Table of Contents
Getting Started with The Crow and The Snake Embroidery Kit
Working on a pre-printed fabric design gives you a clear roadmap. The video begins with a tour of the piece and the exact stitches you’ll use throughout: satin stitch for fills, chain stitch for definition and texture, and running stitch for simple lines. The designer’s approach is approachable: start with the border to get your hand in, then jump to the central motifs when you’re ready for a change of pace.
Understanding Your Kit
You’ll be stitching on pre-printed fabric, set in a hoop. The finished piece shown in the video offers a visual goal. While the exact fabric and thread brand aren’t specified, one key instruction is consistent throughout: stitch the entire project with four strands. This balances coverage with control, especially for satin-filled shapes and chain stitch lines. embroidery frame
Preparing Your Fabric and Thread
Split your thread so you can work with four strands at a time. Thread the needle with those four strands and secure your fabric in the hoop with good tension—firm but not drum-tight. If you’re unsure about splitting floss or threading, the presenter mentions separate “how-to” videos that demonstrate these steps in more detail. magnetic embroidery hoop
Pro tip
- Keep a small offcut of fabric nearby to test stitch length and tension before you begin on the design.
Watch out
- Avoid over-tightening your hoop; too much tension can distort satin stitches.
Quick check
- With the hoop comfortably taut, the needle should glide without puckering the fabric.
Mastering the Border: Satin Stitch and Chain Stitch
The border is the perfect place to settle into rhythm. You’ll satin stitch the leaves first, then add a crisp chain stitch line beneath to tidy the edge.
Techniques for Neat Leaf Shapes
Begin by satin stitching each leaf across its narrowest width rather than along its length. Shorter spans mean you can add more stitches and control the curve more easily. The result is smoother coverage that follows the printed shape.
Aim to stitch slightly beyond the printed line so there’s no white guide peeking out. If you notice tiny gaps, don’t unpick—simply add a few more satin stitches on top to close them. This layering approach maintains momentum and avoids fraying from repeated removal. magnetic hoops for embroidery
To finish a thread, turn the hoop over and run the tail beneath a few existing stitches, then trim. There’s no need for knots on the back, which keeps the reverse flatter and the front smoother.
Adding Definition with Chain Stitch
Once several leaves are filled, add a single line of chain stitch underneath to neaten the border. The presenter uses the link method for chain stitch (there’s a separate video for this), looping each new chain through the previous to create a continuous line.
Work steadily with even tension so each loop is the same size. Nestle the chain line snugly against the satin leaves; it should read visually as a clean outline that caps the leaf row. magnetic embroidery frames
When a border segment is complete, check for evenness. Are the chain links uniform? Are leaf edges covered? If something looks slightly uneven, remember you can add individual satin stitches to refine.
Pro tip
- Move around the border in sections if that keeps you engaged. The video’s instructor darts between border and central elements for variety—and that’s a perfectly valid approach.
Quick check
- Hold the hoop at arm’s length. The border should look uninterrupted, with no pale guide lines showing between or around leaves.
Bringing the Central Design to Life: The Snake
Once your hands are warmed up, head into the central scene. The snake demonstrates how a simple satin fill can look polished—especially when you layer color.
Layering Colors with Satin Stitch
Start with the snake’s body in satin stitch. Cover the printed eye area completely now; it’s much easier to stitch the eye on top later. Keep stitches packed snugly for a smooth surface.
After the first color goes in, add the second color. The key detail here is placement: bring the needle up right beside the previous color and, when you go down, drop into the same hole used by the first color. This locks the two colors together without a gap, tidying any unevenness from the initial layer. snap hoop monster
Continue alternating sections to build movement down the body. The crisp, shared edges help both colors look cleaner and more intentional.
Adding Fine Details: Tongue and Eye
Switch to a few tiny straight stitches to add the snake’s tongue. For the eye, place a few short stitches on top of the satin-filled head—simple marks that bring the character to life. mighty hoop
Step back and check proportion and definition. The tongue should be delicate; the eye should sit clearly on the satin without spreading or distorting the fill beneath.
Watch out
- Small details can pucker if you pull too hard. Ease up on tension for those tiny straight stitches.
Quick check
- From a short distance, the edge between colors should look like a single, clean seam with no fabric peeking through.
