Every six months I have been trying to get a hand print of Sawyer’s to keep and reminisce over as he grows up (so quickly!). There are the more traditional ways – clay or paint – but I wanted to incorporate my love of embroidery into this keepsake.
To make one of your own you will need:
- a traced hand print from your kid of choice
- two fabrics – the back fabric (I used white) and the hand print fabric (the yellow flowery fabric I used)
- needle and thread
- embroidery hoop
- water soluble pen to trace your pattern
- small, sharp scissors – needlework scissors are ideal
I traced my son’s hand and then traced over that with a thick, black marker so I could see it better through the fabric while I traced.
See how you can still see the black marker through the fabric? Trace over it with a water soluble ink pen and you are almost ready to stitch.
To get ready to stitch, you want to layer your two fabrics – white on bottom and yellow on top. You’ll see why I did it like this.
Back stitch around your traced hand pattern. You’ll be stitching through both layers of fabric at the same time.
Take your fabric out of the hoop and begin to cut away the excess yellow fabric. I cut away the majority to get it out of the way and then cut closely around the backstitching (about 1/4″) all the way around. Small, sharp scissors are key! I used my embroidery scissors to get the job done. Just be patient and careful while you cut away – you don’t want to accidentally snip a stitch.
I didn’t permanently finish the back of this piece. I didn’t want to use glue because I am not sure if I am going to want to take this out of the hoop and re-frame it, or maybe I would like to add a bit more stitching to it. For a temporary finishing job, sew a running stitch all the way around the perimeter of the hoop, pull the thread tight and tie a knot.
This is what you will have when you are done. It looks neat and doesn’t do any permanent damage, just in case you ever want to take the work out.
I am so happy to have my 2 year old’s little hand print as a keepsake embroidery piece. Good for years of weepy mommy reminiscing.
As always you can find me all over the place: little lovelies / facebook / twitter / pinterest
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Thank you so much for sharing this – I have a little handprint that I have been meaning to stitch but your idea is so much better than plain stitching.
Really enjoyed the article, but the pop up that you have on the left side sometimes blocks the working and that can be frustrating
love this idea! thanks so much for sharing – pinning it now ;)
I like the new spin on a handprint. No mwaay paint. That’s a nice way to make simple decor for their room or give to a grandparent.
So lovely. I’m thinking of using one of my daughters outgrown outfits for the hand that has too many stains to consign, but a large enough clean area for the hand. Extra weepy mommy points.
My dear granddaughter is having hand surgery next week so we are going to do ink handprints. I think this would be really nice to do too. I shared it with my daughter. Thanks.
Ahhh, your son’s embroidered hand print is super cute. Thanks for sharing. Smiles, Paula
What a LOVELY idea!! So very pretty!