Embroider a Positive Affirmation Hoop on Upcycled Denim!

Spring is the season of renewal.  Refresh your outlook by embroidering a hoop that brightens your day every time you look at it.  Choose a meaningful word or phrase and get stitching!
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To do this project, you’ll need:

• A pair of pre-loved jeans
• A Sharpie permanent marker
• A 4” diameter embroidery hoop
• A DMC Magic Paper soluble sheet
• Embroidery floss and sashiko thread/pearl cotton thread in your favorite colors
• Fabric remnants, beads, buttons, and silk ribbon in complementary colors
• Embroidery needles
• A piece of felt
• A hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

 
1. Cut a piece of denim from the jeans that is large enough to insert into the embroidery hoop.
2. Use a permanent marker to draw a small oval in the center of the denim and color in the shape.  After the marker has fully dried, iron over the drawing without steam for about 3 minutes to set the ink.  You’ve created the background for the lettering you’ll stitch later. 
3. Place the fabric in the embroidery hoop.
4. Write a word or phrase of your choice on the Magic Paper.  Make sure the lettering will fit within the oval background.
5. Remove the backing from the Magic Paper and apply it like a sticker to the surface of the fabric you’ll embroider.  It’s sewing time!
6. Use backstitch to embroider the word or phrase of your choice with two strands of embroidery floss in a color that contrasts with the oval background.
​7. When you’ve finished stitching the lettering, dissolve the Magic Paper in cold water according to the instructions.  Allow the fabric to fully dry. 

8. Insert the fabric in the embroidery hoop again.  Further embellish the denim with fabric remnants cut into shapes and straight stitch.  Use different colors and types of thread and sew in different directions to create visual interest.  I used both embroidery floss and sashiko thread for this project.  If you can’t find sashiko thread, pearl cotton thread is a great substitute.  Add beads, buttons, crystals, and other found items.

9. When you’ve finished your design, cut a 4” diameter round piece of felt to tuck into the reverse side of the embroidery hoop.  Use a few drops of hot glue to attach the felt to the inner hoop.
​10. Trim the denim about 1/2” bigger than the outer hoop.  Work a running stitch around the edge and pull the thread to gather it.  Knot the thread tightly several times.  

11. Create a hanger by tying a silk ribbon to the screw fitting of the embroidery hoop.  You could also use twine or a thin piece of lace to create a hanger.

​Your project is ready to display.  Enjoy your daily dose of inspiration!