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*FREE!* Easy Pattern – DIY Embroidery – Star Wars Inspired

Hello, all! I’m back with another fun, beginner friendly embroidery pattern that is floral, fun, and quick to whip up!

It’s for beginners or long time stitchers.

Just starting out? No problem! Just take the embroidery floss as is, thread it through your needle, and start stitching. I recommend a booklet of basic stitches kept handy or a youtube video, just in case. Ready to tackle something more challenging? Substitute some bullion knots. Make your thread only three strands. Use a different font. Go all out! It’s YOUR piece so have fun with it!

In the example above, I’ve used the following stitches, all with 6-strand floss:

  • Wagon wheel
  • Modified wagon wheel
  • Daisy chain
  • French knot
  • Herringbone
  • Straight
  • Chain

This post may contain affiliate links. (Spoiler alert: it does.) For the legal jargon (and my personal stance on recommendations) click here. 

This pattern is easy. It uses a few stitches and any can be substituted for something else you prefer. If you’re a stickler for sticking to a pattern, I’ve even included the DMC embroidery color numbers so you can replicate it. But if you want to get creative, I’ve got a bunch of my favorite color palettes on my pinterest board here to get you inspired for something with your own flavor! I tend to prefer complimentary colors or double split complimentary colors. Pro tip: keep a small color wheel in your purse or save an image handily on your phone to help in picking out colors. The one I usually use is this one here. It’s small and can even fit in a comfy pocket if you’re purse averse like myself.

If that’s too complicated, just be sure to have my Color Palettes board pulled up on your mobile phone for easy reference.

How to use it

You can put this pattern on pretty much anything! Enlarge it and put it on a throw pillow. Shrink it down and put it on a shirt pocket or handkerchief. Decorate the front of an apron or a tea towel for a perfect gift. You could even decorate your most comfortable reusable mask, like Carissa did with the Rebel pattern. (SO CUTE!)

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Yesterday I needed a break from work and my kids so I decided I wanted to do some crafting. I found this awesome pattern from @ambertheblog and shrunk it down to fit on a plain face mask. (Swipe to see the progress shots!) 🧵 I haven’t embroidered anything for more than a year so I am a little rusty but I think it turned out great. ❤️ 🧵 #facemask #rebelscum #theresistance #starwars #starwarscrafts #embroidery #quarantine #quarantinecrafts #craftersgonnacraft #calledtobecreative #craftymom #makersofinstagram #creativelifehappylife #livecolourfully #ihavethisthingwithcolor #showusthecolor #brightcolors #happycolors #myunicornlife #livecolourfully #purplehair #purplehairdontcare #disneylife #starwarsblogger #disneyblogger #disneyprincess #dsmmc #disneysmmoms #crafttheforce

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What you need

First things first, you’re going to want an embroidery hoop. I prefer bright, happy colorful hoops! I never know what sort of project I’m going to be into next, so having a variety of sizes and colors let’s my imagination run wild. I like this set of hoops for the variety of color and sizes.

You’ll also love yourself for making your life so much easier with a needle minder. A needle minder is a small magnetic tool that attaches to your work, giving you a secure and visible place to put your needle while in the middle of stitching. No more dropped thread! No more missing needle! And, more importantly, no more finding it with an unfortunate part of your body.

Another lifesaver is Thread Magic. Thread Magic is a thread conditioner that helps eliminate static, lessens tangles or knots, and reduces drag to make your work go by much faster. It’s a huge boost to my projects and has definitely improved my emotional state while working. (Have you ever been foiled – repeatedly – by your thread insisting on bunching itself up into incurable knots??? It’s not healthy for your heart.) I can usually find Thread Magic at my local craft store, such as Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, or Jo-Ann’s. But if it is out of stock or hard to find, I’ve got a handy link for you right here.

Aside from those quality of life improvements, you’ll also require the following:

(Your fabric choice is really up to you! I usually go to the thrift stores and craft stores and peruse the remnants. You’ll want to wash whatever your fabric is before you start. That way, if the fabric decides to warp after you hand wash your embroidery, your hard work won’t be distorted. I like Mrs. Meyers because it’s gentle, perfect for my allergies, and doesn’t abuse my skin when I hand wash! Plus, it smells AMAZING.)

And of course, don’t forget the free pattern!

Did you work up this pattern? Be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your lovely creations!

"XOXO, Amber" in hand-styled script
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Star Wars Celebration: Cosplay Prep Guide

Star Wars​ Celebration Chicago is quickly approaching. It’s just one month away! To help you prep for the best week of your cosplay career, here are some helpful tips to help you along the way!

This post may contain affiliate links. For more on that, check here.

