new at little dear!!

I've been designing lots of new projects to keep you in stitches throughout the winter months. Here's my newest felt animal pattern, Finger Sloths! They are so much fun to make and sew, and they'll want to go everywhere with you. 

Grab the PDF pattern at www.littledear.etsy.com

New hand embroidery samplers are here as well! I really loved stitching up these designs and I know you will too. They fit nicely into 5 or 6 inch hoops and make perfect hoop art for your wall.

Sleeping Fox and Unicorn samplers are waiting at www.littledear.etsy.com along with all of my other embroidery kits and samplers. 

xo Aimee

tiny succulents

Just in case you were wondering what the types of succulents were in my Tiny Succulents embroidery pattern, I've made up a little guide. :) This is one of my favorite patterns, I've been pouring over beautiful succulents lately on Pinterest (come follow me if you love them too!) This time of year when nothing is growing always has me itching for gardening weather. Unfortunately I don't have much space (or light) for indoor plants where I currently live. (come on spring!)

You can grab this PDF download pattern at www.littledear.etsy.com and stitch up these tiny beauties even if you can't grow your own. Also, I'm planning some new tiny embroidery patterns for this series coming soon, can you guess what they will be?

xo aimee

Free penguins embroidery pattern

Have you been enjoying your holidays? I hope you've found some fun times and relaxing time as well. Here are the last of the free embroidery patterns I'm posting this month from my new book, Doodle Stitching: The Christmas Collection Transfer Pack!

I always feel like this week between Christmas and New Years is kind of a weird limbo time. If you've still got some days off, it's the perfect time to grab a new craft project!

This cute trio of penguins is ready for some frosty fun. Even if you're not into cold weather, stay in where it's warm and enjoy embroidering them up. Maybe cut out a few snowflakes while you're at it!

Here is the pattern! You can also download the PDF version right here.

Look back on the blog a few posts if you missed the previous free patterns, and don't forget to check out my new book, it's one of my favorites! You can have a peek inside (and grab even MORE free patterns) right here.

Have fun stitching!

xo aimee

Piles of Presents free embroidery patterns

Another week of December, another free embroidery pattern is here! Grab these two Piles of Presents and stitch them up in all your favorite colors.

Or use my favorite Christmas color palette,

 DMC floss colors: red 321, pink 3716, green 702, light green 907, aqua 3811, light aqua 747, brown 436, dark brown 3031, peach 950

I stitched mine up using Split, Stem, Back and Straight stitches, plus some Lazy Daisies, Scallops and French Knots.

These would be super cute framed in hoops and hung on the wall, or maybe sewn into pillows. What would you make with them?

Here's the file for you to download! You can also grab the PDF version here.

Don't forget to check out my new book, where you'll find these and many more fun holiday and winter embroidery transfers! You can have a peek inside (and grab even MORE free patterns) right here.

Enjoy! Check back on my blog if you missed the first two weeks of free holiday patterns and come back for one more next week. (can you believe Christmas is only a week away?!)

xo aimee

Fun Christmas Craft Projects

 Hey guys! Just popping in with links to some fun Holiday projects you'll find here from years past. 

Making your own gift bags is super easy, plus you save so much paper wrapping waste!! And you get to go shopping for cute holiday fabric. Find this tutorial HERE.

These Christmas Star ornaments are fun and easy, perfect little project for beginning embroiderers or stitchers. Find the tutorial HERE.

 

Want to know how to ribbon wrap a holiday hoop and top it with a festive bow? Find the 

Ribbon Wrapping and Bow Tying tutorials (plus free embroidery patterns) here!

Have you made salt dough ornaments before? They are easy and fun, a perfect kid project. Find out how Right Here.

Happy Holidays!!

xo aimee

Santa and Elves free embroidery patterns

We're celebrating week 2 of December with more free embroidery patterns from my newest book, Doodle Stitching: The Christmas Collection Transfer Pack and more will be coming each week up until Christmas! This week is extra special because along with these cute Santa and Elf patterns I'm going to show you how to sew these fun little stand up pillow dolls. They are perfect for holiday display and imaginative play. 

Besides fabric and floss to stitch the patterns, you'll also need stuffing, white felt, enough extra fabric for the backing of each figure and a couple handfuls of dry rice, beans or synthetic beanbag pellets.

First, embroider each design. Leave about 2 inches of extra fabric around the edges. I stitched mine using the Split Stitch and Stem Stitch on the outlines and Back Stitches, Scallop Stitches and Satin Stitches on the interior details. 

If you'd like to use my favorite Christmas candy color palette, here are my favorite floss colors from DMC:

red 321, pink 3716, green 702, light green 907, aqua 3811, light aqua 747, brown 436, dark brown 3031, peach 950.

Here is the embroidery pattern for you to use! You can also download the PDF version here.

When you're done embroidering, cut out each figure leaving an inch all around the edge and making the bottom flat. Cut another piece of fabric the same shape for the back and pin the fabric pieces together front sides facing. Now sew them together around the edge, leaving the bottom open as well as a 2 inch hole on one side. 

Cut a piece of white felt for the bottom. You'll need an oval shape about 2x2 1/2 inches for Santa and 2x3 inches for the two elves. Spread the bottom of the figure open into an oval shape, then pin and sew the base piece in place.

Trim and notch the edges (or use pinking shears) then turn each figure right side out. 

Using a funnel, fill the bottom 1 inch with about 1/4 cup of dry beans or rice (I find lentils are perfect) and then firmly stuff the rest of the figure. Stitch up the side hole using the Hidden Stitch. (You can find a description of that stitch right here!)

Now stand up your cuties and have fun with them! Mine are on my mantle right now hanging in a candy land forest with my felt gingerbread house.

Don't forget to check out my new book, it's one of my favorites! You can have a peek inside (and grab even MORE free patterns) right here.

Enjoy, and come back for another new post next week. 

Happy Holidays!

xo aimee

Gingerbread Cookies free embroidery pattern

I'm so excited to share some super fun and sweet Free embroidery patterns with you this Holiday season! I've chosen some special motifs from my newest book, Doodle Stitching: The Christmas Collection Transfer Pack and I'll be posting the patterns once a week up until Christmas so pop in and grab them, and have fun stitching away.

Up first, a Gingerbread Boy and Girl. Gingerbread cookies are some of my favorites, they are so much fun to decorate! I'm looking forward to baking and decorating cookies with my littles soon. What are your favorite homemade holiday cookies?

These two are stitched up using the Split Stitch on the outlines and French Knots, Back Stitches, Scallop Stitches and Satin Stitches on the interior details. 

If you'd like to use my candy sweet color palette, here are my favorite floss colors from DMC:

red 321, pink 3716, green 702, light green 907, brown 436

Here's the pattern for you to trace, you can also click here to download the PDF version. 

Don't forget to check out my new book, it's one of my favorites! You can have a peek inside (and grab even MORE free patterns) right here.

You will also love this Candy Land Land Felt Gingerbread House sewing pattern! This set is super fun to make and display, mine is up on my mantle right now. The PDF download is available at www.littledear.etsy.com.

Happy Holidays!!

xo aimee