Aimee Ray's Blog, page 17

Embroider a Dream Catcher

It's been awhile, are you ready for some new embroidery patterns from little dear? I've just listed three all new patterns based on some of my favorite embroidered dream catchers I've been making! This sweet, sleeping fox mandala is one of them. As an extra bonus, I'm going to let you in on how I created the dream catcher border stitch I use.  I hope you'll try it out and enjoy making stitched dream catchers as much as I have!(Just FYI, you can easily stitch up the entire dream catcher web border using only straight stitches and it will look just fine. This technique is just a unique way to create a true dream catcher style web right on your fabric!)
To stitch your own embroidery hoop dream catcher, you'll need a 6 inch hoop, fabric and one of the 3 dream catcher pattern PDF downloads from my shop.  With your pattern download, you'll also receive a dream catcher grid to use for this stitch. Begin by transferring the grid to the BACK of your fabric. I used light pencil lines. You'll use this grid to determine where to begin and end your straight stitches. Transfer and stitch the center mandala section of the pattern, and then you'll be ready to start the dream catcher border.

Begin by stitching Straight Stitches around the edge of the hoop using the grid on the back of your fabric as a guide. Make a tiny back stitch at each corner point before the next stitch. 

When you complete the first circle, make sure your fabric is very tight in the hoop. Following the grid, bring your needle up on the second line below the middle of first stitch. 

Catch the stitch with your needle, pulling the thread downwards.

Hold this stitch in place with your finger while you slide your needle under the next stitch, pulling it down in the center as well. 

Continue around the edge of the border, keeping your stitches pulled tightly. When you get to the end of the second circle, make a tiny stitch through the fabric to complete it and begin the next round in the same way.

If you run out of thread, just make a tiny stitch securing the thread wherever you need to and then continue on with your weaving.

When you're done, add the additional stitch embellishments to the border. All done! Now you can frame your embroidery right in the hoop, or add your own dream catcher tail with yarn, ribbon, lace or feathers.

Here are the colors I used to stitch up my fox design! Also not pictured (because I almost ran out) is beige DMC 422 which I used for the dream catcher web. I love these autumn colors but this design would also look amazing stitched up in silvery winter colors with a grey fox! (I may just do that myself soon.) 
I hope you'll try out this technique and let me know what you think!Enjoy. xo aimee

shop update!

My shop is updated tonight with some extra special handmade items! Two very sweet hand embroidered dolls in some of my favorite soft, wintery hues and a sleeping fox mandala dream catcher.

I'm in love with all of these pieces. I hope you love them too! xo aimee
www.littledear.etsy.com

Icy Friends

Icy Friends are new at little dear! Stitch up your own cute wintry animal friends with this all new PDF pattern. Available for instant download at purchase only at www.littledear.etsy.com
Stay warm!xo aimee

dream catchers

new dream catchers have landed in the shop!One of a kind hand embroidered with unique mandalas, these lovelies are so special to me, they would be perfect for a sweet bohemian style nursery or wedding. 
www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

new dolls

New girls Rowan and Astra are in the shop this evening!

And these two are available again too! Bring home an extra special one of a kind doll from www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

Squirrel's Happy Tree Home

My newest felt sewing pattern is here! This is the most epic pattern I've created and it is so much fun to make. I'm thrilled that it is finished and I can finally share it with you!

This cute treehouse is a quiet book with 4 sweet little rooms and a Squirrel who lives in them. When you're finished playing, it all closes up with a button.

It's as much fun to make as it is to play with when you're done! Although this pattern is pretty involved, it is all hand stitched and if you have some basic embroidery and hand sewing skills (and lots of patience) you won't find it any more difficult than my other patterns. 
Patterns for Fox and Owl pictured here are sold separately, look for all of my Woodland Creatures felt PDF patterns and stitch up all of Squirrel's friends!
Find all my instantly downloadable PDF patterns here at www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

new sweet things

I've just listed the first two new dolls of the year! I may have gone a bit overboard with the embroidery on these girls but I love how they turned out. They are extra special and super detailed. They are looking for forever homes at little dear!


Also new in the shop is the PDF pattern for these two! Yeti and Sasquatch make best friends and are super fun to stitch up.
Find all the cuteness at www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

dream catchers

I've enjoyed working on these lovelies so much and I am delighted to share them with you!


I developed a unique technique of embroidering a dream catcher motif onto fabric and I love the result. These little beauties are one of a kind and available in my shop.

Bring one home for your own special space from www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

Christmas NOMs 2016!

 
 They're back! I've just listed the biggest batch of Christmas ornament NŌMs ever! Find them all in my etsy shop: www.littledear.etsy.com
Grab some now, they won't be back til next year!xo aimee

Happy Thanksgiving!