Embroidered Wedding Cards: A Step-By-Step Guide To Making Yours

Embroidered cards are a unique and thoughtful way to celebrate a wedding. You can create beautiful cards for your loved ones, and they can even be framed as keepsakes. Making an embroidered wedding card is simple and fun, and you can easily customise it to suit the happy couple. All you need is some cardstock, embroidery floss, a needle, and a few other basic craft supplies. You can use a template or freehand your design, and then use an awl or pin to punch holes in your card before embroidering your chosen design. You can even add extra embellishments like beads or fabric labels. So, why not get crafty and make a special card that the bride and groom will treasure?

Choosing a design and preparing the card

When choosing a design for your embroidered wedding card, it's important to consider the couple's interests and the overall style of the wedding. You can opt for a simple design, such as a diamond ring, or go for something more intricate and detailed. If you're feeling creative, you can freehand your design directly onto the card, or you can use a template for a more precise approach.

To prepare your card for embroidery, start by selecting the right type of paper. Cardstock is a popular choice, as it provides a sturdy base for your stitches. You'll need a piece of cardstock for the front of the card and another for the inside, where you can write your message. Cut your cardstock to the desired size, typically around 5-6 inches by 5-6 inches for a square card.

Before you begin embroidering, it's a good idea to create a template for your design. This can be done by drawing your design directly onto the cardstock with a pencil, or by printing out a template and placing it under the cardstock. If you're using a template, secure it with painter's tape or washi tape to avoid any slipping.

Once you have your design in place, it's time to start punching holes. Use a straight pin, pushpin, or an awl to create holes along your design, spacing them about 1/4" apart. Make sure to only punch through the top layer of cardstock and not the back. Go over your design a few times to ensure the holes are big enough for your needle and thread to pass through easily.

Now, gather your embroidery needle and floss. Separate the embroidery floss into individual strands, and thread your needle with two strands, giving you four strands to work with. Choose a colour that complements your card and design, and get ready to start stitching!

Gathering the right materials

To make an embroidered wedding card, you will need the following materials:

• Cardstock.
• Embroidery floss.
• A needle.
• A straight pin or pushpin.
• A piercing mat or mouse pad.
• Scotch tape.
• Adhesive such as double-sided tape or a tape runner.
• An envelope.

For the cardstock, you can choose a colour that matches your theme, such as sparkly silver or black. The embroidery floss should also complement your colour scheme. For example, DMC Silver Light Effects can be used to create a sparkly ring design.

You will also need a thin, small needle, such as a size 9 embroidery needle, to avoid widening the pierced holes in the cardstock. A straight pin or pushpin will be used to create the holes in the cardstock, so ensure you have one of these, as well as something soft to place underneath the card while you pierce it, like a piercing mat or mouse pad.

To secure the embroidery floss at the back of the card, you will need some Scotch tape. You can also use archival tape for this. To attach the different layers of cardstock, you will need an adhesive such as double-sided tape or a tape runner. Finally, you will need an envelope to fit your card. You can purchase one or create your own using decorative scrapbook paper.

Stitching the design

Now that you have your supplies and have cut out your template, it's time to start stitching your design.

First, separate the strands of your embroidery floss. You only need one strand at a time, so cut a length of floss and separate the strands. Thread your needle with two strands, which will be doubled, so you are sewing with four strands.

Next, pull your thread through the first hole and tape the end of the thread to the back of the card. You can use archival-safe tape or Scotch tape. The back of the card will be covered, so the tape won't be seen, but it's important to keep the back of the card flat.

For the first stitch, bring the needle up through hole 1 and down through hole 14. Continue to stitch moving counterclockwise around the circle, moving left from the last stitch. For the second stitch, bring the needle up through hole 2 and down through hole 15. The third stitch will be up through hole 3 and down through hole 16. This means only the first stitch needs to be counted, and the rest are just moving over to the next hole.

Once the circle part of the ring is complete, it's time to start on the diamond. Connect all of the dots with your embroidery floss. Each time you end a piece of floss or start a new one, tape down the end. When the card is complete, you can cover the back of your stitches with tape so nothing comes undone.

If you want to add a fabric label underneath your design, stitch the label underneath your stitched design using a couple of stitches on each side.

Adding a fabric label

Step 1: Choose Your Label

Decide on the size, colour, font, and design of your fabric label. You can customise it to match the theme of your wedding or your personality. If you're not sure where to start, consider choosing a label with a wedding-related message such as "Just Married" or "Mr & Mrs". You can also add your wedding date or a meaningful quote.

Step 2: Prepare Your Card

Before attaching the fabric label, you'll need to prepare your card by embroidering your design. Choose a card stock in a colour that complements your fabric label. Using a template or your own design, punch holes into the card stock and embroider your desired pattern. You can use embroidery floss in different colours to create a unique design.

Step 3: Attach the Label

Once your embroidery is complete, it's time to attach the fabric label. Position the label underneath your embroidered design. Use a couple of stitches on each side of the label to secure it to the card. You can use a needle and thread that matches the colour of your label to ensure that the stitches blend in.

Step 4: Finish the Card

After attaching the fabric label, your embroidered wedding card is almost complete! You can add any final touches, such as additional embellishments or a written message inside the card. If you want to cover the back of your embroidery, you can attach a piece of paper to create a neat and polished look.

Step 5: Optional Matching Gift Tags

If you want to go the extra mile, you can create matching gift tags to go with your embroidered wedding card. Simply follow the same steps as above, but on a smaller scale. These gift tags can be used for wedding favours or thank-you gifts, adding a thoughtful and personalised touch to your wedding.

Finalising the card

Once you've finished embroidering your wedding card, it's time to finalise the card. Here are the steps to do so:

Now that you've finished embroidering your design, it's time to secure the thread. One way to do this is to use tape. Cut a small piece of tape and place it over the end of the thread on the back of the card. Gently press down to secure the thread in place. Alternatively, you can use a small amount of glue to secure the thread.

If you're happy with the overall design, you can now attach the embroidered piece to the card base. Use a strong adhesive, such as double-sided tape or a glue stick, to attach the embroidered piece to the card. Make sure the adhesive covers the entire back of the embroidered piece to ensure a strong hold.

If you'd like to add a message inside the card, now is the time to do so. You can write a personalised message to the happy couple, expressing your congratulations and well wishes. You can also add any other decorations or embellishments to the card, such as stickers, stamps, or additional paper cut-outs.

Finally, if your card comes with an envelope, insert the card into the envelope. If you're using a pre-made envelope, make sure it's the correct size for your card. You can also create your own envelope using decorative scrapbook paper. Simply cut the paper to the appropriate size, fold it, and secure the sides with adhesive.

Your embroidered wedding card is now complete and ready to be given to the happy couple!

Frequently asked questions