Preparation

Bonnets

1. Lightly starch and press fabric square until dry.

2. Fold fabric in half in both directions and lightly finger crease to create vertical and horizontal center lines.

3. Use a wash-away fabric pen or pencil to mark a square centered on fabric; use a straight ruler or a square-up ruler:

a. At one end of horizontal crease, measure and mark 5 1/4″ above (point a in illustration) and below (point b in illustration) crease for preemie size (6 1/4″ for 0-3 months, 6 3/4″ for 6 months). Mark other end of horizontal crease in same manner; refer to figure 1.

b. Draw a line connecting marks above crease (a to a), and a line connecting dots below crease (b to b) (fig. 1).

c. Turn fabric so remaining crease lies horizontally and repeat to create a square traced onto fabric; refer to figure 2.

d. Choose one edge as front edge of bonnet. Measure and lightly crease a line 1 1/2″ above front edge of bonnet; this is horizontal placement line for embroidery design (fig. 2).

4. Place fabric right side up over embroidery template with vertical center crease and horizontal placement line aligned with markings on template.

5. Use wash-away fabric pencil or pen to lightly trace embroidery design onto fabric right side.

Embroidery

BonnetsStitches used in these designs are: shadow embroidery, padded satin stitch, pierced eyelet, granito, stem/outline stitch. Prior embroidery experience is assumed. A suggested working order is listed below, with needle and thread information for each stitch.

Companion Stitches

1. Stem stitch: Work in hand. Use one strand floss in #10 sharps needle
(fig. 1).

2. Granito: Work in hand. Use one strand floss in #10 sharps needle
(fig. 2).

3. Pierced eyelets: Work in hoop. Use one strand floss in #10 sharps needle (fig. 3).

Shadow Embroidery

Work in hoop. Use one strand floss in #7 between needle (fig. 4).

Padded Satin Stitch

1. Split stitch outline: one strand floss in #10 sharps needle. Work in hoop.

2. Chain stitch padding: one strand floss in #10 sharps needle. Completely fill area inside split stitch outline. Work in hoop or in hand.

3. Satin stitch: Work in hoop or in hand. Use one strand floche in #7 between needle. Completely cover split stitch outline and padding with satin stitches. Start at widest section and work toward points. Rotate work, start again at widest section and work toward next point (figs. 5 and 6).

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