Stitching up little projects is such a fun way to relax and unwind! Today, I’ve teamed up with my friends at DMC and some blogging friends for a fun blog hop, and in honor of the event, I’m sharing a sweet cactus embroidery pattern that is adorable and oh-so-easy. (And did I mention you can download the pattern for FREE?) Continue reading to check out the free embroidery pattern and step-by-step tutorial for this cactus embroidery project, as well as details for some fabulous new stitchable cork fabric from DMC that has me totally smitten!
This is a sponsored post written by me for DMC. All opinions are entirely my own, and I am committed to sharing products with my readers that I absolutely love and enjoy myself!
Cactus Embroidery Supplies
-
Cactus Embroidery Pattern Pieces (clink link for the free download)
- DMC Stitchable Cork Fabric
- DMC Floss (assorted colors)
- DMC Embroidery Needles
- 6-Inch Embroidery Hoop
- Wool Felt (assorted colors)
- Shears
- Fine-Point Sharpie Marker
- Optional: White Acrylic Craft Paint, Pom-Pom Trim, Hot Glue (for finishing)
Stretch the cork fabric inside the embroidery hoop, and set the piece aside. This fabric is so fun to work with! On the front side is a layer of natural cork, with a backing of polyester. I love the texture it instantly gives to projects!
Helpful Tip: This fabric is a bit stiffer than other embroidery fabrics, so stretching it in the hoop requires a bit of patience to make sure it is nice and taut.
Download and print the pattern pieces, and carefully cut out each piece.
Use the fine-point Sharpie to trace around each pattern piece onto its respective felt color. For my project, I used the following colors: green (for the cactus pieces), fuchsia (for the flower pieces), blue (for the lower pot), yellow (for the pot rim), light pink (for the cheeks), and white (for the conversation bubble). Use shears to cut out each piece.
Now, the fun part: stitching!
Referring to the number order on the pattern pieces, stitch the design together in the following order:
1 – Use 2 strands of floss to affix the lower pot piece (piece 1) to the bottom center of the hoop using a whipstitch.
For a whipstitch, insert the needle from back to front through all layers. Then, insert the needle from front to back directly opposite the point where the needle emerged before, so that the stitch falls just outside the edge of the felt piece. Continue in this manner around the entire perimeter of the felt piece.
2 – Align the pot rim piece (piece 2) along the top edge of the lower pot. Use 2 strands of floss to affix it in place with a whipstitch.
3 – If desired, use 6 strands of floss to form a zig-zag of backstitching along the pot rim.
4 – Arrange the cactus pieces (pieces 3, 4, and 5) as indicated in the finished project photos. Using 2 strands of floss, secure them in place with a whipstitch. Using the finished project photos as a guide, draw on the design details (eyes, mouth, etc.) using the fine-point Sharpie. Use 2 strands of floss to outline the detailing with a backstitch.
5 – Use 2 strands of floss to affix the circle cheek pieces (piece 6) along either side of the mouth detailing using a whipstitch.
6 – Using 3 strands of floss, apply cactus needles throughout the design with a whipstitch as shown in the finished project photo.
7 – Using 2 strands of floss and a whipstitch, affix the flower pieces (pieces 7 and 8) to the design as shown in the finished project photo. If desired, use 6 strands of contrasting floss to add detailing to the center of each flower.
8 – Use the fine-point Sharpie to write a desired message/saying onto the speech bubble (piece 9). Align the speech bubble as desired to the left of the stitched cactus design, and use a whipstitch and 2 strands of floss to secure it in place. Outline the wording on the bubble with a backstitch and 2 strands of floss.
9 – (Optional) Unhoop the project, and paint the outside and top of the outer ring with the acrylic paint. When the paint is dry, re-hoop the design. Trim away all but 1/2″ of the cork fabric around the perimeter of the piece. Fold back the excess fabric and secure it to the back side of the inner hoop with hot glue. Finish by affixing a section of pom-pom trim around the perimeter of the piece with hot glue.
Your cactus embroidery project is complete!
Isn’t she adorable??
The cork fabric here is so perfect for this “rustic” cactus design, and the neutral backdrop has such a fabulous way of making bright colors really pop!
Check out even more fun ideas for using the cork fabric by checking out the video below!
GIVEAWAY TIME!
WIN $50 of goodies from DMC: the cork fabric used here, and the fun mesh and cuffs my fellow blog hop friends have showcased in their projects PLUS floss and accessories! YAY!
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to enter, telling me what you will make if you win!
A winner will be selected at random on August 4th.
PSSST — All of my amazing friends taking part in this bloghop are giving away prize packages, too, so be sure to pay them all a visit to increase your chances of winning!
Here is the lineup for this week to make it easy to hop around!
Tuesday July 25:
Positively Splendid – Cork Project
U Create – Mesh Project
Little Dear Tracks – Cuff Project
Wednesday July 26:
The Scrap Shoppe – Cork Project
Cutesy Crafts – Mesh Project
Random Acts of Amy – Cuff Project
Thursday July 27:
Lova Revolution – Cork Project
The Pretty Life Girls – Mesh Project
Wild Olive – Cuff Project
Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
Great pattern! Love the cork. I’m not sure what I would make yet but I’m excited to use the new materials.
