How to Embroider Holly Leaves

Holly leaves are formed in a series of curves and pointed tips.

I hand-embroider holly leaves and berries on fabric Christmas projects. The leaves add a touch of the holiday season to a stocking, scarf or baby sweater. Embroidery floss creates an elegant look with a satin-like texture when I add holly leaves to a pillow or felt ornament. Three strands of floss give a puffed-up appearance to the leaves and two strands lie nearly flat against the fabric surface.

Things You'll Need

• Transfer pencil
• Iron
• Embroidery hoop
• Embroidery floss or baby yarn
• Embroidery needle

Instructions

1. Draw or transfer the holly leaf shape onto the project fabric with a transfer pencil and iron. Follow the transfer product directions to draw the holly leaves on paper and iron the image onto the fabric.

2. Place the piece of fabric over the bottom of an embroidery hoop. Center the holly leaf image in the middle of the open ring. Place the outer ring down over the fabric-topped inner ring to secure the hoop pieces together.

3. Flick your index finger against the center of the fabric. It should be so tight within the hoop that a drumlike thump can be heard.

4. Cut an 18-inch piece of floss or yarn in a dark green shade. Embroidery floss comes in a small bundle. The floss is six-strands or threads that are combined for one long strand. Pull two or three strands away from the long strand to work on this project. Thread the needle with the strands of floss or a piece of yarn. Knot the end of the fiber you have chosen.

5. Insert the needle into the bottom of the fabric until it pokes through near the outer edge of the leaf image. Pull the needle through the cloth until the knot is secured against it.

6. Follow along the entire outline of the leaf with small running stitches. This is done by pushing the needle back down through the fabric and up again at 1/4-inch intervals. The outline will be a solid line of short stitches.

7. Thread the needle with a holiday green floss or yarn and knot the end. Insert the needle up through the fabric until the tip is touching the outside of the outline stitching. Pull the needle and floss through the fabric and push the needle back down at the center of the leaf. Make the next stitch flush against the first one. Fill in one side of the leaf with this satin stitch. Fill in the other side of the leaf.

8. Make a straight stem line down the center of the leaf between the two satin stitched sides using the running stitch and dark green fiber.

Tips & Warnings

• Holly leaf transfers are found in embroidery sales catalogs and Christmas craft supply distributors. Carbon transfer paper is another useful product for embroidery.

References

• Victorian Embroidery and Crafts; How to Embroider the Holly; Mary Schlueter
• Sublime Stitching; Satin Stitch; Jenny Hart; 2010