Today, I show you how to use the feather stitch to make this fun pair of deep-sea inspired pants.
**UPDATE: Giveaway closed! Thanks everyone for entering, our winner is Lea Ann who said, "My favorite creature in the sea is the SEAHORSE!!" Great choice Lea Ann :) We'll get in touch with you via email soon!
All you need is a pair of plain old pants, some embroidery floss in coordinating colors, and a needle!
Cut a piece of floss 18-25" long -- shorter is better since it tangles less, but it's frustrating to have to keep rethreading...
Pull the floss apart into individual strands, one at a time; then, put three strands back together again and thread your needle. This step is a little tedious, but it really cuts down on the number of tangles! Knot your threads together at one end.
Ready to do the feather stitch?
1. Bring your needle up to the right side of the fabric.
2. Put your needle back down into the fabric, about 1/4" away from where it just exited. Then, bring the point up directly below the initial stitch point. Wrap your floss around the point of the needle. It can help to think that you're drawing an equilateral triangle with each stitch.
3. Gently pull the floss through.
4. For your second stitch, you have two options: stitch again on the same side, or stitch on the opposite side. You can see both options in the picture above. This will change which way the seaweed "branches". I enjoy alternating directions, but throwing in a stitch or two in the same direction every now and then gives a slightly different effect.
5. When you reach the end, bring your thread to the backside, making a tiny stitch to hold the final loop in place. Tie off your floss on the back.
Embroider more rows of feather stitching! You can vary the number of strands used at a time (I stitched with three, two and one strands) as well as the color -- this gives a very interesting, multi-textured look, without taking a terribly long time.
Then, just for kicks, I added a few rows of featherstitching to the back pocket -- and used satin stitch to sew on a tiny fish! (He's entirely optional though :)
Now your doll has some splashy new pants to wear whenever she feels the urge to pretend she's deep sea diving...
Thanks everybody, and have fun with this!
For Pixie Faire,
Melinda
My favorite creature is the playful dolphin.
My favorite creature in the sea is the octopus because they are epic genius invertebrates.
The sea turtle is my favorite. I love taking my grandkids to the zoo and we watch the alligators, crocs., and turtles swim underwater. Fascinating place to watch the people interact with the animals.
I simply love starfish. I was taken snorkelling by a dear sweet 80 year old lady. She wished she could sing underwater so she could sing when I wish upon a star whenever she saw one. Everytime I see one I think of her and the wonderful experience she provided.
I like them all, but watching sea lion’s sunning themselves on a beach is fun, dolphins playing, sea otters, I like them all & I really like the creative use of the feather stitch, the pants are adorable :)
My favorite sea creatures are sea turtles.
Sea otters are so darn cute!
“My favorite creature in the sea is the Sand Dollar.” They have beautiful designs on them and lay quietly on the ocean sand when the tide goes out.
Love the idea on the pants! Would look good on a skirt too.
My favorite creator in the sea is a honu (hawaiian sea turtle)!! The are so amazing to swim with. I don’t touch them but it is amazing how they go back to where they were born to breed. my second favorite is a humuhumunukunukuapaa, the Hawaiian state fish. They are so bright and beautiful.
Love the under the sea concept, new to sewing started with doll clothes. I have 5 grand daughters they all got an 18" doll for Christmas, and this work great on the pants however I have 4 pair of pants left. LOL thanks for the tutorial.
I think seahorses are cool-looking, but octopi are interesting. My favorites are dolphins though.
My favorite sea creature is the SEA SLUG! they are one of the most brightly colored creatures in the ocean!
Orcas, Dolphins and dragon Seahorses….
My favorite creature in the sea is the otter—so sleek and playful.
“Under the sea” is such a unique world, so different than what we know of our world on land. There are so many unique creatures that are either fun to look at, have an interesting name, or possess a different quality than so many land creatures. It is difficult to decide on just one. So I’d have to say my favorite undersea creature is the… seahorse.
My favourite undersea animal are… Tigers! They swim to catch prey so they totally count! If they dont, then its sting rays, they cover themselves with sand then pop out to catch their prey! SOOOO COOOL!
My favorite sea creatures are dolphins. They are beautiful & intelligent.
Having lived in Iowa and Missouri for all of my 43 years, I have never seen the sea or ocean in my life. I would have to say the creature I find most interesting is the seahorse. It is so different for the males to give birth and not the females and they look neat too.
