fire and iris Rustic Tree Stitch Canvas Instructions
- June 1, 2024
- fire and iris
Table of Contents
fire and iris Rustic Tree Stitch Canvas
About the Guide
This is a low-stress guide. Always feel free to use whatever fibers and stitches you’d like. This is your project after all! We do recommend reading this entire guide once prior to starting your project, just so you have an idea of how this project flows. Additionally, at the end, we have some tips and suggestions for things to add to this tree to really make it your own. If you are planning to add a monogram, or other wording or numbers to the center of the tree, please finish reading the guide first, as you’ll want to add that prior to starting to stitch this project.
Thread Recommendations:
(Note: you are welcome to substitute out fibers for ones you prefer/ones
that are in your stash! It is recommended for the greenery on the tree to use
3 different shades of green)
*denotes items included in the kit
Background:
Pepper Pot – Salt (002)* (1 skein)
Wreath:
Essentials (1 card each):
Sienna (600)
Eucalyptus (727)
Bough (732)
Wreath (730)
Other Fiber Suggestions:
French Knots:
Essentials Cardinal (553)
Fyre Works (FT15) or (FT12)
Or any fiber/color you’d like to add a little pop of color to your tree!
Bow:
River Silks 4mm (#161- or any color you’d like!)
Optional Supply Suggestions/Recommendations:
Frame
Frame tacks
Beading needle
Clear beading thread
Seed beads, size 14/15 suggested
Part 1: Background
Thread: Pepper Pot – Salt (002)
Stitch: “Skip t stitch” (Diagram Below)
Note: I recommend completing the entire background before moving on. I’ve found it makes it easier than trying to compensate around the stitched tree. Because this stitch is open, you will have space to complete the tree and add other embellishments.
Note 2: I’ve marked on the corners of the canvas with a suggested background size. This will create an approximately 3 x 4in square.
Part 2: Tree Trunk (painted brown section)
Threads: Essentials – Sienna (600)
Stitch: Interlocking gobelin or tent stitches
Part 2: Tree Stems (painted brown section)
Threads: Essentials – Sienna (600)
Stitch: Stem stitch or tent stitches (both diagramed below)
Stem stitch continued (diagram below demonstrates how to turn a rounded corner)
Continental stitch (diagram below)
Part 3: Tree Greens
Thread:
Eucalyptus (727)
Bough (732)
Wreath (730)
Stitch: Vine stitch (diagram below. Note – this stitch is stitched all in the same color, using the same needle and thread. The two colors in the diagram are just to help delineate where to carry your thread)
One note before we get into this section : the example tree on the cover of this guide is stitched according to this guide (3 layers of green with 3 different shades of green thread). You are totally welcome to stitch as many layers as you want (could be just 1, could be even more!). You are also welcome to stitch this in as many shades of green as you want (could be just 1 or could be more than 3). Have fun with this section! Remember, real trees aren’t perfect – the more organic it is, the better
This section is done in 3 rounds.
The first round uses the darkest shade of green you have. If using our thread recommendations, you’ll use Essentials Bough (732) for this first round.
You’ll start stitching using the vine stitch by bringing your needle up as close as you can to the stitched brown stem. Following the diagram, you’ll stitch this vine stitch in lines, starting at the bottom of the tree and working your way up to the top, until you’ve completed the tree.
Tip: When stitching this portion, I recommend flipping your canvas upside down (photo below). You’ll stitch it according to the diagram this way, and then the stitches will be oriented down when done.
One more note – because this stitch is worked in a line, you’ll need to create multiple lines in order to cover the tree. Below is a diagram to provide an example. How many lines you choose to stitch is up to you!
When you’re done round 1, it should look something like this:
The second round uses the lightest shade of green you have. If using our thread recommendations, you’ll use Essentials Eucalyptus (727).
You’ll start stitching using the vine stitch the same way you started round 1. Again, following the diagram, you’ll stitch this vine stitch in rows, moving from the bottom of the tree to the top, until you’ve completed the tree. When you’re done round 2, it should look something like this:
The third round uses the medium shade of green you have. If using our thread recommendations, you’ll use Essentials Wreath (730).
You’ll start stitching using the vine stitch the same way you started round 1. Again, following the diagram, you’ll stitch this vine stitch in rows, working your way from the bottom of the tree to the top, until you’ve completed the tree. When you’re done round 3, it should look something like this:
Ta -Da! You’ve completed your tree!
Optional Add Ons
Monogram:
If you’d like to add a monogram or lettering or numbers on your canvas, I recommend adding this before you start stitching. You will want to stitch this when you stitch the background, and definitely prior to stitching the green portion of the tree.
