Queen Bee in 3D

Hello! I'm showing off my Queen Bee sampler today, (also available as a PDF pattern download) along with a technique to get those bees and clover to pop! This is a fun and easy way to add some extra depth and interest to your embroidery.

See how fat they are? I love it. You can do this too, it's easy!

Let's start with the clover. I stitched the small clover and small bees this way, first go over the area with a horizontal Satin Stitch.

Next go over that with vertical satin stitch. This is great for small areas, it just gives them a little extra puffiness. Next, add the detail lines over the top.

I used just 1 thread for these. Cute little clovers!

I've stitched the smaller bees the same way, start by covering the bee with horizontal Satin Stitches.

(the tiniest bees have just one layer of satin stitched stripes.)

Now add the stripes vertically over top. Then stitch the stinger.

Are you ready for the big momma Queen Bee? For this one you'll need to cut a small piece of felt in a diamond shape, just a little smaller than the bee's lower body, and stitch it on around the edge using the Stab Stitch (just tiny stitches up and down through the felt and fabric.)

Tuck a little stuffing under the felt before sewing it up, tiny scraps of felt make great stuffing and it's easier to manage for such small areas!

Now you have a puffy little pillow. Just stitch Satin Stitches over the top of the felt puff. It will really stand out!

This is an easy technique to really give some extra dimension to your embroidery. It looks like those bees will just fly off the fabric! What else will you use it on?