Stitching, using fibres such as embroidery threads, can add a lovely touch to scrapbook layouts and, indeed greetings cards.  There are companies that make templates for such a technique, but of course you are limited to their designs.

You can print out any image, keeping it simple of course, and use that as a simple template.  Use shapes such as simple flowers, leaves, stars, swirls and so on.  However, I have created a page of templates which will be available in the middle of this month to all SimplyScrapbookingNow.com Newsletter Subscribers (the video below explains).  It’s free to subscribe and there are lots of other downloadable freebies you may find useful.

Here (above) you can see the back of the sewing!

This picture (above) illustrates the effectiveness of being able to sew over a number of layers.

Here is a picture of the freebie downloadable sheet of sewing templates for use with scrapbook pages and cards too.

Use the templates by placing on your project and carefully piercing through each dot to make a hole for your thread.  As I tend to use thick thread (5 stranded embroidery thread) I “wiggle” or “twist” the piercing tool (or large needle) to make sure the holes are big enough.  Bear in mind that the thread will be passing through each whole twice.

Sew through the holes using running stitch all the way round (or along in the case of a swirl) and then go back on yourself with running stitch to fill in the gaps.

You should end up with a complete line, or outline, of your shape!

So… here is the video… (length 7.25 mins)