From the page: The plastic cup has a bright future
Idea 6
Plastic embroidery
Embroidering on alternative materials was born of creative scarcity: at various times, seamstresses pierced tins, cards and plastic to decorate with thread when fabric was scarce. The disposable cup is firm and doesn't fray, working as a ready-made "canvas," rigid and light for the needle.
What you need
- Disposable cups (white or colored ones make the embroidery stand out)
- Embroidery floss, thin yarn or cotton thread
- A thick blunt-tipped needle or one with a slightly rounded point
- Scissors, a hole punch or the needle itself to open the holes
- A pen to mark the design
How to make it
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1
Draw on the cup the motif you want to embroider — a flower, an initial, geometric lines — keeping the design away from the rim, where the plastic is more fragile.
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2
Pierce the outline of the design with the needle or hole punch, spacing the holes about a quarter of an inch apart; piercing first keeps the plastic from tearing when you sew.
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3
Thread the needle, tie a thick knot at the end and start passing through the holes, filling in the design with a straight stitch or backstitch, as if the cup were an embroidery canvas.
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4
Work without pulling the thread too tight, because plastic dents under strong tension — the blunt tip of the needle helps keep it from tearing between holes.
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5
Finish with a knot hidden inside the cup and trim the excess thread close.
Finishing touches
a set of cups embroidered with the same motif makes a charming table decoration for parties, or can hold a small plant inside, combining the embroidery with a touch of green.
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