Pep talk

Find inspiration in Lucy Peltier's motivational embroidered banner

- Lucy Peltier

HOW TO MAKE AN EMBROIDERED BANNER

MATERIALS

15 x 41cm (6 x 16") 100% wool felt in cream

A4 sheet self-adhesive water-soluble stabiliser (we used Sulky)

Water-erasable fabric pen

15cm (6") wooden embroidery hoop

DMC Stranded Cotton in green (987), rose pink (961), light pink (760) and pale pink (3779), dark range (921) and light orange (922)

Embroidery needle size 7

Matching cream thread 6m length of Paintbox recycled cotton yarn in peachy (1307)

10.5 x 6cm (41 x 23") piece of card

17cm x 6mm (6¾/4 x 1/4") wooden dowel

This delicate banner, complete with inspirational message, will look a treat hanging over your work desk or craft space. Lucy has used a pretty spring colour palette of pinks, oranges and greens on cream felt, but change up your version to match your décor.

If you're new to embroidery, turn to the templates section on page 85 to find our handy stitch guide, or visit www.gathered.how for more detailed guides on stitches.

01 Trace and cut out the template provided from page 85. Fold the cream felt in half widthways and pin the template to it. Cut around the template to create the banner shape. Remove pins and unfold.

02 Transfer the design, including the banner outline, from the template to the water-soluble stabiliser using the water-erasable pen and cut out.

03 Peel the backing from the stabiliser and stick to the felt making sure it is placed correctly.

04 Mount the felt into the embroidery hoop to begin stitching, making sure it is taut and flat in the hoop. Split the rose pink embroidery thread so you are using three strands and embroider the letters using whipped backstitch. Leave the dot on the 'i' unstitched for now. Now, embroider the stems and their tendrils in three strands of green using whipped backstitch.