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You are here: Home / Crafts / Embroidered Memories

Embroidered Memories

11th July 2015 by Claire Armstrong 45 Comments

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How to Turn your Children’s Artwork Into an Embroidered Memory

Embroidered Memories: As soon as they start nursery your kids bring home pieces of art work or random doodles, which in our case normally spent a few months on the fridge door before ending up in the bin. However some of of this art  I couldn’t bring myself to throw away as it was just so cute.  These precious pieces of paper and memories were stashed in the kitchen draw ready for them to be turned into an embroidered art piece.
 
Do you have a draw full of your kids artwork that you can't bare to throw away.  Well here I show you how you can turn them into your own embroidered memories masterpiece.
 
Embroidered childrens art
 

I got the inspiration to create this piece of embroidered art after meeting the textile artist Tilleke Schwarz at one of her exhibitions. Tilleke is a fantastic thread artist and her work is so eye catching. Tilleke’s pieces look like big embroidered doodles and  scribbles of  everyday things.  At first glance her textile creations appear to be a random collection of things but if you look closely there is a lot going on in her artwork and it follows a theme. 

 

Tilke shawrz play with me

Tilke shawrz play with me

 

I warn you this is not a quick project it took me a long time to finish but it’s one that you can do in small bursts over time as the piece is created bit by bit, just like a doodle it grows.  The time spent on the embroidery was well worth it, as it now proudly hangs up in our lounge and every time it catches my eye it makes me smile.  To be reminded that your eldest son once thought of you as a “special mum that rocked” is heartening. Also when he was 5 my middle son brought home a  piece of paper  from school where he was asked to describe himself in three words his were; “happy bouncy fun”, which can be hard to believe now that he is a bit of a moody teenager, who seems to spend most of the weekend in bed.
 

Embroidered memories pillarboxblue
 

happy bopuncy fun
 
 

How I created my embroidered memories art work

Linen was my canvas and I mainly used Appleton’s crewel wool for my thread, as I love the texture and the range of colours.  For the more finely stitched elements I just used ordinary cotton thread.  I used whatever stitches I wanted, so sometimes it was just a running stitch or split stitch, a satin stitch to colour in larger areas and French knots for texture.
 
appleton wool
 
To translate this mishmash of memories in to my own personalised bit of embroidered art I did the following.

  •  Gathered my favourite drawings, bought thread to match to colours
  •  For my canvas I used a large piece approx. 60cmX 60cm linen fabric ironed but you can make it any size you want.
  •  Traced round the outline of the drawings on to thick tracing paper using an embroidery transfer pen.  This will give you a mirror image so you need to go over your tracing paper on the back so that you can counter the mirror image
  •  I carefully positioned my tracing paper image to where I wanted it on the fabric making sure that I had the counter mirror image face down.
  • I then ironed over the tracing paper with a hot dry iron (no steam) 3 to 4 times.  When the tracing paper was lifted the image was then transferred on to the linen.
  • I stitched over the transferred lines and coloured with stitches to create my final piece.
     
    ephemera
     
    Enbroidered Childrens Art
     
    Embroidered children's art work
     
    Childrens Embroider Memories
    I would love to hear from you if you have done a similar project or if you do something with the art your children bring home from school.
     


     


     
  • Filed Under: Crafts Tagged With: artwork, childrens art, crewel, Cross stitch, embroidered memories, Embroidery, needlepoint, stitches, textile art, Tilleke Schwartz

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction

      9th October 2016 at 10:54 pm

      I absolutely love this idea! Thank you for sharing @Vintage Charm!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        10th October 2016 at 6:26 am

        Thank you !

        Reply
    2. Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting

      7th October 2016 at 8:51 am

      What a sweet idea! I did something similar years ago, having my daughter draw pictures of family members on fabric, which I embroidered over and sewed into bookmarks. You can see some here here (sorry, really bad pictures!). But I like the idea of accummulating doodles over time. It’s really a great memory-saver! 🙂 Lisa

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        7th October 2016 at 3:01 pm

        Thank you, your bookmarks look really sweet and a much quicker project.

        Reply
    3. Sam @ Raggedy Bits

      7th October 2016 at 6:46 am

      I am with everyone else on this project!! Such a great idea and so very precious!! I will have to give this a go!! Thank you for the inspiration Claire 🙂

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        7th October 2016 at 3:00 pm

        Thank you ! It is still my favourite thing hanging in my house.

        Reply
    4. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled

      5th October 2016 at 12:40 pm

      Oh my gosh, what a great idea! A project like this would take me months to complete as my kids are still young and busy but this would make for a great gallery wall once I have more time for projects like this. Visiting from Homemade and Handcrafted.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        5th October 2016 at 12:57 pm

        Thank you, it is a project you can do overtime. It took me about a year on and off I’d just do a little bit at a time when I had a spare moment in the evening when watching telly. I was kind of sad when I finished it as I had enjoyed making it over time. I do love to look at it everyday though, it hangs proudly in our living room.