Beads and More:
If you like to bead, or want to give it a go, beads would be a wonderful touch. You could stitch individual beads to look like ornaments, or even string some beads together to look like a little garland within the tree!
Supplies:
Beading needle
Clear beading thread
Seed beads, size 14/15 suggested
How to:
a. Using a beading needle and beading thread/clear thread, anchor your
thread on the back of the canvas and then bring your needle and thread up from
the back of the canvas to the front of the canvas. (Note: it’s important
to make this switch to a beading needle and thread – the beads won’t fit over
the usual tapestry needle and needlepoint thread),
b. Add a bead on to your needle
c. Insert your needle into an adjacent hole on the canvas and pull your
thread through
d. Your bead should now be sitting on the top of your canvas
Charms would be another great addition. Many needlepoint shops carry them, and there are a variety of offerings from snowflakes, baubles, to even ones that look like little lights!
French Knots:
A quick stitch that can easily help elevate your tree! Some suggestions
include:
Essentials Cardinal (553) – to look like berries Fyre Works Gold ( FT15 ) or
Silver ( FT12 ) – to look like gold or silver “bells” or ornaments You could
also do two shades of a color to look like ornaments – or even a whole rainbow
of color to really make it pop!
Supplies:
Thread of choice
Tapestry needle, size #22
How to:
a. Anchor your thread on the back of your canvas and bring your needle up
from the back to the front of the canvas.
b. With your non-needle hand, wrap the working end of the thread around
your needle once
c. Insert your needle into an adjacent hole on the canvas (tip: keep hold
of the thread with your non-needle hand and hold some tension)
d. Slowly pull your needle through until you’ve created a little knot on
the front of the canvas (tip: as with step 3, keep hold of the thread with
your non-needle hand and hold some tension. Let go once there is little to no
thread left to hold)
A video demo for French knots can be found at: https://fireandirisdesigns.com/pages/fire-and-iris-tree-canvasstitch-guide
Bow:
Another fun touch! A bow could be added to the top of the tree. For mine, I used River Silks (#161) 4mm, but any color ribbon would be gorgeous!
Supplies:
Ribbon
Tapestry needle, size #22
Beading needle
Clear thread
How to: (note: this is how I like to add a bow to my canvas. There are many ways to do this, so if you have a different/preferred method other than this one, please do so!)
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Cut two pieces of ribbon. One approximately 4inches in length, the other approximately 16inches in length. (The second longer piece will serve as your bow, so cut this to your desired size. We’re just providing a suggested length for this piece).
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Anchor your ribbon. Using the smaller length of ribbon, bring your needle with the ribbon up from the back to the front of the canvas and leave a small tail of ribbon on the back of canvas. Make a single tent stitch and pull your needle and ribbon to the back of your canvas. This tent stitch should be placed where you would like the center of your bow positioned. On the back side of the canvas, pierce your needle through the small tail of ribbon you left when you started and pull your needle and ribbon all the way through. This will anchor your ribbon. Set this piece of ribbon aside for the moment (you’ll pick this up in one of the last steps).
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Take your longer piece of ribbon and thread your needle with it. In a space to the right of the tent stitch you just made, bring your needle with the ribbon down from the front of the canvas to the back of the canvas and leave a long tail. Then bring your needle back up just to the left of the tent stitch you previously made. Unthread your needle. You should now have two tails of ribbon on the front of your canvas that are positioned to the right and left of your ribbon tent stitch. Pull the tails of ribbon until they are approximately the same length. (photo below)
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Make two loops with your ribbon (one with each tail) and make a bow (think the “bunny-ear method” to bow making). Adjust the loops and the tails until you are happy with the size and shape of the bow.
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Take a beading needle and clear thread. Anchor this thread on the back of your canvas and bring it up just in front of the knot at the center of the bow. Pierce the center of the knot with your needle and thread as you bring the needle and thread to the back of canvas. Do this one more time and tie-off. I do this to secure the bow to the canvas and help make sure it doesn’t come unraveled.
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Next – take the smaller piece of ribbon (from step 2), thread it on your needle and bring it to the front of the canvas, just above the knot on the bow. Lay the ribbon over the center knot of the bow and make the stitch by bringing your needle and ribbon to the back of the canvas, just under the knot on the bow. Make sure the ribbon is laying flat over the center. Tie your ribbon off by piercing your needle through the small tail of ribbon you created at the start. I found this step is mostly cosmetic and helps to give the bow a nice clean look.
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Cut the tails of your bow to your desired length. Remember to cut the ribbon on a diagonal – this helps to reduce fraying.
A video demo for this bow can be found at: https://fireandirisdesigns.com/pages/fire-and-iris-tree-canvasstitch-guide
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