Embroidering the Majestic Crow
The crow’s tail showcases chain stitch as a filling method, while the wing and head feathers combine short straight stitches with a central chain “spine” for dynamic texture.
Filling the Tail with Chain Stitch
Begin a chain stitch line along one outside edge of the tail. Then mirror it on the opposite edge. Working the two sides first helps you plan the middle rows as the shape narrows.
Add side-by-side rows of chain stitch to fill the interior, placing them close so there are no gaps. As the tail tapers, you’ll need fewer rows to finish the tip; start a new short chain in the narrow center when the two edges draw close. embroidery machine for beginners
Pro tip
- Keep each row parallel to the previous. Gentle course corrections avoid ripples without unpicking.
Quick check
- Run a fingertip across the filled tail: it should feel even and solid, with no dips where fabric shows.
Creating Dynamic Feathers
Lay short straight stitches that radiate from a central line, spacing them relatively evenly. Work one side first, then the other; overlaps between neighboring branches are fine.
Add a chain stitch down the center, covering the bases of those short lines to form a strong feather “spine.” For the crow’s head, use the same logic: short straight strokes finishing each chain-based stalk. magnetic hoops for embroidery machines
Watch out
- If spacing drifts, stop and place the next straight stitch by eye where a clean rhythm resumes—don’t fuss over perfection.
Quick check
- The overall impression should be rhythmic, like evenly spaced chevrons flowing under a single, secure center line.
Finishing Touches and Display
Securing Your Stitches Turn your hoop over and run thread tails under a few existing stitches. Trim cleanly without knots. This is the consistent finishing technique used throughout the video for satin, chain, and straight stitches.
Framing Your Completed Artwork The video notes you can explore framing options later, including frames that are pre-painted or ready to paint yourself. Specific framing steps aren’t shown, so choose a method you’re comfortable with—just make sure your piece is clean, well-blocked, and fully dry if you’ve removed the hoop. magnetic embroidery hoops
Tips for Enjoyable Embroidery
Embrace Imperfection The instructor’s philosophy is to keep momentum: if a leaf edge looks a bit uneven, layer a few satin stitches on top rather than unpicking. Done is better than perfect, and those small adjustments create a visually tidy finish.
The Joy of Creative Freedom Feel free to alternate between border and central motifs to stay engaged. The video’s maker hops between areas for variety—and that’s a wonderful way to keep energy high on a larger piece. magnetic embroidery hoops uk
From the comments There were no public comments available to summarize at the time of writing. If you’re stitching along, consider noting what helped you most—border first or central motifs first—and share your insight with fellow embroiderers.
Troubleshooting quick list
- Visible white print line: Add a few satin stitches that extend just beyond the guide.
- Wobbly chain stitch outline: Slow down and keep loop sizes consistent; nudge the line snug against the satin.
- Gaps between two satin colors: Stitch into the same hole along the boundary to close the seam.
- Puckering on details: Loosen tension slightly and shorten stitch length for tiny elements like the tongue and eye.
Time and pacing The video doesn’t specify exact timing per section, and that’s okay. Work in comfortable sessions: warm up on leaves, then reward yourself with a central motif like the snake or a decorative section like the crow’s feathers.
Materials recap
- Thread: Stitched with four strands throughout (brand and thread type not specified)
- Fabric: Pre-printed (type not specified)
- Tools: Hoop, needle, scissors
- Stitches: Satin stitch, chain stitch, running stitch
Care and handling Gently roll or store your hoop between sessions to avoid creases. Keep hands clean and dry to protect light-colored stitches. If you plan to frame later, avoid pressing directly on textured chain areas—steam from a distance and block carefully.
Project summary This design looks intricate but relies on straightforward techniques applied with intention:
- Border leaves: short-span satin stitches over the narrow width
- Chain stitch outline: a neat line to cap the border
- Snake: satin layers with shared-hole boundaries for crisp color joins
- Crow tail: chain stitch fill, row by row, narrowing cleanly at the tip
- Feathers: radiating short straight stitches unified by a chain down the center
Carry these principles to other projects—smooth fills, clean outlines, layered details, and confident finishing—so every design looks like you stitched it freehand, not from a kit. dime magnetic hoop