Machine Embroidery
Handmade Cards & Tags

Envelopes

Continue the embroidery on the envelope. Adhere the envelope's flap to hooped stabilizer, and embroider a corner motif (for pointed flaps), a border or small spot motif.

You can make your own envelopes from any paper. Purchase an envelope template, or carefully open all the flaps on a purchased envelope to use as a pattern.

Tags

Embroider gift tags to top your holiday gifts--they can even double as ornaments for the recipient's tree.

Purchase ready-made, paper gift tags, adhere them to hooped stabilizer, and embroider a name on the tag. Lower the letters' stitching density, or choose a running-stitch font to avoid perforating the tag completely. Glue a second tag or a scrap of decorative paper to the wrong side to conceal the bobbin stitching. To further embellish the tag, embroider a motif on the second tag before gluing the two together.

Or stitch a design on cardstock and back the embroidery with blank cardstock. Trim around the motif through both layers. Punch a hole for ribbon or cord, and write the recipient's name on the blank side (6).

Another possibility for embroidered gift tags: Begin with an ornament design or an appliqué shape bordered with satin stitches. Stitch the motif as usual on cardstock, but stop before the outline stitches.

Slide blank cardstock face down under the hooped embroidery, and stitch the appliqué's running-stitch guideline around the motif perimeter. Don't stitch the satin-stitch outline.

Remove the stabilizer from the hoop, and trim all layers about 1/8" outside the running stitches (7). Punch a hole for ribbon or cord and attach the tag to your package.

From the December 2004 issue of Sew News magazine.