Stitching on Paper
Embroidery on paper creates a delightful effect on your cards and other projects. Give it a try today!
Stitching on paper is an excellent way to add a fun element to your project. Learn how to sew and stitch paper with these step-by-step tutorials and tips for sewing paper. It's easy and it's a great way to recycle paper for craft projects.
Here we've included a video tutorial for how to paper stitch using the back stitch and hand sewing. We have great tips and tricks for how to sew on paper using a machine and by hand stitching below. If you love the look of embroidery or simply want to explore this option for dolling up your paper crafts, definitely give this skill a try!
If you love video tutorials for learning a new skill, check out our collection of some of our favorites:73 YouTube Craft Videos and Tutorials
Sewing & Stitching For The Paper Artist
Materials
- Scrapbook Page, Paper, Collage or Card
- Sewing Machine With Thread: Needle should be one used for delicate fabric and tension set for delicate fabric.
- Sharp Hand Sewing Needle: Needles are either blunts (not a sharp point) or sharps (yep, you guessed it).
- Sewing Threads: Use a quilting thread or other quality thread designed for needle arts so that the thread will hold up without breaking or splitting.
- Fibers: Usually specialty yarns that are colorful and full of textures.
Sewing Machine Tips
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You sew paper as you would any fabric.
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Note that heavy weight paper may need a tension adjustment on your sewing machine. Read your machine's manual for tension adjustments.
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Avoid using any adhesives before you sew. Adhesives can damage your needle and jam your machine.
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Experiment with different machine stitches. Our friends at AllFreeSewing have an excellent infographic Guide to Mastering Different Stitches for reference!
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Remember to backstitch at the end of your stitching so that the threads will not unravel. You can also use a touch of glue or a dot of clear nail polish to bond the ends.
Hand Sewing Tips
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Use sharp sewing needles (sharps have a pointed tip) rather than blunt needles unless you are using a punch to create holes for the hand needle to pass through. Apply some hair spray to your finger and to the end of the thread, stiffening it enough to be easily threaded.
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The smaller the needle the smaller the stitch you will be able to sew. Hand sewing needles are assigned numbers for the different sizes available the smaller this number the larger the needle.
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Most needleart stitches can be used in paper designs. Basic stitches include backstitch, blanket stitch, buttonhole stitch and ladder stitch.
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At the end of your stitching don’t forget to knot off. You can secure the knot with a touch of glue or a dot of clear nail polish.
Embroidery on Paper
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If you want to learn more about sewing on paper, our friends at AllFreePaperCrafts have a wonderful tutorial on paper stitching! Find in depth instructions in their article, Embroidery on Paper: How to Paper Stitch.
Embroidery Stitches and Other Craft Ideas
Below we have articles on some of our favorite embroidery stitches for you to practice hand stitching on paper, and you'll find some of our favorite projects below, too!
The straight stitch is a super useful stitch to know and have mastered when it comes to sewing or embroidery.
The chain stitch is another good basic embroidery stitch that can really add some oomph to your sewing project.
The stem stitch is a really great stitch to know for when you want to add some nice clean texture to your different sewing projects.
The blanket stitch is a great embroidery technique for creating edges and curved lines.
With just five simple steps you can master making these adorable daisies that you can embroider your paper crafts with.
The french knot is a super simple embroidery technique that can add a lot to your different projects.
Create these ornaments using handmade paper gifttags, and embroider your design using white cotton threads.
Sew your way into to someone's heart by giving them this gorgeous piece of DIY wall art.
Everyone will love this beautiful handmade card design and you won't believe how easy it is to make!
This pretty Spring Pink and Teal Card is great for all your springtime occasions, from Mother's Day to birthdays.
This card uses a heart stencil to create the holes for stitching with embroidery thread.