Embedded Embroidery As I went out to our deck recently, I noticed a stool that had been left outside for several days. I was slightly annoyed at first, but as I moved closer, I noticed some colored leaves had fallen on the top of the stool. Then it hit me. I could put embroidery on a stool! I rushed into the house with the stool in my hands, to figure out how to make embedded embroidery. Supplies needed: Embroidery design: Martini Braid or cording Tools needed: Small level Tape measure Foam brush Two-part (resin and hardener) forty-coat varnish Wooden stool Regular white glue (the kind that dries clear) Disposable cups, measurer and stir stick Newspaper Small amount of tagboard or cardstock A box to protect the hardening varnish from dust file:////inge/inside%20embroidery/projectinstructions/pr1066.html (1 of 7)9/5/2005 6:00:30 PM
Measure the height, width, and depth of your stool. Then find a box that will fit over it without touching the top or sides of the stool. If you don't have a box that is tall enough, find some objects to set next to the stool, so that the box can sit high enough to clear the top of the stool, without touching. Make sure that the stool is clean and dust free. Place newspaper or plastic under the stool and other work areas. Note: The resin and hardener is not water soluble and is difficult to clean up without chemicals, so protect all surfaces. Next, level the stool so that the varnish will not be thicker on one side than the other. Place the level on the top of the stool and make it level in at least two directions. We used folded newspaper under the legs of the stool to make it level. file:////inge/inside%20embroidery/projectinstructions/pr1066.html (2 of 7)9/5/2005 6:00:30 PM
Cut out a circle of embroidered fabric to fit your stool. Make sure that the design is in the location that you want it to be before cutting. Squirt some white glue onto the top of the stool, and spread it out with the foam brush into an even coating over the entire surface. Apply fabric to the top of the stool. Reposition fabric as necessary. To prepare the trim, we premeasured it to the correct length, then hand sewed a few stitches on the ends to keep it from unraveling. Apply a bead of glue along the edge of the fabric and apply the cording or trim around the entire edge. Double check to make sure everything is secured where you want it to be and allow the glue to dry completely. file:////inge/inside%20embroidery/projectinstructions/pr1066.html (3 of 7)9/5/2005 6:00:30 PM
While the glue is drying, take some time to read the directions about how to use the varnish. After the glue is completely dry, measure equal parts of each component of the varnish into two separate cups. Then pour one cup into the other. Mix well and vigorously, scraping the sides, for at least a minute. Then pour into the other cup, scraping all out of the first cup and then mix as before, making sure to scrape the sides. Incomplete mixing can result in soft spots in your finish, which is no fun at all. Two ounces of each part covered the top of the stool completely. Because of the thickness of the fabric that we used, we needed two coats to achieve a glossy finish. The fur fabric that we used soaked up quite a bit of liquid. You may not need two coats for your project. file:////inge/inside%20embroidery/projectinstructions/pr1066.html (4 of 7)9/5/2005 6:00:30 PM
After mixing well, pour the liquid as evenly as possible over the entire area of the seat. Use a piece of cardstock or tagboard to distribute the varnish and fill in any gaps. Make sure to bring the varnish over the edges so that the cording or braid is fully covered. Catch any drips by scraping the bottom edge of the seat with the tagboard. Add the drips to areas that might need more varnish. file:////inge/inside%20embroidery/projectinstructions/pr1066.html (5 of 7)9/5/2005 6:00:30 PM
Allow the liquid to settle for a few minutes, then check for bubbles. We used a flashlight to aid in seeing the bubbles. Almost all bubbles will come to the surface within the first ten minutes after application. The product is designed to release bubbles on its own, but to encourage a bubble to surface, gently blow on it. Cover the product with a clean, dust-free box to protect the surface from dust particles. Allow to dry and/or cure. The product's drying times vary with temperature and humidity, so check the instructions. We tucked it in an out-of-the-way corner, so it will not be disturbed. The drying time for first coat took about 12 hours, and then the product needed 36 hours to cure before the second coat could be applied. file:////inge/inside%20embroidery/projectinstructions/pr1066.html (6 of 7)9/5/2005 6:00:30 PM
After drying and curing are complete, unveil your creation, and belly up to the bar! Click here for a printer friendly version of this project You ll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed onto your computer. If you don't have it, you can download a free copy by clicking on the icon below. file:////inge/inside%20embroidery/projectinstructions/pr1066.html (7 of 7)9/5/2005 6:00:30 PM