There are some moments in parenting that make all the crumbs on the floor, stickers on the car window and rock-hard Legos underfoot feel worth it. For me, it’s seeing my daughter’s small hand peeking out from a heap of 45 stuffed animals on her bed, holding up an a strong and intentional sign language “I love you” as I turn off the light for the evening.
Well, them and people who needed sign language to communicate because someone in the family couldn’t hear.
I’ll flash it at her if we’re in a loud, noisy place place to let her know that a spiritual umbilical cord still binds us, even when she’s bravely left my side to try something new. Mike and I use it with each other daily in the resolute way soldiers might salute each other before heading into battle. And the grandparents, aunts and uncles have adopted it as a way to wave goodbye.
This is a free embroidery pattern and you can make it in about an hour for a few dollars. So, there’s a lot to like about that…
“I love you” Embroidery Design Supplies
• “I love you” embroidery design, printed out
• embroidery thread – DMC 3801 + DMC 955
• cotton fabric
• embroidery needle
• embroidery hoop
• carbon paper + pencil or other method for tracing the pattern onto the fabric
• acrylic paint + paintbrush if you want to paint your hoop
• scissors
I used a 7″ hoop to frame my design, but the free pattern download includes versions for 5″, 7″ and 8″ hoops.
If you’re new to embroidery, this is an awesome pattern to start with because it only involves two stitches. For an explanation of the stitches used, check out this tutorial from Craftsy.
Instructions
1. Trace the pattern onto your fabric. If you’re using carbon paper, this means you’ll layer your fabric on the bottom, the carbon paper (carbon side down) on top of the fabric and the pattern on top of that. Then trace around the pattern with a pencil or pen, pushing down quite hard.
3. Give the hand a quick manicure by filling in the fingernails with a satin stitch.
4. Paint your hoop, if you’d like.
If you gallery walls as much as I do, you might enjoy these DIY wall art projects:
DIY Wall Art With Quotes (pictured in the last photo above)
Popsicle Stick Hexagon Shelf
DIY Button Art (so sweet for nurseries!)
“Reclaimed Wood” Coffee Stirrer Wall Art
Geometric Heart Art With Popsicle Sticks
And for lots more fantastic ideas involving needles and thread, follow me on Pinterest!
Visit Jess @ Make and Do Crew’s profile on Pinterest.
8 Comments
Kristen
May 2, 2016 at 4:08 pmCan I have access to the I love you embroidery sign?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
May 2, 2016 at 4:09 pmHey Kristen,
Yes! You sure can! Simply enter your email address at the bottom of the post in the box with pink and green. You should immediatly get an email with download instructions. Let me know if you have any trouble!
Happy embroidering!
Jess
Debbie
June 24, 2017 at 1:03 pmNot only a sweet craft but a very sweet story behind it too !
We can all use a bit more love in the world.
Ty for sharing.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
June 25, 2017 at 9:21 pmHey Debbie,
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks so much for your kind note. 🙂
Jess
vee zeno
July 20, 2017 at 10:32 amIs this hand sign still available
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
August 9, 2017 at 10:07 pmIt sure is! If you subscribe in the box above, you’ll receive a link and password to download it.
Aimee Aimee
October 12, 2017 at 11:49 pmThank you for a great explanation. I was looking online for a similar idea and really appreciate it.
孟辰
April 10, 2018 at 4:43 amthanks for sharing. 🙂