Embroider a pretty rose in shades of red, pink or yellow to decorate a cushion in your home. Make your roses as large or as small as you wish to decorate any size pillow. Use these roses to decorate linens, clothing or accessories. Embroider a single rose on a napkin corner, or a row of roses on a pillow case or towel edge. Dress up a pocket, lapel or collar with an embroidered rose.

Cut two pieces of linen the size you wish the pillow to be. Fold one piece across both ways to make the exact centre.

The drawing gives the complete motif. Trace six motifs in a circle with the stem pointing towards the centre spacing evenly.

Follow the diagram and number key for the embroidery. All parts similar to the numbered parts are worked in the same colour and stitch. Press the embroidery on the wrong side.

Place the back and front pieces right sides together and machine stitch around 1/2 inch from the edge, leaving an opening on one side wide enough for the pillow form to be inserted. Press the seams and turn to right side. Insert the pillow form. Turn in the seam allowance on the open edge and slipstitch together.

Key to Diagram: Shades of Rose or Yellow: 2, 3 - Stem Stitch 4, 5 - Satin Stitch 9, 10, 11 - Long and short stitch Shades of Green: 6, 7 - Satin Stitch 1 - Stem Stitch

Long and Short Stitch These are alternate long and short stitches made from one end of a straight line to the other.
Satin Stitch This stitch is used for filling small areas such as flower petals. Each stitch must be laid parallel with and quite close to the one beside it.
Outline and Stem Stitch These two stitches are basically interchangeable. To make a very fine line, the needle enters and leaves the fabric directly on the drawn line. If a wider stem is wanted, the needle enters and leaves a short distance either side of the line. In either case, you must use very short stitches so you can turn on curves. For the Outline Stitch, keep the thread above the needle. (your work will twist to the left) For the Stem Stitch, keep the thread below the needle. (your work will twist to the right)