Spring Tree -- Canvas
Designed and Stitched by Lou Kilgore

Materials:

  • 18-count canvas or 24-count Congress Cloth - 8" square - (sample worked on Congress Cloth)
  • Stretcher bars - to fit canvas square
  • Tree Trunk
    • Needle Necessities Overdyed Floss #1281 (brown)
      or
    • Sampler Threads Color-Maple Tree
  • Leaves
    • Needle Necessities Overdyed Floss #131 (green)
      or
    • Sampler Thread Color-Spring Grass
      or
    • Anchor Six-Strand Embroidery Thread #264 and #261
  • Blossoms
    • DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Thread #776 (pink) or desired color
  • DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Thread to match canvas color
  • #24 tapestry needle
  • Refer to Finishing Instructions for materials needed for finishing the ornament.

Trace the oval-shaped template onto the canvas and mount the canvas on stretcher bars as explained in the General Instructions.

Stitch two rows of continental stitch around the outer shape (see General Instructions) using 3 (Congress Cloth) or 4 (18-count canvas) strands of DMC 6-Strand Embroidery Thread (matching canvas color).

Tree Trunk and Branches

Using 2-3 strands of the tree trunk thread, outline the tree trunk and branches in outline stitch. Then fill in with the Offset Brick Stitch using the same thread.

Outline Stitch Offset Brick Stitch

Leaves

Using 2-3 strands of green leaves thread, work Smyrna Crosses throughout the branches. See the photos for an idea of placement. You can work as many as you wish.
Smyrna Cross

Blossoms

Finally, using 2-3 strands of the thread you have selected for the flowers, work French Knots to represent the tree's blossoms. Scatter some on the ground, too.

Step 1 Step 2 Finished Knot

See the finishing instructions to complete the tree as an ornament or as a brooch.

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Last Updated July 7, 2008