Learn how…
Learn Boutis: Step by Step
Introduction
For my demo project, I will be using the “Boutis Hearts Pattern 1” (top & right). The techniques learned through this tutorial can be applied to other boutis projects as well.
The project is small, easily portable and suitable for both beginners as well as more experienced stitchers. Depending on the colour choice of the threads and embellishments, these little hearts can easily adapt to any occasion or season: Christmas tree ornaments, Valentines, weddings, bridal showers, thank-you gifts, etc.
If you wish to follow along with the tutorial, a complete supply list will be available on this website with the next post: “*Materials”.
A PDF of the heart pattern will be available for free download with the first stage of construction:
“General Info and Preparation”.
“Boutis is a simple technique, but requires patience and focus,” (France Boutis). Anyone with basic sewing skills can find success with boutis. No matter what your stitching background, if you can stitch a running stitch, you can learn boutis.
Over the next few months, I will be posting a series of tutorials that will describe the various stages of boutis, from materials and preliminary preparation through to the finishing your boutis.
We will wander through each step and technique which will equip you with the basic information needed to successfully complete the project.
Each stage of the project will describe the basic technique and it’s particular application to boutis.
There are 5 basic steps to Boutis.
We’ll start with an overview of the materials and then move on through all 5 stages.
* Materials
1. General Info and Preparation: Tracing, Basting and Hooping
2. Stitching
3. Cording
4. Washing and Blocking
5. Finishing
Finishing
For those who don’t have access to boutis specific materials, you will have the option to purchase a kit which comes complete with the pattern, pre-printed onto the batiste, a printed manual and all boutis specific materials required to complete the project. Most additional tools and notions required will be familiar and very likely already in your sewing kit or easily available. A limited number of the Heart kits are available in my Etsy shop
Washing and Blocking
Stitching
Cording
Materials and Supplies
The tutorials will be posted here on my website, seamsfrench.org, at regular intervals to allow time to work on each stage. To be notified of the latest post, you might wish to sign up for my *newsletter, (see the bottom of this page), which will then direct the latest tutorial to your email.
The first segment, following shortly, will list the materials and supplies required and describe how they are used for boutis.
I look forward to the journey and hope to meet some of you along the way.
