How to Videos

There are many easy ways to finish your folk embroidery project. One of the great things about folk embroidery is that it's meant to be used and enjoyed in your daily life. In these how to videos, I'll show you how to cross stitch, backstitch, stitch classic embroidery surface stitches, stitch a drawn thread hem, and sew your folk embroidery into a cushion cover, wall hanging, or drawstring bag. And, if you want to add folk embroidery to garments, check out my Folk Flourish videos.

If you're brand-new to folk embroidery or surface embroidery and have purchased an Avlea Folk Embroidery kit, I suggest watching the Unwinding Floss Hank video first and then watch the How to Cross Stitch video (for folk embroidery kits) or How to Stitch Surface Embroidery Stitches videos.

How to unwind your floss hank:

Hold your floss hank with the loop at the top. Look and see how the two ends come out of the slipknot. Pull those two ends apart to undo the slipknot. You will now have a two yard loop of floss. Cut at one end if you like your floss in two yard lengths (used for loop start method). Cut your floss at both ends if you prefer one yard lengths.

How to cross stitch:


How to use loop start method for cross stitch:


Tips for using backstitch outline stitches in cross stitch designs:



How to finish your cross stitch or embroidery hoop kit with felt backing:

How to stitch embroidery hoop kits:

How to sew a lined bag with the Blue Indigo kit (keep scrolling down for the Greek liined bag method with the Ione kit):

 

 

How to stitch a embroidered table runner with the Kithira Begonia kit:


How to stitch the Greek atzolati technique:



How to use the easy fringe finish for cross stitch:


How to work a drawn thread hem (simple version):


How to work a drawn thread hem (complex version):

How to fringe finish your cross stitch:

Cushions are a common way to enjoy folk embroidery in many folk embroidery traditions around the world. In fact, in Greek folk embroidery tradition, the number and complexity of a family's cushion collection denoted their status! I use an easy envelope back method that will have you turning your folk embroidery into a cushion in less than two hours. You can use one of my Cushion Back Kits or the fabric of your choice. If you would like a quick overview of the technique, watch the How to Make a Cushion Cover Short Video. When you're ready to sew your own, watch the How to Sew a Folk Embroidery into a Cushion Cover video.

 How to finish your cross stitch as a cushion (short version):


 How to finish your cross stitch as a cushion (long version):

 
Want more options for finishing your folk embroidery? Here are more options for using your folk embroidery in your daily life!


How to stitch with the Folk Flourish embellishment technique (short version):


How to stitch with the Folk Flourish embellishment technique (long version):


How to finish your cross stitch as a wall hanging:


How to finish your cross stitch as a drawstring bag (this is the correct video with no repeating segments!):




How to finish your cross stitch as an ornament, coaster, or pincushion:

(How to Whip Stitch video below)



How to Whip Stitch:

If you're looking for ideas on using our new trims from Greece, here's a quick video:


I continue to add more how-to videos as I hear from Avlea stitchers about things they want to learn, so if you have an idea for a video, please email me at avleaembroidery@gmail.com. Thank you!