HOW TO EMBROIDER NOSES AND SMILES

Morgane — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:00:30 +0000

Shy, candid, or playful, a stuffed animal’s smile is an essential step. You can make it match to the nose by using the same thread and by starting to embroider from it. In this article, we will learn how to embroider 4 different nose and smile shapes to change the facial expression. In addition to this little tutorial, use the video below, which shows step by step how to embroider them on a piece of felt.

CHOOSING THE EMBROIDERY THREAD

To embroider a smile and a nose, you can choose between stranded cotton or pearl cotton. The former is made of 6 strands that can be separated from one another, which gives you the choice for the thickness. It is more popular because it is very versatile. The latter only has one indivisible strand, available in multiple numbered thicknesses. It is easier to use for beginners and more willingly brings a 3D aspect to your creations. You will also find all kinds of effect threads: lights, stars, satin, metallic, phosphorescent, etc. You can buy higher quality skeins, such as the ones from DMC, or opt for cheaper ones that you will easily find in non-specialized stores. The cheaper options will allow you to have a variety of shades at a reasonable price.

Tip: prefer cotton or polyester, and avoid wool, which is less resistant and frays when you separate the strands.

EMBROIDERING SNOUTS

When embroidering the nose of your stuffed animal, you have infinite shape possibilities to choose from. Once you have assimilated the technique, you will easily grow your range. The number of stitches to sew depends on the thickness of the thread you have previously chosen and on the desired result. Among the most popular shapes, there is the triangular nose, the rectangular nose, and the “bear” snout. You can embroider horizontally (third picture) or vertically (other pictures). The sequence can be symmetrical: a stitch on the right side, then a stitch on the left side (first and second picture), or it can be divided into two parts: finish one side before moving on to the other side (forth picture).

Video note: I am using stranded cotton with two strands for the nose.

Follow the numbers to embroider line by line, from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, and so on.
Start by stitching from the inside out on number 1, so that the knot will not be visible (or hide it in the neck area).
Once the shape is outlined, you can go through the entirety of the nose again to define it further and fill the gaps.

Tip: to guide you, trace the outline with a pencil, or glue on a piece of felt and then cover it with the embroidery thread.

EMBROIDERING SMILES

Once the nose is embroidered, the only thing left is to make a smile to match. You have a wide range of different facial expressions there as well. Start with the highest stitch. I am alternating between straight stitch and back stitch. To see how to embroider them step by step, go to the second part of the video below. If the stuffed animal has long fur, you should use very thick pearl cotton or trim the fur.

Video note: I am using stranded cotton with four strands for the smile.

Do not hesitate to practice on pieces of felt before reproducing it on your stuffed animals.

You can find the video of this tutorial below.

SHELVES HUNG WITH OLD BELTS

Morgane — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 12:00:09 +0000

In this tutorial, we will see how to build small decorative shelves. It’s quick, easy, and it only requires basic supplies! You will be able to use them for holding books, candles, or stuffed animals. You need some wood, belts, and a few nails. You can use what you may already have at home, such as scrap wood, old belts to recycle, or even buttons that will be used to decorate the edge of the shelf. With this method, we do not cut the straps on the front, and the wall mounts are invisible. Perfect for a cosy and rustic atmosphere!

SUPPLIES LIST FOR ONE SHELF

1 wooden board of 32x10cm

2 belts of 70cm minimum

8 nails, a hammer, and a pair of scissors

1 wooden board of 32x10cm
2 belts of 70cm minimum
8 nails, a hammer, and a pair of scissors

THE PROCESS

Step 1: If needed, cut the wooden board beforehand to the desired length with the help of a saw and sand the edges if they are too sharp. Position the belt with the buckle and the holes on the side you decide is the front of the shelf. If you need to shorten the strap, cut the extra centimetres with scissors on the side that will be against the wall, so that the two shortened ends meet at the back of the board.

Step 2: Nail the ends to the back edge of the shelf with a hammer. This side does not need to be aesthetically pleasing, it will be hidden by the wall anyway, so just try to make it as flat as possible to avoid creating a space between the shelf and the wall once mounted.

Step 3: Drive another nail on the bottom part to lay the belt flat on the board. The shelf is done already! The only thing left to do is to mount it on the wall. To do so, nail each belt to the wall, placing the nail in the folded part at the top, they are now completely hidden. If you want it to be safer or if you want to place heavier objects on it, replace the nail with a wall plug and a screw.

Here are a few decorating ideas with the wooden shelves.