I would like to make this little cactus.
She is so cute. Her happy, smiling face
made me smile.
Thanks for the offer of the pattern
and the explicit directions.
Also thanks for sharing.
I’ve never heard of the cork fabric…the stitching looks fantastic on it! I would use the winnings to stitch up a hooped wall-hanging for my best friend who just retired from 34 years of teaching. She is starting to decorate a spare room to use as her craft room!
My daughter would love this. She would probably make a dolphin.
I think I would make an embroidered cork board with a positive message!!!
Cuties catus, I have ever seen. What would I, the catus first.
I would make a wall hanging for sewing notions with patchwork to match from In Stitches. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’m not sure what i would make..Maybe some embroidered cork bookmarks??
I would make a cork board.
Joan
Napkin holders is what I would make.
Marion
My choice would be coasters.
Marilyn
That cactus is so cute I think I would have to make that!!
I would make an embroidered cork board – this is something new for me.
What a cute design! I would love to use this cork fabric to make fridge magnets.
That cactus is sooooo cute! I would love to use that cork fabric and make a little sign for my laundry room!
I’d love to make a hoop embroidery for my sister.
I definitely would make a cork hoop design!
I will be making a gift for my wonderful sister. Something whimsical and funny (she has the best sense of humor) that reminds her of how much I love her and I am grateful to have her for a sister.
I would make embroidered cork coasters. They are so cute!
Very cute cactus appliqué. I would love to make the floral cork wreath.
I’m loving this cork fabric!! I think a purse or maybe an eyeglass case!! The possibilities are ENDLESS!!
The cup cozy is so cute!! I love all the cork embroidery ideas!
I’d love to make a cork project! (And turn it into a pouch)
I love the cactus! I would make some kind of copycat cactus idea. Thanks
Wow, stitch able cork, so many things I could do with it!
An embroidered cork hoop would be great to make. I love to hand embroider and applique is my favorite sewing thing to do so a mixture of both would make asgreat hoop.
I love the You Are Awesome hoops. Thanks so much for this giveaway.
The cactus is way cute! I’d make it as a gift for my friend.
I want to make an initial pendant with the cork.
Your cactus is so cute!! The stitchable cork would be fun to work with… so many possibilities!!
This looks so cute and
fun! Love the cork. I’d
like to make a sign for
my craft shed.
Carla from Utah
I’d like to try the butterflies on mesh embroidery.
How cute! I would love to make a makeup bag or small wallet!
Love this idea!!! I’d like to make one just like it!!!
This is soooo adorable. I’m thinking I’d make something for my guest/sewing room.
I am always doing some kind of embroidery…how fun to try it on a different medium!
Such a cute project. Thanks for sharing.
Flowers on a hooped cork to hang in my Granddaughter’s room.
This is too cute!! It seems cork and felt go well together!! I definitely am going to try this cork stuff out!! Thanks for a cute idea!!
I’m in love with this cactus crafts, I would have to make it!
I would love to do a round cork project for my kitchen — probably with a teapot or rooster on it.
The cork looks really interesting – I wonder if it would be easier to stitch in hand? I do most of my stitching that way anyway, since I find hoops annoying. I’d make artwork for my daughters’ room – maybe with a quote on it.
I have an idea for a Christmas door pouch that I think the cork fabric would work well for. Thanks for the opportunity. Congrats to the winner.
I would love to make a cactus on cork. So cute! I’d love to try sewing with the cork fabric.
This isa very creative project.
Awwww that is so very cute and adorable cactus hoop art. LOVE IT! I’d love to make hoop art with the stitchable cork. Thank you.
I would love to try out this cork material! I would make a little sign for my first bathroom!
This project is too cute! I would like to try all these projects-especially the embroidering on mesh! Thank you, Susan
I am still fairly new to embroidery but I would love new products to try new projects. The cork looks fun to make signs for my crafting room.
That cactus is just too cute! I’d love to create something similar using some dies I have of Dala Horses.
I’ve seen a bunch of different cork clutches or small bags for ipads. I think I want to start with a small clutch! and add lots of embroidery.
I want to make something from all three!
I think it would be so much fun to stitch a hoop that makes it LOOK like it’s a bulletin board with little embroidered push pins and post it notes! This stuff looks SO cool!!!!
Cute! I especially love the little flowers. If I win, I think I’ll make lots of cute little gifts for the holidays.
I’m not sure what I would make if I won. I think about it for days before I actually attempt something, but I have a feeling I know some little ones in my life that would love something involving a horse stitched up.
I am loving these ideas! I’m going to try using the cork! It looks like so much fun!
I love this idea for a sweat shirt. I would love to use the cork to make something for my daughter’s dorm room.
Definitely a cup cozy. I am excited about the cork fabric and the possibilities for new projects. Who knew????
This project would be a perfect gift for my bestie. I’m debating which phrase to put in the speech bubble as I type this 🙂
The cactus is cute! I would probably try that.
I’m expecting my first little sweet pea in a few months, and would love to create a piece for her nursery!! The cork and mesh offer so many options!
I’d like to use the stitchable cork to make an embroidered frame for a photo of our grandchildren.
___123___Cactus Embroidery Pattern and DIY Tutorial – FREE download___123___