Garden Mouse by Jessica Long Embroidery turns a tiny moment in the vegetable patch into an intricate hand embroidery project.
A little field mouse stands among rows of carrots, black spade in hand, apparently hard at work on the harvest. One carrot has already been pulled from the soil while the others remain tucked among their leafy tops. Although there's a touch of storybook whimsy in a mouse wielding a garden spade, the natural colors and realistic stitching keep the scene grounded in the look of a traditional woodland illustration.
The real appeal for an experienced embroiderer is in the technique. Garden Mouse combines thread painting and stumpwork, using layers of stitching to create realistic fur and dimensional details. You'll pad the carrots, construct three-dimensional leaves, and gradually build the mouse's coat with thread to give the finished piece texture and depth.
This is a challenging embroidery project, not a kit we would recommend as a first introduction to hand embroidery. Jessica Long's detailed printed instructions and included online video tutorial provide guidance through the more advanced techniques.
The kit includes 16 colors of DMC cotton embroidery floss, permanently stamped fabric, needles, pattern, instructions, and a 6-inch wooden hoop.
Kit Includes
- Light yellow fabric permanently stamped with the design
- 6" wooden embroidery hoop
- Hand embroidery needles
- 16 colors of DMC cotton embroidery floss
- Color-printed embroidery pattern
- Jessica Long Embroidery Beginner Guide
- Access to an online video tutorial
Techniques & Skill Level
Skill Level: Advanced / Experienced Stitcher
Garden Mouse incorporates techniques beyond basic surface embroidery, including:
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Thread painting for the mouse's realistic fur
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Stumpwork for dimensional elements
- Padded carrots
- Three-dimensional stitched leaves
- Layered stitching for depth and texture
The included video tutorial provides additional guidance as you work through these techniques.
Design Details
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Designer: Jessica Long Embroidery
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Design: Garden Mouse
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Style: Botanical and woodland embroidery
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Hoop Size: 6"
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Fabric Color: Light yellow
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Floss: 16 colors of DMC cotton embroidery floss
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Techniques: Thread painting, stumpwork, padding, and dimensional embroidery
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Theme: Field mouse, vegetable garden, carrots, gardening, and woodland
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Project Type: Hand embroidery kit
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Difficulty: Challenging
The included wooden hoop can also serve as a simple frame for displaying the completed embroidery.
