch

Follow this simple tutorial to learn how to create a textured flower stem. This simple stitch is really useful and creates a sort of twisted line. 
So grab your green thread and needle (& a cup of tea!), and watch our tutorial to create your first stem.

Woven Rose

Let's learn how to create a beautiful woven rose - which is a textured rose made from embroidery thread. The first stage is to create 5 spokes which we will weave around. It takes a little longer, but the results are beautiful! 

Lazy Daisy

In this simple tutorial we will learn how to create beautiful lazy daisy stitches - which are like loops that can create petals and leaves. We will be making the daisies on the pouch, so grab your white thread (or choose something different!).

Satin Stitch

Satin stitch is an embroidery that uses a series of flat stitches to cover a defined area, creating a smooth, solid surface. We are going to use it to sew the bee on the pouch. 

Fishbone Stitch

Follow this simple tutorial to learn how to create leaves using Fishbone Stitch - which is a textured stitch formed by alternating diagonal stitches that overlap. It creates a textured, leaf-like appearance.

Back Stitch

This is a staple stitch in embroidery as it is ideal for making straight lines, adding details, or outlining shapes. 

French Knots

Follow this simple tutorial to learn how to create French Knots - which is a small textured stitch that raises up from your fabric. It might feel a bit tricky at first, but keep practising and you will be sewing them on auto-pilot!

The Basics: Step by step 

Dividing your thread

- Our embroidery thread is made up of 6 strands. We recommend splitting your thread in half to 3 strands for the main outlines (but you can use a mixture of thicknesses for various textures.)

- Separate the threads in half at one end - then gently pull them apart. 

  

- The thread has a tendency to tangle so it is best to keep the other end taught as you separate them (a third hand is helpful if you have someone nearby!)

  

- Now thread your needle (moisten the ends to help guide all 3 strands through) and tie a knot in the other end. You're ready to start stitching! 

  

Backstitch

Backstitch is brilliant for outlining the flowers and is the perfect stitch to master as a beginner. 

- Starting from the back of the fabric, push your needle through the grey outline at your starting point, pulling the thread fully through. 

  

- Put your needle back down about 3mm along the grey outline. Pull the thread firmly through to make your first stitch. 

  

- Push your needle back up through the fabric another 3mm along the outline from your last stitch. Pull the thread fully through. 

  

 - Now push your needle back down the same hole as your last stitch so that the line has no gaps. 

  

- Continue to stitch 3mm ahead and then back down the previous hole to make a continuous line... this is backstitch!  

  

- Complete the outline in this way until you get to the end of the design. 

  

- Tie off your thread (see the last stage). Now you can swap your thread for the next colour. Remember to divide the green down to 3 strands, thread the needle and knot the end. 

   

- You can continue to use backstitch to outline the stalk until it is complete. 

  

- For the detail marks, we recommend using only 1 strand of thread for a finer line. Like before, split the thread so that you have only 1 strand.  

  

- Use backstitch to fill in the detail lines

  

- Try to keep using neat, close stitches for a consistent look. 

  

 

Tying off your thread

- When you've finished with a colour you need to tie off your thread. Turn your bag or apron over so you're looking at the back of your fabric. With your needle still threaded, go through a stitch (but not through the fabric) - and rather than pulling it all the way, pull the thread just halfway through.

  

- A loop is created - put your needle through the loop and then pull the thread tight to create a knot. Repeat this stage to secure the stitch. 

  

- Cut the thread close to the knot, and trim any other loose threads from the back. 

  

Thread Colours 

These are the thread colours that come in your kit - of course flowers come in all different shades so feel free to get creative and mix colours - you don't need to stick to my example. 

 

Have fun stitching your flowers and if you have any queries, please do email us at info@chasingthreads.com - we'd also love to see your embroidered items <3