Fun with Photos - Photo Embroidery, 2 Ways

Awww! What a cutie!

Hello, my name is Lindsay, and I'm addicted to taking pictures. You may not think that's such a bad thing, but my son's baby book has over a thousand pictures in it... and he's not even one yet. I wish I could tell you that I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. I'm undershooting the number.

So I have a LOT of pictures. While I've been building online scrapbooks and putting pictures all over my house, I've been trying to figure out fun and unique ways to use my pictures. Thus, photo embroidery was born! Here's a quick mini-tutorial to show you how I did it.

Turn This... (seriously, how cute is he?)

Into This!

Materials:
Picture
Computer
Photo Paper (or cardstock, it may be easier with cardstock)
Sharpie Pen
Normal Paper
Scissors
Needle
Embroidery Thread

Choose your photo. I wanted my photo to be in black and white so that the embroidery would stand out. I uploaded the picture to FotoFlexer (Free website! Woo Hoo!) and chose black and white under the effects. Then print the picture out on your photo paper (or cardstock!!! I didn't have any around and used photo paper. My poor fingers developed blisters. Cardstock would have been MUCH easier.)

Now, create your design. If you just wish to highlight items already in the photo (ie. the flower), then you can skip this step and just sew. Draw out your design with a sharpie on the plain paper and line it up the way you like it on the photo.

Flip the design over and place it on the back of the photo. Now you have you embroidery pattern.

The sharpie shows through. Instant pattern.

Then follow your pattern and start sewing.

Done!

*Side note: Be careful not to sew to close together, especially on satin stitches, as this will cause the paper to tear.

Turn This... (I LOVE that face!)

Into This!

Materials:
Picture
Computer
Plain Paper
Embroidery Hoop
Embroidery Floss
Needle
Fabric

Upload your picture to FotoFlexer.

Flip the photo horizontally from the basic tab. From the effects tab, choose sketch. Print your picture out on normal paper.

Your Pattern!

Place your fabric in the embroidery hoop. Cut out the picture to use as a pattern on the wrong side of your fabric. Sew through the paper into the fabric. Use the full embroidery floss for larger details.

Pull the floss apart and use just a few strands for smaller details.

Carefully pull the paper apart from the back when you are finished sewing. Done!