2022 Embroidery Journal
Is journaling included in your new year’s resolution, but you just don’t love writing? Here’s another idea! How about start a 2022 embroidery journal? Thanks to TikTok user @thestircrazycrafter, it has become quite the craze. Three weeks into January and I am hooked! It’s not too late to join me! Here’s everything you need to get started.
What is an embroidery journal?
An embroidery journal is a way of visually capturing your year without writing. Instead you do it in the form of embroidery. Each day you embroider an icon that represents your day. It could be a representation of a feeling, something you did, somewhere you went, or even something you ate. It’s a lot easier than it sounds and you need no experience in cross stitching. There are only two rules. Rule one is you can’t use the same icon twice. Rule two is have fun with it. Not all icons turn out perfect and that’s just part of the design.
What supplies do you need?
The embroidery journal is a fairly inexpensive hobby, and you can get started with very few supplies:
- 12-Inch embroidery hoop – creates your embroidery canvas by holding the fabric tight
- 100% Cotton fabric – I ended up using white 100% cotton cloth napkins
- Water-soluble pen- to draw icons on your fabric before you begin stitching it
- Paper journal – to sketch your icons before putting them on the fabric and so you remember what each one means
- Embroidery floss- this can be one one color or any assortment of colors
- Sewing scissors – to cut your embroidery floss
- Embroidery needles – buy an assortment so you can experience which size works the best for you
- Ruler- need to draw the initial lines
- Small jar – to put leftover floss in
How do you get started?
The first step is to create the canvas for the embroidery journal. Fit your 100% cotton fabric into the 12 inch embroidery hoop. Pull it nice and tight! The next step is to divide the 12 inch circle into a 12 equal pie pieces. The best way to do that is to look up a pie chart online and trace it (see picture). I marked the inside and outside of the lines and then used my ruler to connect the lines. Use the link below for the pie chart diagram.
Let's get stitching!
No time like the present to start stitching! Since you are using a water-soluble pen, and will probably wet your project numerous times, now is the time to mark the lines with stitches. This way if the pen marks wash away, you will still know where your pie sections begin and end. Use this time to become familiar with threading your needle and knotting your thread. Watch my video for helpful hints. Next it’s time to stitch the year in the center of the pie graph. If you have never cross stitched before or need a refresher on the basics, watch this great video for beginner stitches. I find that I use the back stitch for almost everything.
Start your embroidery Journaling
Once you have your year embroidered, go ahead and embroider “January” in your first pie section. I was afraid I would run out of room so I just abbreviated with “Jan”. You are off to the races. Don’t feel like you need to work on this everyday. Just keep up with your icons in your sketch book, and you can do the embroidery part once a week. I’m 19 days in and am really loving the way it’s turning out. Not sure what icon to use? Google a word and you’ll be amazed at what choices you have. I pick the one that has the simplest lines and draw it in my sketch book.
Started my January… see if you can find Hellofresh, Netflix, sushi (that was a tough one), Ted Lasso (think European football), beer, blogging, and kick boxing!
Monthly Progress...
Finally DONE!
I was so excited to complete my 2022 embroidery journal! Looking back at it, I have a whole year of memories. I can’t say that I remember what each picture symbolizes so I’m glad I kept a picture journal to reference. As the final step I went back and cut out the thread that was used to mark the spacing. All I need to do now is find a frame!
Still overwhelmed?
Watch my video for more information. Sometimes it’s a lot easier to explain things through video versus through writing. Hopefully this gets you started. I will update my journal here at the end of each month. More questions? Just ask!
Supply links:
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