I've been meaning to do some more Legend of Zelda embroideries for forever! It's one of my favorite game series, and the Game.Life 3 Contest finally got my butt in gear. :D These embroideries are framed in three inch wooden hoops, so it's easy to hang them up.

These Legend of Zelda embroideries took about me a couple nights of work, but you could make them go very quickly if you don't satin stitch them!

I've also included some patterns - you can find them on step two!

Step 1: What You'll Need:

fabric to embroider on - I'm using linen.
embroidery hoops if you'd like to frame them - three inches
acid free, clear drying craft glue that works on fabric and wood
patterns - included on the next step
embroidery floss
embroidery needles
pinking shears
a water soluble marking pen

You'll also need to know how to do a backstitch and a satin stitch. Unsure of what those are? Check out my how to embroider instructable.

This is a great beginner project because they're so small. :D

Step 2: How I Made the Pattern

I always like to trace the inside edge of the embroidery hoop so I have an idea about how much space you have to work with. These fit in tiny three inch hoops.

Then I draw my designs in pencil. When I'm happy with them, I trace over them with a pen or permanent marker. Then I erase the pencil marks.

I'm not big on using drawing programs, so I make every one of my embroideries like this. I use my scanner to resize them if I need it. :D

The patterns are attached to this step, including an updated ocarina! (please use the patterns for personal use only)

zeldaembroideries.pdf
Download

Step 3: Cut Your Fabric & Trace the Patterns

Cut your fabric slightly larger (1-2 inches) bigger than the hoop you'll be framing the embroideries in.

Then, pin a square of fabric over the embroidery. If you're using a thin fabric you might be able to see through it well enough to trace. If not, hold it up against a window or over a lightbox.

Use a water soluble pen to trace all your embroideries.

Step 4: Embroidering the Triforce

Use a backstitch to go over the outline, and then use a satin stitch to fill it in with yellow. This one goes really fast. :D

Keep in mind I am backstitching with three strands of floss and satin stitching with the full six strands.

Step 5: Embroidering the Rupees

Once again, use a backstitch to trace the outlines, and then fill in each rupee with a different color. I used red, green and blue.

When doing satin stitch, keep your stitches going in the direction the outside lines are going, it'll give the rupees more depth. :D

Step 6: Embroidering Navi

Do the outlines in a black backstitch. Fill in the wings with white, and then satin stitch white in the very center, surrounded by a light blue.

Step 7: Embroidering the Ocarina

Backstitch with black around the edges, and then satin stitch the holes in the ocarina with black. Stitch a small triforce (really, a triangle, haha) on the band around the mouthpiece. Then fill in the body and mouthpiece with color.

I chose a blue/green, but I think I'll go with a darker blue next time. :D

Step 8: Rinse and Dry Your Pieces

Rinse the finished pieces under cold running water to get out the water soluble ink. Hang them to dry. :)

Step 9: Mount the Embroideries in the Hoops

Center them as best you can. Pull the fabric taut and tighten them so it won't move about. :)

Step 10: Finish the Backs

Use pinking shears to cut all around the hoop edges. I normally leave a little less than a half inch of fabric.

Take your glue and put a line all around the edges of the fabric. Then press the fabric into the back of the wooden hoop. You might need to hold it down for a few seconds to get it to adhere. I never add a piece of fabric to cover the back of my work, but you can if you want to!