First project: a thread-sketched picture
Trace a simple drawing and stitch over it in black thread.
Step by step
- Choose a simple line drawing, such as a leaf or teacup.
- Trace it onto cotton fabric with an erasable marker.
- Back with stabiliser and set up the machine for free motion.
- Stitch along the lines, going over some twice.
- Remove the stabiliser, take out the marks as the pen instructions say, and frame or make it into a cushion.
Watch
Simple basic freemotion flower tutorial (4:31)
By Helen Newton · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 4-minute video from Helen Newton on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
All guides ›Free-motion embroidery
Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.