Decorative Embroidery Hoop Tutorial

Do you have a piece of vintage embroidery

 that's seen better days?

Consider this easy up-cycle.

My embroidered pillowcase

had several loose and damaged threads.

I picked it up at a garage sale for next to nothing: 

 it was the perfect candidate for an up-cycle.

Choose a wooden needlework hoop that fits the

 size of the embroidery you wish to feature.

Stamp the front edge of the hoop with a water-based ink. 

Choose any color that coordinates with your embroidery. 

 I wanted mine to appear vintage and chose a

dark brown from the Ranger line of Distress Inks. 

Use a small brush to apply water to your ink.

  It will act as a stain to the hoop's front.

Brushed-on water has been applied

 to the left of the brush in the right photograph.

Choose a stripe from your scrapbook papers

 that coordinates with your hoop and embroidery.

  Unless you are using a very small hoop,

 you will need to cut two stripes from the 12" by 12" paper.

Cut the stripe to the width of the wood on your hoop.

Attach the paper to the hoop with Aleene's Original Tacky Glue.

End each stripe at the halfway point/bottom of the hoop.

Glue a vintage button no bigger than the

width of the hoop about 1 1/4" from the top.

Prepare your tag art. 

Be inspired by the embroidery design.

Use buttons, charms, and ribbon

to embellish your embroidery.

Use these items to hide loose threads and damage.

Place the embroidery in the hoop. Tighten the top screw

 as tight as you can once you get the fabric in the desired placement.

Cut the extra fabric as close as you can

 to the back hoop with fabric scissors.

Add your tag art by wrapping a ribbon around the button!

What do you think?

Amy