How to Embroider Small Snowflakes

I don’t know about you, but winter reminds me of three things. A hot mug of chocolate, fireplace, and of course, snowflakes! Especially now that the cold winter season is fast approaching. Some of you may love the idea of digging furry, white stuff and creating a cute snowman. But, how about leaving your traditional traces for a while and expanding the scope of your creativity?

I’d say creating embroidered snowflakes is a cool alternative while spending some quality time with your loved ones. Don’t worry; it is naturally fun and straightforward work. Having this skill will allow you to add a bit of quirkiness to your favorite garment. And if you’re looking for an exceptional, unique gift with a special touch, this one is the way to go.

How to Embroider Small Snowflakes?

For this project, you can create your own pattern or download it online for free. Thread the needle with floss then stitch the design until the end of the line. Moreover, you can use varied colors or stick with a single color. You might need to adjust the size and count of your stitch if necessary. These are just some pointers though. Refer below for a complete guide.

Steps to Embroider Small Snowflakes

Snowflakes come in many different crystal shapes, from simple prisms to stellar dendrite to fernlike stellar dendrites. And you will find them all in embroidery projects. Either follow the conventional pattern or mix it up by adding glitters or trinkets such as beads.

To start, prepare your materials first:

• Fabric
• Embroidery hoop
• Thread
• Needles
• Scissors
• Water-soluble pencil
• Printed snowflake pattern 

Now, here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Transfer the Design to Your Fabric

You can use a dressmaker’s carbon or tracing paper for transferring the design onto the fabric. It is available everywhere both in dark and light colors. Another method is the iron-on transfer pencil or pen. If there are portions that you find hard to see, use a water-soluble pen and mark them. Press a hot iron over the fabric for five to ten seconds without shifting direction. You can also add extra design elements if you like. Next, insert the embroidery hoop around the embroider and design one by one.

Step 2: Thread the Needle

You can start with four strands of floss. Increase the number by up to 6 strands if you want a lump-filled finish.

Step 3: Stitching Time

Begin with one stitch along the initial row of the line. Keep on stitching until you reach the last line. When you finish the first line, upturn the fabric and lace down the thread to the design’s central area. After that, stitch until you fill in the long lines up to the end. Repeat the same process on adjacent slanting lines. Adore your small beautiful snowflake once you secure the thread!

Well, who says it isn’t comfortable?

You will find the snowflakes very simple to stitch even if you have never done it before. It is normal to deal with some imperfections, especially the finished output. They should not discourage you. But if you insist on getting every detail correctly, measure and mark your fabric beforehand as a guide.

While small, these snowflakes can be a perfect embellishment for decorating your winter projects. December is here, and I am sure you’ll be busy again creating a Christmas tree. Even for adorning simple napkins or table runners, they make a stunning addition.

Common Types of Stitches When Creating Small Snowflakes

The beauty of embroidering snowflakes is that you can use different forms of stitches. We have a backstitch, chain stitch, running stitch, and the French knot. Use any of them to fill those spaces and create an exotic design you can call your own.

1. Back Stitch

It works from right to left. Note that there are three points (forming a triangle shape) to work on for this project. The uppermost part (Point 1), right side bottom (Point 2), and left side bottom (Point 3). Begin by bringing the needle upward through your fabric, then moving it to the right.

Make a small backstitch and place the needle in Point 2. Now, bring upon Point 1 at Point 3. The uppermost part must be midway between the two other areas. Tug the needle and repeat the process until you finish stitching the desired outline.

2. Chain Stitch

It is preferable if you want to create lines with additional thickness and texture. The stitch is made up of a string of unified loops. It perfectly works in a fine thread with tiny stitches. With chain stitch, you only have to take on two points. Point 1 at the top and Point 2 underneath.

Place the needle first at Point 1 and back up at Point 2. Ring down the thread starting from the left below the needle’s tip. Heave the needle while carefully pulling the thread to form a loop. Again, repeat to create your next chain stitches.

3. Running Stitch

Perhaps one of the embroiderers’ favorite types of stitches when crafting a snowflake. Its simplicity will make you become smitten with running stitch as well. You can make it with fine thread and tiny stitches.

Run the needle inside and outside of the fabric to make a stitch. Continue stitching while ensuring parallel spaces between stitches. You can decide whether to modify the spacing and stitch length.

4. French Knot

Another best-loved embroidery stitch, thanks to the unique accent it provides to any design. When it comes to snowflakes, you can make a stitch in rows. Firstly, please put them in the centre of the pattern or around the edges. Alternatively, use the entwined stitches for filling out the whole design.

To create a French knot, you only need one point in the fabric. Hold down the thread using your thumb and slip the needle beneath the strained thread. Rotate in a clockwise motion with the needlepoint above the thread. Pull the needle and then thread thoroughly to the back to form a knot. It should be delicate and small.

Experiment by mixing and matching these stitches to produce a gorgeous series of different designs. Either scatter the snowflakes over the whole garment or bind around your skirt’s hem.

3 Simple Tips to Keep in Mind

1. If you’re striving for an effortless way to reform your embroidery design, a handy stabilizer will do. It’s like glue. Print the design and cling it to the fabric. Wash the excess shape away, and it will not leave any single trace. Furthermore, it works well with light-colored fabrics.
2. There are various ways to tie a knot in embroidery thread. And for sure, some of them have been taught by your mother. One way is through creating a loop between your index finger and thumb. Another is nipping the thread end using your index finger and another thumb, then pulling halfway through the loop.
3. Cleaning your embroidery needle doesn’t involve science. Just get a cotton ball along with alcohol and wipe it.

What Is the Best Fabric to Machine Embroider Snowflakes On?

You can opt for any fabric you desire. Be sure it is fit enough to the embroidery hoop or the item you want to embroider. But for a neater and prettier finish, balance the hue of your fabric to that of your floss. For example, choose a white cloth if you intend to use lighter to darker shade strands. While for bright or pale colors, a dark fabric might be ideal.

Is Plastic or Wooden Embroidery Hoop Better?

Similar to selecting fabric, the choice of the best embroidery hoop comes down to individual preference. Experiment with different varieties to determine which one is suitable for your fabric type and sewing style. But generally, wooden rings are favored due to their lightweight and ease of use. Plastic hoops are closely similar to wooden and have the same function. The only difference is that they are plastic.