RED PANDA EMBROIDERY (FREE PATTERN)
Excerpted with permission from Whimsical Felt Embroidery: 30 Easy Projects for Creating Exquisite Wall Art.
I’d be hard-pressed to think of an animal much cuter than the red panda. Their beautiful cinnamon-colored fur and distinctive facial markings make them a perfect subject for felt embroidery. Watch how the layers of white and black felt on the cinnamon head bring your red panda to life! This sweet panda would look especially cute with a little bow tie or perhaps a flower crown for those looking for an additional embroidery challenge.
Step 1
MATERIALS: Stitches: Running stitch, backstitch, and straight stitch. Hoop size:7-inch (18-cm) round. Fabric:9-inch (23-cm) square of fabric (teal with purple wood grain pattern) Felt colors: Cinnamon, white and black Embroidery floss colors: White, dark burnt orange and black. Other materials: Fabric scissors, paper scissors, regular adhesive tape, straight pins, embroidery needle, ruler and water-soluble fabric pen. Hoop the fabric and trim the excess, leaving at least 1inch (2.5 cm) excess around the entire hoop.
Step 2
Template Transfer and Felt Fabric Instructions Transfer the red panda template (#1) onto the cinnamon-colored felt fabric and secure it with straight pins. Wait to embroider the head until you stitch the ears into place. When placing the red panda head on the fabric, be sure to leave space at the bottom of the hoop if you wish to add a name or custom text embroidery.
Step 3
Transfer the ear templates (#6) onto the white felt fabric, and pin both ears at the top of the red panda’s head. They should be placed approximately 2-1⁄4 inches (5.7 cm) apart from the inside of both ears. Work a running stitch with four strands of white thread around the perimeter of both ears.
Step 4
Embroider around the perimeter of the panda’s head using six strands of the dark burnt orange thread.
Step 5
Next, transfer the inner ear templates (#7) onto the black felt. Pin both inner ears into the bottom-center of the white ears. Use a running stitch with three strands of black floss around the perimeter of the inner ears. Save the remaining three strands for the red panda’s nose.
Step 6
Transfer the red panda’s muzzle template (#2) onto the white felt. Secure the white muzzle to the bottom-center of the panda’s head. Use your ruler to make sure it is centered at the bottom of the face. Work a running stitch with four strands of white floss around the border of the muzzle. Reserve the remaining white floss for the cheeks.
Excerpted with permission from Whimsical Felt Embroidery: 30 Easy Projects for Creating Exquisite Wall Art.
