Inspired by the designs of the Victorian period.

Produce a set of three for a mantelpiece or wall.

Finished size: approximately 4cm square

Stitches: Continental stitch

You'll need
3 x 10cm squares of 18-count tapestry canvas
Tapestry needle size 22
Masking tape
Steam iron
Piece of board such as a chopping board)
Pegs, pencil, ruler

Madeira Decora embroidery rayon:

Mid-blue (1495)
Lime green (1580)
Jade (1445)
Forest green (1570)
Cranberry (1583)
Rose (1508)
Straw (1466)
Dark red (1439)
Chartreuse (1448)
Bright orange-red (1437)
Dark lemon (1525)

Here's how
Step 1 Bind the edges of the canvas squares with masking tape. This will protect the rayon thread from catching on the rough edges of the canvas while you are working the embroidery.

Step 2 Find the centre of the design and diagonally count the number of stitches required from the centre to the top left-hand corner of the design.

Step 3 Find the centre of the canvas and count diagonally to the left in a similar manner until you reach the number of stitches required. This gives you the starting point for the embroidery.

Step 4 Using three strands of rayon and following the chart, work the design in continental stitch. Do not use any knots in this type of embroidery. Leave a tail of rayon behind your work, long enough so that, when the embroidery has been established, you can thread it up and slide it through a minimum of five stitches. End off in the same way.

Blocking
Step 5 When the tapestry is complete, turn it onto the wrong side and press with a steam iron, allowing the steam to penetrate the canvas. Moisten it enough so the canvas can be stretched to make a perfect square.

Step 6 Take the piece of board and, using a pencil and ruler, mark a 10cm square on it.

Step 7 Keep applying steam to the embroidery and, using pegs to hold the canvas down onto the board, line up the sides of the canvas with the 10cm square. Allow the tapestry to dry out thoroughly, then frame as desired.

Picture1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Source: Beautiful Embroidery (Murdoch Books)