How to hand embroider signatures

by Nancy Reilly
(Concord, MA)

I am a beginner and want to hand embroider my children's signatures on napkins. I have the hoop, floss, signatures and a way to transfer them onto the napkins. I don't know what the best stitch would be for this project. I want the signatures to be dramatic and think I want a very tight stitch. What advice do you have for me?

Thank you,

Nancy Reilly

Carol answers...

There are a number of "line" stitches that you could use to work over the signatures, Nancy.

Perhaps the best know would be stem stitch which is often used in redwork embroidery.

You could also try using chain stitch or split stitch, which resembles a very close chain stitch.

I added the following page..

hand embroidered names

...as I am asked about doing this often. I hope it helps you.

Regards,

Carol

Stitch for letters of a name

by Debbie

This is my first attempt at any kind of needlework (except mending). I want to embroider my grandson's name on his Christmas stocking.

I want to stitch it in capital letters about 1 and a half inches high.

Thank you for any help or advice you can give.

Debbie

embroidering a name onto a heart

by Lisa
(Scotland)

Hi, I want to embroider a name onto a stuffed heart but I'm not sure which stitch I should use as I'm new to embroidery.
Thanks
Lisa

Carol answers...

Lisa, can I ask if the heart is already stuffed or if you will fill it after doing the embroidery?

There are a number of stitches that you could use to embroider a name. It really depends on whether you want to imitate a hand written text or to do filled in block letters.

I have added a page to the site which covers some of these options and you will find it at the link below...

hand embroidery for beginners

Depending on the fabric that the heart is made from you might also consider using counted cross stitch to add the name.

I hope this helps.

Carol