Pansy Teacup Embroidery Kit, 6 or 8 in Hoop

About the design

A cream teacup with a gold handle and a band of tiny pink flowers sits on a purple saucer, and out of it spills a dome of pansies: deep purple, violet, lilac and white faces with dark centers, tucked between small green leaves and little violets. The pansy petals are stitched with shading from dark to light, which gives each flower its velvety look, and the whole bouquet stands slightly raised from the fabric.

Choosing a size

Two sizes, one picture. The 6 in (15 cm) hoop is the quicker project and a sweet size for a kitchen shelf. The 8 in (20 cm) gives the pansies more room and more shading, and suits a wall. Pick the size in the menu above.

Stitches you will use

The fabric is covered edge to edge, so this is a project about filling rather than outlining. Long and short stitch builds the shaded areas, satin stitch makes the smooth, glossy shapes, and French knots and short straight stitches add texture where the design calls for it. Because every area is filled, small wobbles disappear into the surrounding stitches, which makes the finished piece forgiving.

Work the background areas first and the details that sit on top last. Two or three strands of floss cover the fabric quickly; switch to a single strand for eyes, edges and highlights.

Each pansy is a set of five petals, so once you have stitched the first, the rest follow the same steps. Start with the flowers at the back of the bouquet and finish with the ones in front.

What is in the kit

• Cotton fabric printed with the design
• Embroidery floss in every color, wound on a thread card
• An embroidery hoop in the size you choose

You will also need small sharp scissors and an embroidery needle.

How long it takes

About 10 to 18 hours for the 6 in (15 cm) hoop and 15 to 25 hours for the 8 in (20 cm). The cup is quick; the pansies take the time.

Finishing and display

The printed lines are made to rinse out: once you finish, rinse the piece in clean water and let it dry flat, and any line that still peeks between stitches is gone. Then put it back in the hoop, trim the fabric to about an inch (2.5 cm) beyond the frame and gather it at the back, or frame it behind glass.

Delivery and returns

Delivery is $6.95, and free on orders from $49. The delivery estimate for your address shows on this page and at checkout. You can return the kit within 30 days of delivery; return shipping is yours unless it arrives faulty or wrong. See delivery and returns for the details, or compare the other embroidery kits.