DIY Embroidered Plastic Canvas Earrings

Content Overview

Example of embroidered earrings

Light embroidered earrings with small insect motifs.

What do you need?

Cross stitch or embroidery pattern Plastic canvas Embroidery thread or embroidery wool Blunt embroidery needle Small cutting pliers Jump ring Earring hooks View digital patterns Learn to embroider

Choose a small pattern that will hang nicely

For earrings, a compact motif works best: a heart, flower, star, fruit, initial or small geometric pattern. Don't make it too big, because plastic canvas is light, but an earring should still move comfortably. Do you want two identical earrings? Then count carefully how many holes wide and high your…

This is how you can make embroidered earrings

The technique is almost the same as an embroidered key ring. The difference is mainly in the precision: finish the edges neatly and always check whether your two earrings remain the same size.

Prepare your thread

Cut a comfortable length of thread and thread your embroidery thread through a blunt embroidery needle. On plastic canvas your thread may be slightly fuller than on fine embroidery fabric. If necessary, test a few stitches first: you want the canvas to fill nicely, without having to push through the…

Embroider the first motif

Embroider your chosen pattern onto the plastic canvas. Work with even stitches and leave enough empty space around the motif so that you can cut neatly later. Keep the back as flat as possible as earrings twist and move when worn.

Make the second motif the same

Embroider the second earring next to the first or use the first as a counting example. Check in between whether both motifs have the same number of holes in width and height. With asymmetrical shapes you can possibly make the second motif in mirror image, so that the set points nicely towards each o…

Cut out the shapes

Carefully cut out the motifs with small cutting pliers or sharp scissors. Leave a narrow edge of plastic canvas around your stitches. Do not cut through the outer threads, as this may cause your edge to become looser or look frayed.

Finish the edge

Embroider around the edge of each design to beautifully conceal the plastic canvas and add extra strength. This is the step that immediately makes your earrings neater. Choose the same color as your motif for a calm finish, or a contrasting color if you want the shape to stand out.

Create a hanging point

Choose a sturdy hole at the top for the jump ring. Is your motif very close to the edge? It is better to embroider an extra stitch around that point, so that the ring does not pull through a weak piece of canvas. Open the jump ring sideways with pliers, not by pulling it open like an oval.

Install the earring hook

Slide the jump ring through the canvas and hang the earring hook on it. Close the ring completely, so that there is no small crack left for the hook to come out. Then place both earrings next to each other and check whether they hang the same length.

Extra tips for light, sturdy earrings

It is better to make a test shape from paper first if you are unsure about the size. Hold it up to your ear for a moment to see if the size feels comfortable. Don't use too many heavy beads or metal charms. A small accent is nice, but earrings should remain light. Briefly tuck loose threads under ex…

Make your earrings beautifully balanced

When making embroidered earrings, it is immediately noticeable if the left and right hang slightly differently. Therefore, place your two motifs next to each other before you start assembling and check whether they are the same size, weight and finished in the same direction. Are you making an asymm…