        Reply
    5. Liz

      4th October 2016 at 11:05 am

      What a fantastic idea! Immortalizing your #MEMORIES! I’ll be sharing this! Blessings!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        4th October 2016 at 12:31 pm

        Thank you, I’m pleased you liked it.

        Reply
    6. Lynn H.

      27th November 2015 at 3:43 am

      Sweet way to showcase a keepsake drawing. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        27th November 2015 at 7:11 am

        Cheers ! I’m glad you like it.

        Reply
    7. Teresa Barton

      16th August 2015 at 11:10 pm

      WOW I love the art work you have made an amazing job. I have seven grandchildren and they are always drawing me pictures. I now know what I can do so I can see some of them. I will try to make a collage and frame it, Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        17th August 2015 at 5:54 am

        Thanks and good luck with the collage.

        Reply
    8. Pam @Threading My Way

      16th August 2015 at 10:02 am

      What a beautiful way to save these special memories, Claire!!! My kids’ artwork is carefully packed away in sealed bags, so I never look at it. I really must rectify that.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        16th August 2015 at 10:22 am

        Yes it is nice to have a constant reminder of the things they used to do. You should definitely get your kids art work out and perhaps work on your own piece.

        Reply
    9. Tilleke Schwarz

      2nd August 2015 at 10:32 am

      thanks

      Reply
    10. Susan

      21st July 2015 at 9:26 pm

      What fun! When my son was 7, I made my first huge quilt and it was for him. I took two of his drawings, a bat I made an applique, and a robot I hand embroidered. He’s over 40 and still has that quilt and loves it. This will be treasured far longer than you might think.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        22nd July 2015 at 6:45 am

        Thanks the quilt is a really good idea. I did think about doing one myself but after seeing the Tilleke’s art work I thought it would be nice to have something on display. I like memory pieces in whatever form they come.

        Reply
    11. Jenny Benton

      21st July 2015 at 9:16 pm

      What a lovely idea to keep such precious scribblings forever.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        22nd July 2015 at 6:46 am

        Thank you

        Reply
    12. Super Mom - No Cape!

      21st July 2015 at 3:17 pm

      I’m stopping by from the Sew Darn Crafty Link Party. What a fun idea to preserve your children’s artwork!

      I host a weekly Stitchery Link Party for all things hand embroidered and I would love to have you come link up this post so my readers can come see too. http://www.supermomnocape.com/2015/07/20/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-15/

      I do hope that you’ll come join the fun!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        21st July 2015 at 4:19 pm

        Thank you and thanks for the invite

        Reply
    13. Heidi

      20th July 2015 at 9:23 pm

      Ok, I love, love this idea. What a great keepsake!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        21st July 2015 at 5:34 am

        Thanks it is a lovely reminder and well worth the effort.

        Reply
    14. Bonnie

      20th July 2015 at 12:04 am

      This is a fantastic idea! I would love for you to link up to the Stitch It, Blog It, Share It Link Party Sunday nights at 7pm at BehindtheSeamsSewing.com.
      ~Bonnie

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        20th July 2015 at 5:30 am

        Thank you and thank for the invite

        Reply
    15. Celtic Thistle Stitches

      19th July 2015 at 4:46 pm

      What a lovely idea, definitely something to treasure for years to come 🙂

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        19th July 2015 at 4:48 pm

        Thank you, it is a nice reminder of the kids when they were younger.

        Reply
    16. Sarena @ Teal Inspiration

      18th July 2015 at 2:47 am

      This is so adorable! What a sweet, special way to save these memories. Thanks for linking up with us at the #HomeMattersParty! Hope you’ll join us again!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        18th July 2015 at 7:43 am

        Thank you

        Reply
    17. Valerie

      16th July 2015 at 5:18 pm

      What a great idea, definitely beyond my skill level but you did an amazing job!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        16th July 2015 at 5:50 pm

        Thanks, honestly you don’t need a lot of skill just a bit of patience. As you are copying children’s drawings you can get away with a lot when embroidering it all adds to the child like effect.

        Reply
    18. Mary-In the boondocks

      14th July 2015 at 6:36 pm

      This is a labor of love. Truly inspiring, and the kids will remember you did this and beam with pride.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        14th July 2015 at 6:44 pm

        Thanks it was well worth it, I’m working on a second one but no hurry.

        Reply
    19. Linda Nelson

      13th July 2015 at 11:53 pm

      Indeed, that is such a wonderful idea.

      Reply
    20. creativejewishmom/sara

      11th July 2015 at 10:49 pm

      Absolutely fabulous! Wow, wish I had the patience to do something similar, I have been saving all the best drawings of course! Thrilled to “meet” you on craft schooling Sunday and hope you’ll continue to join us every week and share your unique creations.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        12th July 2015 at 6:52 am

        Thanks it’s great to join your link up and see all the other craft ideas

        Reply
    21. Ginny

      11th July 2015 at 9:00 pm

      What a lovely idea.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        11th July 2015 at 9:10 pm

        Thank You

        Reply

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