FERRIS MEWLER's DAY OFF: embroidery

If you are looking to get started with embroidery or just want a simple project to keep your hands busy, try this free DIY pattern inspired by Ferris Mewler 
Total Time: About an hour

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ferrismewlersdayoff.pdf
File Size:	436 kb
File Type:	pdf

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1. Download and print the PDF pattern.
2. Gather materials: 5" x 5" piece of linen or cotton fabric, any cotton embroidery thread. Needle. Scissors. Heat or water erasable pen. Optional: Light source like a window or tracing box. This piece is so small you don't really need an embroidery hoop, but you can use one if you want to.
3. Prep your fabric: Iron and starch your fabric. This makes it nice and sturdy for embroidery work. Then fold it in half vertically, and again horizontally.  This should give you a reference for the center of the fabric. 
4. Transfer pattern to fabric: Use a window or lightbox, or if your fabric is light, you may not need a light source.  Line up the center point of Ferris Mewler's Day Off with the center point of your fabric. Secure to flat surface or carefully trace with your heat or water erasable pen without moving the pattern or fabric.
5. Embroider on the traced line using a split stitch. 
6. TIPS: Start at the thigh of his left leg and work around.  Tie off and begin with a new thread for the face, right arm, and right heel. (This will prevent a visible thread line showing through on the front.) When you tie off, use a simple knot through the back of existing stitches and weave the loose end of the thread through the stitches.  To begin a new thread, use a simple knot through the back of the existing stitches, about 1/2" away from where you will begin, and weave through stitches to starting point. 
7. Ideas for use: Frame it, make a doll pillow, add it to a quilt.