My favorite creature in the sea is…whatever one comes up to the boat or shore at the time I am there. Sometimes it is a seal, other times when the tide is out it may be a starfish or little crab on the rocks or in a tidal pool, or even a Killerwhale swimming by. Hard to say that any one is more special than another, for they all are unique and special and it takes all of them to make the ocean and bays exciting and enjoyable!
My favorite creature in the sea is… Dolphins or Orcas or Seahorses, you know all the cute girly animals ;)
My favourite sea creatures are coral. I love the way they all get together to build such amazing forms and colours. Just shows how wonderful things can be done in like minded company!
Oh ….. also mermaids!
My favorite creature in the sea is definitely the dolphin. They are so incredibly intelligent and have an affinity with us that no other sea creature seems to have. Having seen dolphins in the wild, I have to say that they just took my breath away, they were so amazing.
My favourite underwater creature is the Maori Wrasse.It is big,slow ,curious and is beautifully coloured
the dolphin they are just so cute!
I love starfish when they are alive and laying where they are visible. I was shocked when I found out that Starfish come in different colors and grow to be very large. I saw several while on vacation in Guana Cay and they were five feet tall. Not like the small ones your aunts and uncles brought back from their vacations many years ago. I love the designs on the ocean blue colored pants and can’t wait to try them out.
I enjoy studying and learning about most sea creatures, but one of my favorites are the manatees. They are big, friendly and mostly unappreciated.
I love this design idea! Thank you
I really like dolphins or sea turtles.
I love these jeans! :D They are so cool!
My favorite sea creatures are sharks. So mysterious!
my favorite creature under the sea is the star fish. I just think they are cool and just put you in a good mod!
My favorite sea creature is the sea horse. They are so unique and they go perfectly with this embroidery, looks like a great place for them to play and hid in if it were in the water.
The Octopus. Unexpected alien intelligence in action.
Very cute pants. My favorite undersea creature is the seahorse.
I love Manatees—I know they are kinda ugly but fascinating!!
Thanks for sharing this clever idea! You are so generous. My favorite creature in the sea is a starfish.
My favorite creatures is the sea otters. I have seen then close up at Monterey Bay!
“My favorite creature in the sea is”…dolphins and running a close second is…‘Nemo’ & ‘Dory’.
My favorite creatures of the sea would be seahorses.
My favorite sea creatures are seahorses.
I’ve never thought about a favorite sea creature. They are all so beautiful and graceful. I’ve embroidered flowers on doll clothes, but never thought of the seaweed stitch. I also like the way the artwork is off to the side of the pocket and not centered. Thank you.
My favorite sea creature is the octopus they are so interests.
Thanks for sharing. I love walking the beaches looking for sand dollars.
I love sea otters. What a great idea – embroidery on the pants!
My favorite creature in the sea is is the manta ray. They are so peaceful to watch and unless you mess with them they don’t mess with you.
“My favorite creature in the sea is a dolphin, because they remind me of my sister. A few years ago my family and I went to the beach, and every time we go to the beach we always visit the aquarium. And on this occasion my sister saw a dolphin show, and fell in love with them, to the point were my 2 year old little sister asked the trainer if she could clime in the tank with them. Sadly they said no, so we bought her a toy instead. =D
My favourite sea creatures are cuttlefish. They are just such neat creatures and so many colours and sizes!
My favorite creature in the seas are whales. They are so powerful, yet can be gentle and graceful. A school of them playing in the ocean is a glorious sight.
My favorite creature in the sea is the SEAHORSE!!
There are so many amazing ones, but if I had to pick it would be dolphins,for there have and cuteness.
My favorite sea creature in the sea turtle. They are such majestic animals, and having had the opportunity to swim with some off of Hawaii while on vacation. Love this design, please keep them coming.
Whales are my favorite sea creatures — they’re sheer size fascinates me! LOVE this clever little embellishment idea and think it would be ever so cute with a top with fish fabric too! ;)
My favorite sea creatures are sea stars (commonly known as starfish).. An amazing creation of God’s hand they can regenerated lost “arms.” There is a hug variety of sizes and “arm” numbers. As a retired biology instructor, it was always fun to share that info with students. The y can also be quite beautiful. They are closely related to sand dollars. I envision the kelp forests of the Pacific when I see this design. LOVE IT!
My favorite creatures in the sea are dolphins because they are friendly and sociable and work as a team. On top of that, they look so cute! This tutorial is absolutely adorable. Another very creative idea. Thanks for sharing. Your patterns are all awesome!
Diantha
January 30, 2015
My favorite sea creature is the stingray. They are love able and a joy to swim with and get to know. When touched they feel like slick silk. They are much heavier then you anticipate.