FORGET ME NOTS & PANSY PROJECT

LEVEL = Moving on from beginner

Introduction
This project is aimed at the beginner. It is recommended that you get detailed instructions on the
technique from either the DVD The Long & The Short Of It or one of my previous books such as Long &
Short Stitch Embroidery: A Collection Of Flowers.
Printing Out Instructions.
The instructions can be printed out on your printer or emailed to a copy shop who will print out for you. It
is recommended that you print on high to get the best quality. When Printing out the PDF use the fit to
page setting.
Materials
Piece of cotton satin fabric approx 28 x 32cm
DMC Stranded Cotton as per list
Crewel Needle size 9 /10
Preparation
Wash and iron the fabric.
Transfer the outline onto the fabric.
Draw in guidelines with a pencil.
Mount in hoop or frame ensuring that the fabric is drum tight.
Fabric
Ensure that you purchase a fabric that has a very close weave such as:
1.
2.
3.

Cotton satin available on my website www.trishburr.co.za

Good quality linen for surface embroidery (not cross stitch linen)
Cotton such as quilting cotton with a high count.

Print out the sweet pea outline and tape onto a window. Place the fabric on top of this and tape in place.
Make sure it is centered. Trace the outline with an hb pencil.

DMC Threads Used

In this Design
351
7

352
11

402
801

934
12
3

951
967
3011
3012

4
9
10

1
2

3013
3047
3051
3747
3770
3822
3824
3832

TRACING OUTLINE

STITCH DIAGRAM

3854
3853
3855
3856
3861

A3012

A3012 B3011 C3051 D934

A3047 B3013 C3012 D3011 E934

1. Leaves

2. Bottom leaf

3. Top leaf

Outline all the leaves with split stitch using

two strands A

Start from the outside edge and work in

towards the centre vein. Fill with long and
short stitch using A B C. Fill the centre vein
with split stitch using one strand D.

Start from the outside edge and work in

towards the centre vein as before. Fill each
side of the leaf with long and short stitching
as follows:
Top side = A B C
Bottom side = B C D
Fill the centre vein with split stitch using one
strand E.

A3013 B3012 C3011

A3770 B967 C3824 D352

A951 B3856 C402

4. Small leaf

5. Petal One

6. Petal Two

Fill the top side of the leaf with satin stitch in

A

Outline the petal with split stitch using two

strands B. Fill the petal with long and short
stitch from the outside edge in towards the
centre using A B C D.

Outline the petal with split stitch using two

strands A. Fill the petal with long and short
stitch from the outside edge in towards the
centre using A B C.

Fill the bottom side of the leaf with long and

short stitch in B C

A951 B3856 C402

A3855 B3854 C3853 D351

A3824 B352 C351 D3832

7. Petal Three

8. Petal Four

9. Petal Five

Outline the petal with split stitch using two

strands A. Fill the petal with long and short
stitch from the outside edge in towards the
centre using A B C .

Outline the petal with split stitch using two

strands A. Fill the petal with long and short
stitch from the outside edge in towards the
centre using A B C D.

Outline the petal with split stitch using two

strands A. Fill the petal with long and short
stitch from the outside edge in towards the
centre using A B C D.

A 3822 B3013 C801

A3747 B3861

A3013 B3012 C3822

10. Pansy Centre

11. Forget me not Flowers

12. Flower centers.

Fill the centre triangle with satin stitch using

one strand B. Make two smaller triangles on
either side of this using one strand A. Make
long straight stitches from the centre out into
the main front petal in C as shown.

Outline each petal with split stitch in A. Fill

each petal with long and short stitch in A. Go
back and add in a few straight stitches at the
base of the petals in B for a shadow.

Combine one strand each of A & C together in

the needle. Insert French knots in the centre
using one twist.
Completion.
Fill the small leaf with long and short stitch
using A B. Fill the stems with split stitch using
A.

STITCH GLOSSARY

French Knots in 3 steps

Starting & Ending Off

1.

On a line make a tiny stitch about 1cm away from the starting point.
Make another one or two tiny back stitches back towards the starting point.
These stitches will be covered up as you stitch.

2.
3.

Bring the needle up through the fabric and twist once around
the needle.
Insert the needle back near close but not into the original hole.
Push the needle back down into the fabric while holding the
thread. A knot is formed.

In a motif make a tiny stitch inside the motif. Make a second tiny stitch at
right angles to this and back into (piercing) the first stitch. You now have
your securing stitch. Cut the tail off at the back of the work and begin
stitching.

Satin Stitch

Split Stitch

The stitches are worked evenly side by side

across a motif.

This is like back stitch but you need to pierce

the previous stitch before making the next
stitch.

To work padded satin stitch fill the motif with

straight stitches first as shown, then cover
with satin stitches.

Long & Short Stitch Tutorials

For detailed information on this technique it is
recommended that you refer to the DVD The Long & The
Short Of It or the book The Beginners Guide To Needle
painting.

Long & Short Stitch

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Outline the motif with split stitch.

Stitch the first line of long and short stitch from inside the motif and over the split stitch outline. This first row will be more like staggered satin stitch. The
stitches will be about 1cm in length.
Work from the centre out towards one side of the motif and then go back and complete the other side.
You may need to change the angle of your stitches occasionally to follow the shape of the motif (the curve). Go back and add in little wedge stitches in the
gaps.
Complete the first row, the stitches should be very full and close together.
Start stitching the second row. Bring the needle up through the previous stitches and down in the fabric. Make staggered stitches across the motif in line
with the guidelines and then go back and fill in the gaps.
You need to go right back about two thirds back into the previous row and bring some of the stitches forward. This will make sure that the stitches are
staggered and no hard lines form.
Work all other rows as for row two.