I’m so excited to share what I’ve been playing around with the last couple of weeks: beautiful embroidered borders! We recently had a wonderful time learning how to do beaded borders with pearls, and now I thought it was time to try using different types of threads—specifically, using a lovely metallic thread and regular embroidery floss. It’s such an easy and beautiful way to give your project edges a little something extra!

My Practice Setup and Materials

To practice these new stitches, I’m still using my trusty system. I’ve taken a pillowcase, cut it into 6-inch pieces, divided them in half, and then sewn lines down the fabric. These lines act as a guidance for my stitching and it seems to be working out wonderfully!

For a stable workspace, I have this neat wooden board that my husband made for me. I simply clip my fabric piece onto the wood using dollar store clamps, and it holds everything perfectly. This setup makes it so much easier than trying to juggle the fabric and the needle at the same time.

For this specific project, I am using a metallic thread, so I made sure to thread it onto a needle with a larger eye opening.

Masterclass: The Rosabird Stitch

I found this particular pattern online from a wonderful resource called Rosabird, and it’s a very simple yet elegant stitch to master!

Here is my process for completing the beautiful border:

1. Establish the Span: I start by counting four stitches on my fabric and inserting my needle at that point. I then bring the needle up four stitches across. This creates the starting thread line for the design.
2. Secure the Thread: I take my floss (or metallic thread) and wrap it once around the needle, just like so. Then, I gently pull the needle all the way through, ensuring the thread is held nice and firm against the fabric.
3. The Weave: This is where the magic happens! I take the butt end (the blunt end) of my needle and simply insert it underneath the thread I just laid down. I pull it taut and that completes my very first decorative loop. It’s so simple to do!
4. Counting the Loops: I repeat this weaving process a total of 12 times. This creates a beautiful, closely molded cluster of stitches that forms the border section.
5. Moving to the Next Section: Once the 12 loops are finished, I use my thumb to hold the completed stitches in place. I then count four more stitches down on the fabric, insert the needle, and count four more across to pull it up—starting the next span of thread and beginning the next 12-loop cluster all over again!

Fran’s Crucial Stitching Tip

There is one thing you must constantly be aware of, especially when using metallic or shiny cording: untwisting your thread!

If your thread gets too twisted up, it’s going to knot, and metallic material in particular is incredibly difficult to loosen once it knots. I just let my needle hang and dangle every so often, which allows the thread to naturally untwist and straighten itself out. You have to do this more frequently with the shiny threads than with normal floss, but it will save you so much frustration!

What’s Next for the Finished Piece?

This whole process is actually quite fun to do, and because it’s not overly complicated, I’m getting lots of great practice!

Once I complete this entire embroidered piece, I’ll take it off the wooden board and store it away. It’s perfect for using later on, maybe as an elegant border for the bottom of a dress or a skirt. My plan is to keep going, finding new, simple patterns online, trying them out with different colors and different types of floss. And if I run out of my pillowcase practice strips? I’ll just make some more!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stitching!