How to Make a Buttonhole Stitch Embroidery Flower
A buttonhole stitch flower is an interesting embroidery technique that is easy to learn and use for many different projects. The basic buttonhole stitch is used for handmade buttonholes and for felt crafts as well as many fabric folk art projects. The buttonhole stitch flower for embroidery is a bit fancy and looks more like a satin stitch; it is worked with embroidery thread.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Prepare the thread. Cut about 12 inches of six-strand embroidery thread from the package and divide it into three strands. Thread the needle with one of the strands.
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2
Bring the needle from the backside of the fabric to the front about the center of where you want the flower to be. Pierce the fabric with the needle where the edge of the stitch should be and back up to the center. Wrap the thread between the needle and fabric and pull the needle through. Pull easily, and bring the loop to the edge of the flower design.
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3
Continue in a circle. Make the buttonhole embroidery stitch around for the center of the flower. Once you have a center completed, change colors or continue with the same color.
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4
Start a second row. Pierce the fabric with the needle down at the edge of the first row and up where you want the second row to end. Make the first buttonhole stitch in that row and pull the needle through to the edge.
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5
Embroider the second row. Make this row close to the first one, larger or smaller, wavy or with petals. Use the buttonhole stitch placed in close stitches to create a satin look. This stitch is nicer than a satin stitch for some flowers because it makes a ridge around the edge. The buttonhole stitch embroidery flower also creates a padding that gives the flower some depth.
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copyright 2009 Linda Richard
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