Hand by hand I will get this project completed. (sometimes I look at all the hands and the names/ages and I wonder) I have successfully completed embroidering 17 of the 26 hands that I need to embroider. Each hand takes some time as it is not only the outline of the hand that I am embroidering but also the individual’s name and age. At first, I thought that by this time I would be done with all of the hands and be starting on the embellishments. It is proving to be more work but it is work I am grateful for. After a long day at work, when we are at the home stretch to the end of the year and students and staff all seem to be at their wit’s end coming home and sitting down to do this embroidery is helping to ground and relax me.

Photo by Pexels on Pixabay

I have started to follow a number of different TikTokers who do embroidery and am learning a lot from them. This is just a brief list and some of the ones that I appreciate the most or thought were worth a share.

@happyhobby_ca: She has a lot of information about how to start embroidery. The link I shared has her giving advice on what to purchase and what to avoid at Wal-Mart when you are just starting out. I appreciate that she talks through her videos and that they aren’t just a musical background. I am a visual learner but sometimes the verbal is useful as well.

@flynn_and_mabel: They have some really cool ideas of items that you can embroider. I am now looking at shoes that I have that I could add a little bit of character to. The videos that I watched were all done to music so it made it difficult to sometimes know what stitches were being used.

@fairytalehome_: She is very creative and not just when it comes to embroidery. She paints, sews, draws, and so much more. The link I shared is Part 3 of what she wishes she knew before embroidering. This one she explains how to tie a proper knot. I enjoy how she walks you through from start to finish exactly how to do the skill she is teaching.

@girlgotthread: This video has her explaining the difference between the Satin Stitch and the Thread Saver Stitch. I enjoy that she walks you through how to do both and explains where they should be used. She has some beautiful visuals as well.

@by_grls: Is fairly new to TikTok as they have very few videos. They have great visuals but it is all put to music and the music isn’t very engaging and almost made me want to go to sleep. The videos although they didn’t have any speaking were still easy to follow and to be able to try out the different stitches or to understand what was being done.

@vikasspace: She is amazing! I enjoyed her videos as her work is breathtaking. When I think of embroidery I think of the work that my Grandma used to do on pillow cases and that is not the case here. Her pieces are works of art. If I continue with embroidery after this would be a goal. I have been using the thread without separating the strands and now I believe that for some of the pieces I will be adding that I will need to make sure that I separate my thread.

As for my project, I am not where I would like to be on it but that being said I got to spend the entire weekend alone with my oldest son in Saskatoon watching him play baseball. This was a special bonding time and although I didn’t make the time to work on my embroidery I soaked up the sun and enjoyed every minute with my son. This week is also filled with ball every night other than the weekend.

My goal is to get all of the hands completed so that I can start the embellishments. I know that these will take as much time if not more than the hands have already taken but each stitch that I make is one that is made with love. Pictures to come shortly as I plan to finish off the hands this week.