A friend recently taught me how to do paper embroidery, or pinbroidery. This new needlecraft is easy to learn, especially if you’ve ever done traditional embroidery. Paper embroidery is done by embroidering on heavy cardstock paper. You can make greeting cards, bookmarks, tags, and other paper items. It would work well for many scrap booking projects. This needlecraft looks similar to the string art projects that kids make.
Materials Needed To Do Paper Embroidery
Paper embroidery pattern
Heavy cardstock paper
Pricking tool
Embroidery or metallic thread
Embroidery needle
Glass head straight pins
12″ square protective pad: Foam, Styrofoam, or piece of board insulation can be used Scotch tape
Scissors
Basic Directions For Paper Embroidery
Choose a Paper Embroidery pattern.
Cut a piece of heavy cardstock paper to fit the pattern you chose. You will embroider this piece of cardstock.
Lay the cardstock on top of the protective pad. Center the pattern on top of the cardstock. Use glass head pins to secure the two pieces of paper together. Put the pins through four of the pattern dots at each corner of the design.
Next, prick each hole in your pattern with the pricking tool. You can also use a needle or safety pin, if you can’t find a pricking tool. When all holes are pierced, remove the pattern.
Thread an embroidery needle with embroidery or metallic thread. Most projects use two strands of embroidery thread cut 15² long. Start stitching at any hole. Bring the threaded needle up through the first hole from the back of the card to the front. Secure the end of the thread with a small piece of scotch tape on the back of the cardstock. The patterns will show you the direction your stitches should go. When finished stitching, take the thread to the back of the paper, cut, and tape the end.
When finished stitching, rub the back with the rounded back of a spoon. This will help to close the holes. Cover the stitching on the back side with another piece of cardstock using double-sided tape. If making a greeting card, this will be the card front.
Where To Find Paper Embroidery Patterns and Tools
Free downloadable paper embroidery patterns can be found at Handcrafted Greetings, PinBroidery, and Card Inspirations. These websites also have patterns for sale. The pricking tool and pad can be bought at Terryfic Times. I was lucky to find my pricking tool at the local dollar store.
Paper embroidery is a popular needlecraft in the United Kingdom. I’m sure it will be just as popular in the United States after Americans begin learning how to do it!
