For this Iron Craft challenge we had to make something with the letter “E” as our inspiration. I was getting ready to head out on vacation for most of the challenge period, so I needed something I could whip out quickly. Luckily, that answer was hanging right in my closet, a plain black tunic from Old Navy that I thought could stand a little embellishing.
Wearing my “new” tunic at the Painted Desert on vacation.
My secret santa this passed Christmas gave me the book Scandinavian Stitch Craft, since time was short, I chose a simple flower pattern from it. I used dressmakers tracing paper to draw the design on the shirt on once side of the slit in the yoke.
Then I debated color. I originally though I wanted to go bright red, but when I was looking at my floss colors with the shirt I thought a dark grey with just a pop of red might be striking. I really like how it is almost tone on tone.
The stitching went quickly, this was done in one afternoon. I used stem stitch for the stem, split stitch for the leaves and satin stitch for the flower, all just using two strand of floss. Two French knots really gave the flowers a finished look.
I was going to do a mirror image of the flowers on the other side of the slit, but decided I liked it on one side better. Matt said one side make it look a little more modern and a little less peasant. I think that little bit of embroidery adds a lot to the shirt. It’ll probably be on high rotation all summer.
I really like taking something inexpensive and basic and personalizing it. What about you, have you taken anything for a store and turned it into your own lately?
© 2005 – 2015 Kathy Lewinski & Susan Cornish
Gorgeous! I love the asymmetrical look. Matt is right, it does look more modern. And so wearable. Great job.
Thanks Ros. I want to go find more plain clothing to embroider now.
I have embroidered bought baby clothes but never for me. I think I should try this too!
I have to tell you, I love the shoes I embroidered last year. I wear them all the time & feel so proud when I do. So, do it. Embroider something for yourself!
I think this is a great idea and you did such a wonderful job! When I actually get down to doing it, I find embroidery to be fairly easy and totally satisfying but I rarely get to it. I think the last time was for an iron craft project. You’ve shown me that there are probably many opportunities to add a bit of embroidery to lots of different clothes. Thanks!
I know what you mean. I was slow to start actually doing the stitching on this, but then really enjoyed doing it. It gives me a nice break from knitting all the time 😉
So cute! What a great idea.
When I grow up, I want to do needlecrafts like you. Such a simple looking embellishment adds so much. Well done especially in the throws of vacation planning and departure. Great job.
Russ, I do such simple stitches. You should give it a try. There are a lot of tutorials on line. Stitching on paper seems like it would be right up your alley.
I love it! It really dresses up the tunic shirt! And how funny…we were just up by the Painted Desert too for a quick “vacation” (well…more of a job interview, but we did some touristy poking around in the little time we had).
Oh how funny! We did a whole Southwest roadtrip. I’m working on a post about it.
I’m kind of afraid of embroidery. There I have said it. I did try it a bit and my hands hurt. Must have been holding on too tight. lol
Yours is beautiful and great shot of you wearing it.
I get what you are saying, you want to grip the ring tightly if you are using it & your hands aren’t use the the motions.