Step outside, grab a few favorite twigs, and turn them into a richly textured hoop you can hang all season. In this stitched branch project, Nichole Vogelsinger of Wild Boho shows you how to bring a little of the outdoors in using fabric, embroidery, and plenty of beads.
You will see how to
• Choose and prep real branches so they are strong enough to stitch on using simple white glue
• Fit and secure fabric in an embroidery hoop so it can support dimensional elements
• Couch branches to the fabric so they feel stable but still look natural
• Build plump beaded berries on felt using Czech seed beads in several sizes for extra depth
• Cut and attach the berry clusters without cutting your stitches
• Add textural lichen using cast on stitches in thick pearl cotton
• Stitch yellow and green leaves with a fishbone stitch, then edge a few with Miyuki seed beads for a soft shimmer
• Sprinkle in tiny Czech crystal berries to vary the scale and add gentle light
• Finish the back of the hoop neatly so the piece is ready to hang or gift
This project is wonderful for a quiet afternoon and also works as a collaborative make with kids or grandkids since the first step is a little outdoor branch hunt. You can tailor the colors to any season, from autumn woods to winter berries.
Tuck it on a shelf, hang it on a wall, or group it with other hoops for a small nature inspired gallery.
Shopping list is here. Boho Branchwork Supply List
John Bead Wholesale customers can take a look at our embroidery supplies.
Would you like to learn even more?
PDF of all the other workshops with Nichole Bead Embroidery Workshops with Nichole Vogelsinger
All of the videos Nichole has created for John Bead are linked here.
About Nichole Vogelsinger
Nichole’s creative journey began when, as a child, she would explore the local fabric shops with her mother. She developed a love for fiber arts and as an adult, hand embroidering printed fabrics became a favorite hobby. That hobby soon became an Instagram feed and then a book, Boho Embroidery (Lucky Spool, 2016) and then another book, Boho Embroidery: The Pattern Collection (Lucky Spool, 2018). She is the creator of the Boho Stitch Along, teacher of embroidery workshops and writer of her adventures in the world of stitchery at wildboho.com.
Wild Boho blog and website is here.
Wild Boho Etsy shop is here.
Wild Boho on Facebook is here.
Wild Boho on Instagram
