Hand Embroidery

I want to start hand embroidering...anybody know of any good books or websites on how to create your own designs?

Yes!  Check out Sublime Stitching--modern embroidery designs and simple instructions.  http://www.sublimestitching.com/ I purchased her "Stitch it Kit", which was a fun and simple way to start.   

 I also found another FABULOUS book at the library recently:  "Colorful Stitchery" by Kristin Nicholas.   She has a very different style, but I've had a lot of fun with her projects.   

The "Stitch it Kit" was great for basic embroidery technique and "Colorful Stitchery" offered some unusual and creative ideas for projects.     

Hope this helps!

I agree Jenny Hart's Sublime Stitching is amazing and a great place to start!

There's a new site I've read about on a couple of crafty blogs that has really cute embroidery patterns.  They are called "Pimp Stitch" but don't let the name fool you, they are definitely g-rated.  You can find them here:

http://pimpstitch.typepad.com/

A lot of stitchers share their vintage embroidery patterns on Flickr.   Do a search for embroidery patterns and you'll find many patterns you can download under the creative commons license.   Vintage coloring books are also a great place to find images suitable for embroidery.

As for creating you own just trace an image with a transfer pencil (under $2 at any craft store) and iron it on to the fabric and start stitching.  You are only limited by your creativity!  Just remember when you transfer the image to the fabric it will be a mirror image of your design. If you want to embroider text you will need to reverse it before ironing on to your fabric.

Happy Stitching!

I too just purchased the Stitch-It Kit a few weeks ago.  As a beginner I really enjoyed Jenny Hart's easy to follow directions...plus the kit comes with everything you need to start out.  Her Sublime Stitching site is also great for patterns to purchase and tips.

I also purchased the Doodle Stitching book by Aimee Ray...I was also really pleased with it as well.  There were tons of cute ideas.  Good luck! 

This dress is so precious and adorable!  Love it!

Oh, I'm terrible becase I don't have the name, but it has deer in it and she is on etsy.  She has a book and has some designs for sale at her etsy store, too.  I'll search and come back.  Have fun!

Ellen,  littledeer.etsy.com has her designs and her blog/website is www.dreamfollow.com  Have fun!

I learned from Jenny Hart's book.  It's REALLY easy, by far the easiest crafty thing I have taught myself (knitting, sewing, smocking, etc.)  You can do it!

Yes Jenny Harts book is great. I've learnt a lot form it too! recommend it. good luck and lots of fun to you!

Here are a link I found for instructions on embroidery.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Embroidery-101

One other link.  This link is "Lesson 5" in this woman's embroidery tutorial.  But at the bottom of this lesson are links to Lessons 1-4. 

http://craftydaisies.com/2007/09/20/lesson-5

little dear on etsy has lovely designs.

I've found I like to take line drawings from microsoft clip art and stitch.  Since they've all been for personal use, I don't think I infringe.  Have fun!

Here is a link with one of my projects done as I suggested.

http://bluebirdstudio.blogspot.com/2007/01/valentine-fun.html

Check your library. They probably have many books on embroidery. Older books will have (now) vintage designs.

Doodle Stitching is also a great book for learning how to hand embroider your own designs.  Also, don't be afraid to try it out yourself!  I made a Robyn doll (free tutorial on my blog) from tracing an image that I created on Adobe Illustrator to some fabric and made some simple stitches with embroidery floss.

Good luck!

Check your library for a book called Stitch Sampler by Lucinda Ganderton  as well. It has great photos and directions of every stitch you can imagine. I'm just getting started as well and it is a great help. I'm going to have to buy it, its a great book.