1) Monitor your hydration

With only one month between now and the hustle and bustle that is #SWCC, you need to make sure you are getting your body prepared. Most of the time, cosplays require a lot more from your body. There is nothing quite so draining as hauling bins or bags full of heavy cosplay supplies and luggage, only to walk all day for many days, covered in paint or thick heavy clothes. You will SWEAT! Use an app like FitBit or Water Drink Reminder on Google Play to help keep you on track. And don’t forget to bring an empty water bottle. You can fill it up at the water fountains for free. And when bottled water is for sale upward of $4 a bottle, trust me, you’ll be able to save all that extra cash for great souvenirs! This water bottle below is less than the cost of four overpriced bottles of water, and you need to drink almost double that a day for healthy hydration when you’re sweating!

2) Continue a nightly routine – or start one

This is especially important if your costume requires makeup, body paint, glue, or a prosthetic. These take an extra toll on your skin, so make sure you are prepped. Be sure to use a quality moisturizer that is non-comedogenic so not to block your pores, and use a simple, gentle face wash every night. If your costume requires makeup or face paint, consider doing a facial scrub this week! To keep your skin in tip-top shape, watch what you eat for this next month and avoid any foods that are high in unhealthy fat, sugar, or cause inflammation.

3) Check your supplies and do pre-con maintenance

This is critical at this stage. Make sure that your makeup brushes are washed and dried before packing them. Do an inventory of your supplies. It’s almost never too late to get 2-day shipping on Amazon Prime or Wal-Mart if you find you’re missing an essential item. And if you really need something you’re missing, check with your lodging. Some hotels let you ship packages in your name during your stay! Check your costume and ensure that everything is in tip-top shape. Are the buttons secure? Is everything freshly laundered and prepped?

4) Stock up on supplies

Celebration is going to be a great time, and you can make it easier to enjoy yourself by keeping a few basics in your bag.

*Snacks/one-pack meals (I like The Complete Cookie and Lara Bars)
*Water bottle
*Painkiller of choice
*Makeup/cosplay emergency kit
*Camera
*Portable chargers or cords for devices
*Poster tube
*Collapsible bag for additional purchases

Keeping at least these few essentials will be sure to keep you prepared for fun on the con floor.

And speaking of the con floor,

5) Familiarize yourself with the venue

Get a map and print it out or save it to your mobile device. Take note of where you need to be and when, and give yourself plenty of time to get through lines. Take stock of where the bathrooms are (you’ll need them if you’re properly hydrated!) and know where stairs or elevators are located.

6) Manage money matters

If you’re travelling, be sure to contact your financial institution and let them know! As a former banker, I can’t tell you how many times someone’s card had been used out of state and the automatic systems and securities in place prevented further use only for it to end up that the client had simply traveled without calling ahead.

You’ll also want to have at least $100 worth of cash on hand. Why? Because if with all of the precautions, sometimes technology just sucks. And you will be at CELEBRATION. This is the con of a LIFETIME. You don’t want to see that signed edition of the poster for sale and not be able to purchase because it of some technical glitch.

It is also a smart idea to set up payment apps available for your mobile device, like your phone. Between Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, there is probably a way to set up a payment option right on your cell! To be honest, I haven’t been able to locate my wallet for about a week (oops), but I haven’t gone without buying necessities; I have my Paypal connected to my phone, and through the Samsung Pay app, it operates like a debit card, pin security included. The benefits to this payment apps is that you can store all of the relevant payments options in one place, such a credit card, a debit card, and Paypal, without having to worry about your wallet. Besides, most of us never leave the house without our phones!

Bring a credit card. In addition to your other money solutions, having a credit will help in many ways. If someone does manage to steal your credit card, they haven’t tapped into your liquid assets (like your bank account) and you can still be sure to pay the bills. Also, many credit card companies such a MasterCard, Visa, etc offer extra protections and insurance for you during travel, like roadside assistance if your rental breaks down, etc. Be sure to confirm with your credit card company if these perks apply to you.

And last, but not least . . .

7) Patience (and FUN!)

There are going to be thousands of people from all over the world and long, overnight queues. Take time now to rest and take it easy, and give yourself the option to be human. Your character may be a super hero, but your body has needs. Take time to pay attention to what those are and take stock of your body every hour that you are in costume. By taking care of yourself, you’ll set yourself up for a fun and safe Star Wars Celebration.

So what do you think? Are they any other tips you would add? Sound off in the comments below!

Have fun at Celebration!

"XOXO, Amber" in hand-styled script

P.S. I’ve got a downloadable checklist for you right here!

P.P.S. Watch below if you want details on how I do my Hera makeup. It’s a long, real time video with no edits. If you want to learn specific parts, there is a video directory in the pinned comment!