Embroidered Christmas cards

After my first attempt at paper embroidery I decided to try the same technique to make some Christmas cards this year. Here's how they came out:



If you'd like to have a go, here's a small photo tutorial.


Create your designs, either hand-drawn or on the computer. If you want to use mine, you can find them here. Make the designs fairly simple and don't put lines too close together as the holes might tear when you punch them.


Tape to the front of the card, then you need to pre-punch the holes before stitching. I found the easiest way was to stick my needle into a rubber eraser and use that as a kind of handle. Punch holes about 3-5mm apart - not too close or the paper might tear.


Here's the whole design punched. Keep the drawing as reference..


And get stitching! Simple outline backstitch works best here.


To finish, cover the messy stitchwork inside with another piece of card.