Sunday, May 30, 2010

Embroidery Tutorial- Braids

After posting a few pictures of a special project I've been working on, I received a lot of questions on how I stitched the braids.  I decided that I would whip up a little tutorial to show you guys.
I can't show the project that inspired this tutorial...yet.  It'll be worth the wait though, trust me.  I can't wait to share it with you.  I don't mean to toot my own horn but it's pretty epic.  I'm in love with it.

Instead, I'll demonstrate with this lovely Senorita.
Where the braids will be I just used a general outline so I know roughly how wide they should be.

When stitching hair I generally use about 3 different colors.  Here I am using 3 browns, my needle is threaded with one strand of each color (at the same time).  Stitch a satin stitch diagonally until you get the desired width.  There is no need to go all of the way across the braid, as this will get covered up anyways.

Next, bring your needle back up through the fabric above the section you just made but on the opposite side.

Stitch another diagonal section that overlaps the first portion you just stitched.  Once you've reached an acceptable width, bring your needle back up next to where the first section of hair ended.  Then overlap the chunk of hair on the opposite side.

Keep repeating this process for the entire length of the braid.

All of this overlapping helps to give it a fuller, rounder look that makes it very realistic.  

Hopefully you find this helpful!  And please don't hesitate to ask me any questions.
Enjoy what's left of your weekend, I've got to get back to my secret projects.

21 comments:

Lisa said...

Awesome! So easy, and yet the finished result looks quite complicated. Great tutorial, Jacquie, thanks!!

MafiosaGrrl said...

No prob bob! I can't wait to see what you make with braids.... See, I told ya it was much easier than it looked!

Nicole Follow the White Bunny said...

Easy but very effective! Thanks for sharing :)

MafiosaGrrl said...

Your welcome! I love the way it turns out... it makes me want to run my fingers over it again and again.

Pearlie said...

Wow. I always knew there was a better way to do this- I've been making tiny braids and attaching them but don't always like the look. Super awesome!

Nima said...

wow...awesome...thank you so much for sharing this idea

giddy99 said...

That ROCKS; thanks for the tutorial! I'm going to rip out my Senorita's braids and redo them like YOURS. THANKS.

MafiosaGrrl said...

Thanks for your feedback, I'm very glad that so many of you guys are finding it helpful.

@giddy99, you're hilarious. You are a great stitcher, I don't know what you're talking about.

Unknown said...

gracias por enseñanos algo nuevo,este trabajo promete quedarte divino,el diseño es precioso.besos

Prasti said...

wow! thanks for this great tutorial. like others have mentioned, so simple to do but has a very powerful effect.

Lia said...

you're amazingly talented :)

katita72 said...

gracias por compartir...es muy buena y original la idea...te invito a visitar mi blog..estaria encantada...!!!
http://katita72.blogspot.com
"SEPIA QUE TE QUIERO SEPIA"

DESDE CHILE ,TE ENVIO UN CARIÑOSO ABRAZO...!!!

Anonymous said...

Muy bonita la forma de hacer trenza, y gracias por compartir. Primera vez ingreso a tu blog y es interesante. Saludos Raquel

KatieB said...

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing it.

allie aller said...

Very simple but not at all obvious! Thanks for the great idea.

MafiosaGrrl said...

Happy to help, guys!

Anonymous said...

very nice picture. hope you have finished this project. can i see your finished result pic of this work.

Joanne Love said...

Awesome tutorial! Thanks for the help!

Anonymous said...

GRACIAS, ME GUSTO MUCHISIMO. EL DIBUJO ESTA PRECIOSO ME GUSTARIA VERLO HECHO COMPLETAMENTE.

giddy99 said...

I know I said it almost two years ago, but THANKS for this! I just had to stop stitching, and find your tutorial for braids (again). You're the bomb. :)

Unknown said...

I love Senorita embroidery, I have to ask where did you get this? I really want to get one like this! :)