Elephant baby blanket S Step 2

Elephant baby blanket
This ribbon-embroidered blanket is the perfect gift for a beautiful baby
S
ilk-ribbon embroidery adds handstitched luxury to any item, and it is
remarkably easy to do. The design on this
lovely baby blanket is worked in silk ribbon,
silk embroidery threads and felt appliqué.
You’ll need
1m x 75cm wool flannel (doctor flannel);
30cm square grey felt; Rajmahal threads
nos. 226, 421, 93, 211, 171, 29, Madeira
metallic threads in Silver and Astro 1;
invisible thread; 2m each of 4mm silk
embroidery ribbons, nos. 13, 15, 125,
33, 31, 163; no. 9 crewel needle; no.
18 chenille needle; 1.3m cotton lining
fabric; water erasable
fabric-marking pen;
30cm embroidery hoop.
Here’s how
Step 1 Double size of pattern on a
Step 2 Draw around the cloud, marking
it in different positions on the flannel with
a fabric-marking pen; turn the pattern each
time to make clouds at different angles. Draw
around a coin for the sun then trace outline
of the umbrella. Refer to the pattern to mark
in the umbrella ribs, internal markings on
clouds and details on elephants.
Step 3 Using two strands of no. 226, stemstitch around outline of elephants and fill in
body details. To make the little tufts of hair,
fold several full strands of no. 226 in half
and stitch in place. Trim. To make tails, fold a
60cm length of grey thread in half and make
a twisted cord, or plait three strands. Knot
ends and, using a chenille needle, thread
twisted cord through felt and flannel and
stitch securely to back of fabric.
Step 4 Stem-stitch outline, ribs and infill
photocopier. From the pattern, cut out
elephants in one piece, then cut out the
clouds and the umbrella. Mark centre of
flannel fabric. Pin elephant pattern to grey
felt, and cut out with small sharp scissors. Pin
or tack elephants to the flannel, positioning
top of large head in centre. Machine-stitch
elephants in place using invisible thread and
a small zigzag stitch.
combination of one strand of each metallic
thread worked together. Stem-stitch sun
outline and rays using no. 93 and mouth in
no. 171. The eye is a French knot worked in
two strands of no. 171. Work flowers in silkembroidery ribbons (see box at right).
Step 5 When embroidery is complete,
remove any visible fabric-pen marks by
dabbing gently with a wet cotton bud. Let dry.
To attach backing fabric, centre embroidered
flannel on backing fabric, wrong sides facing,
and pin together. Trim corners of the backing
fabric at 45°, 2.5cm from corner of flannel.
Turn under and finger-press 1cm seam
allowance on straight edges of backing
fabric. Turn under and finger-press 2.5cm
allowance at trimmed corners. Fold backing
fabric to front of blanket, adjust corners
to form a neat mitre and ladder-stitch the
mitred corners. Slip-stitch straight edges to
the flannel.
of umbrella using two strands of no.
211 and the handle from two strands
of no. 171. Stemstitch clouds
using a
Cloud can be used alone
Forget-me-nots
Flower centres
Flower petals
Leaves
Pink daisies
Flower centres
Flower petals
Leaves
Lemon daisies
Flower centres
Flower petals
Leaves
Tufts of grass
Rajmahal thread
15 (bright yellow)
125 (light blue)
31 (light apple green)
French knots
French knots
ribbon-stitch
15 (bright yellow)
163 (light rose pink)
33 (medium blue green)
French knots
ribbon-stitch
ribbon-stitch
15 (bright yellow)
13 (pale lemon)
33 (medium blue green)
French knot
ribbon-stitch
ribbon-stitch
421 (green earth)
straight-stitch
A tiny silver spider web is worked among the foliage using straight-stitch and
one strand of silver thread. The spider is a French knot worked in two strands
of no. 29 (black).
http://www.bhg.com.au
Design by Helen Dafter
http://www.bhg.com.au