Make a Needle Minder with Aimee Ray and her latest book (and a giveaway!)

[cloudcraftshop Admin]

I've long been a fan of Aimee Ray and the gorgeous things she makes with felt. Aimee is also a prolific writer of embroidery books - the latest to be released is Doodle Stitching One Hour Embroidery, due to be published here in the UK on 31/7/21. Using the same freestyle approach to embroidery as in Aimee's other doodle stitching books, this book is all about fast and fun embroidery, with all the projects taking no more than an hour.

With this clever book you can mix and match over 135 different motifs with 18 different projects to create your own original embroidery design. It's perfect for beginners of any age as it covers basic embroidery techniques and stitches really well. I love that there's such a variety of projects to try - from embroidering on clothes, to balsa wood brooches and and a stitched leaf garland. So much inspiration!

I'm really happy to be involved in the blog tour for Aimee's latest book. She's kindly shared with us this cute project from the book to make a felt needle minder. Have a go if you have a spare hour and read on to find out how you can win a free e-copy of this book.

Spool of Thread Needle Minder​

A magnetic needle minder is so handy to have around while stitching. Attach it to your fabric and it will keep your needles and pins safe while you’re not using them.
Materials

• Blue felt: 2” x 4” (5.1 cm x 10.2 cm)
• Tissue paper
• round magnet
• DMC embroidery threads: purple 3836, light purple 3743, dark purple 3834
• Spool of thread embroidery pattern and circle template (link here)

Stitches

• Back Stitch, Running Stitch

Instructions

1. Trace the circle template onto the felt piece twice. One will be the front and one will be the back.
2. To embroider patterns on felt, first trace the embroidery design onto tissue paper. Embroider the design according to the stitch guide, through tissue and felt together, using 3 threads of thread. Gently remove the tissue when you’re done stitching.
3. Cut out each circle and line them up back to back. Begin stitching a running stitch around the edge, 3 mm (1/8 “) from the edge, sewing the two pieces together. When you are half way around the circle, slip one of the magnets in between the felt layers and sew the piece closed. Tie a knot in the seam and pull it through to the inside.
4. Place the needle minder on top of your next sewing or embroidery project and place the other magnet behind the fabric to hold it in place.

Blog tour and giveaway time!​

Follow along with the book blog tour at the destinations below. Each day a winner will randomly be chosen from each of the posts to receive a free e-copy of Doodle Stitching One Hour Embroidery, sent directly by the publisher.
To be in with a chance, leave a comment below before 4th July 2021 and then check out the rest of the blog tour for additional chances to win. Good luck!

June 28
C&T
June 29
Snuggly Monkey
MrXStitch
June 30
Benzie Design
July 1
Jessica Long
Christen Brown
July 2
Wild Olive
Aimee Ray