Embroidered Chinese Scroll

Hello all,

Before I get into this instructable, I would like to clarify that this is my second attempt at making an embroidered scroll with wooden dowels and all. Tips on sewing and other things related would be gladly appreciated. :D

Anyways, this is a hand embroidered piece with a fabric backing and wooden dowels to hang the piece. It is be important to complete the embroidered piece prior to assembling the scroll. You can always look up Chinese scrolls or any other type to making something similar. to this hanging piece.

Materials needed for the embroidered piece:

• Loom
• Needles
• Embroidery threads
• Fabric for the embroidery (Cotton or any thick type of material that can withstand tension)
• Fabric for attaching he embroidery to the loom

Materials needed for the scroll:

• Dowels
• Sandpaper
• Varnish
• Wood Stain Color
• Additional cloth for the backing of the scroll

Looms in embroidery vary in sizes and forms, however, I did not purchase a loom for this project. For this project, I recycled a canvas frame. I find that as long as the pieces are removable and adjustable there is no need to buy a loom. If you do plan to make more embroidery projects in the future, then buying a loom would be great for any embroidery project. There are several YouTube videos online on how to mount an embroidery loom, but here are the steps I did for the canvas embroidery loom of mine. I'd assume that it would be similar to mounting a regular loom. The images attached can also be referred to, as it can get confusing as first time learners on how to mount a loom.

1. Mark the pattern you want to embroider on the fabric prior to mounting.
2. Sew on both ends of the fabric that will be used for embroidery with the scrap pieces of fabric on each end.
3. Using the long sticks of the loom, roll up the fabric on each side to make a tight scroll with the two long pieces.
4. Unravel and attach the short sticks of the loom. You want to make sure that it is tight. When attaching, I made sure to check that both sides of the fabric was not moving as it tends to move when putting the entire frame together.
5. I do my embroidery in between two makeshift tables, so I added a long stick on each end to ensure that it will sit nicely between two tables, and if in step 4 is difficult to complete, and the loom is a little loose, I find that you can insert little sticks in between the long sticks and the fabric to put more tension and make it more tighter. Overall, it is something that I attained after exploring on how to make the loom tighter.
6. Sew on two sticks on the edges of the fabric on the short end of the loom. It should only be the stick and the fabric. I used chopsticks for this step.
7. Interweave string in between the stick and the frame. It should be as tight as a drum once completed.

I did not take any pictures as I was embroidering the bird unfortunately, but the embroidery technique I used was a common technique where thread is pulled in straight lines to mimic movement and this technique also makes color changing easier.

Here are a few tips I've learned over the course of doing these:

• Do not pull on the string too hard, as it will lead to warping of the picture. This will make the final product wrinkly and you might need adhesives to put it into place
• Don't thread the needle with a long string, as it makes it easy for the thread to get tangled.
• To save time during threading needles, a threader makes this more convenient. I had no idea this existed until I bought a full embroidery kit with it included in it.
• Keep the pattern simple as changing colors in a small space is difficult
• Take your time to envision what you want to design and make

This part is rather simple, as you can pre buy wooden dowels, and all you need to do is to cut it to the length desired after.

1. Cut the dowels to the desired length. Leave a little bit of an overhang for aesthetics.
2. Sand the dowels for even coating of color when applying later.
3. Drill two small holes for the string attachments
4. Stain the dowels with wood stain. I used what ever was left over in my storage.
5. Wait for the color to dry before adding varnish. I used a semi gloss. You also do not need to varnish the entirety of the dowel as the fabric will be covering the middle part of the stick.
6. Hang the dowels to dry. I tied a scrap fabric to both to make a hanger and allow it to set. You can add more coatings if you want it to be more shiny. It will take around a day to fully harden and set.
7. Lightly sand the rough edges after it has dried.

Prior to making the scroll, you can iron the backside of the embroidery on the lowest setting with an iron. This will make it easier to work with prior to pining the pieces together.

For the fabric that will line and cover the back of the embroidery piece, it is important that the fabric is a thicker type that will make it easier for the work to be supported by.

These are the steps for this part of the project:

1. Line and pin the embroidery so that you can sew and attach the two fabrics on each end from the top and bottom of the fabric. Make sure to fold in the ends at to ensure that the edges of the piece have a straight end.
2. After this step has been completed, you will want to even out the extra ends of fabric once you laid out the piece on a flat surface. I used a long bamboo stick as a reference point at this point, but if you have the dowels you can see how they would look in comparison to the picture at this point.
3. Pin both ends and sew down both sides but leave enough for the dowels to be placed on the top and bottom of the embroidery. I left 1" for the dowels.
4. Sew a line from the space left from where the dowel is intended to be placed. Use the images as reference.

Add the dowels and the string to the final product and now you are completed and can hang the piece wherever you want to.

These are the only two I have attempted so far, with each having their own style. You can use these as references if you have no idea on what to do for the final touches. I've done a simple border for the crane and a ribbon border for the flower piece. Either way all is optional and up to your own choice and preference.

Thank you, and Happy Crafting!

:D