This is a straight forward and quite quick project, using the structure of the garment to direct the stitching.
The cardigan has a band up the front, and around the back of the neck and back down the other side, which is an ideal space for embroidered decoration.
Fern stitch can be completed with a lovely flowing wave, and I used this to create a frond-like effect, alternating the direction of the wave down the design.
After tracing the design the required number of times, I cut the lengths of sticky solvy and stuck them to the garment with the wave of each frond mirroring its opposite.
Using a knot-less start and finish, I stitched from the inside of the design toward the top with a running stitch, then stitched over the start with the fern stitch.
To complete each motif, I stitched back up the stem a few stitches, from the base of the design.
Before starting the project, I tested three different threads to see which I preferred.
The Mouline Satin is a rayon thread, soft, silky glossy - S310
The Mouline Etoile floss is a soft cotton thread with lurex glitter - C310
The Mouline Light Effects is stiff and shiny - E310.
In the end, I chose the rayon thread, however any one of them would have given a lovely result.
The end result of this project is subtle and maybe a little understated, but not every embellishment needs to stand out.
To watch this project come together on YouTube, click here.
To watch our video tutorial on Fern Stitch, click here.
