This year, don’t just let your geek flag fly. Hand embroider that geek flag with your favorite quote or character.

If you enjoy the Dresden Files, you’ll love this free hand embroidery pattern designed by Jennifer from Sew Hooked. Check out her blog and Craftsy store for more original pattern designs.

I’m totally Sher-locked myself, so this next free hand embroidery pattern by Jordan F (username: dozmuffinxc), as found on FandomStiches.com is something I’m definitely going to try.

The only thing is, I look at these fun patterns and can’t help but wonder, how do you make a quote or line drawing into an embroidery pattern. I did a little digging and found this awesome tutorial on making your own hand embroidery design from Angel and Amy on their blog Tada! Creations.

And then I found another tutorial on color tinting your embroidery using crayons and an iron. The technique is so easy, but the impact of the final product packs a real wallop. I found this tutorial on Urban Threads, and it’s got great step-by-step instructions with pictures.

Links of Interest

• Find the Sherlock embroidery designs here http://www.fandominstitches.com/2011/05/fiction-and-literature.html, along with tons of other free patterns spanning a huge breadth of fantoms.
• Download the Dresden Files hand embroidery pattern here http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/embroidery/hand-embroidery/paranoid-quote-embroidery-dresden-files/102451, and don’t forget to check out Sew Hooked’s Craftsy store and blog for more great ideas and patterns
• TaDa! Creations has got the really good tutorial on making your own hand embroidery designs here: http://tadacreations.blogspot.com/2010/02/hand-embroidery-tutorial.html
• Urban Threads has got another really good tutorial on color tinting your hand embroidery with crayons here: http://www.urbanthreads.com/tutorials.aspx?t=PRH1071
• More Sherlock on Geek Crafts!
• More Dresden Files on Geek Crafts!
• More embroidery projects and ideas on Geek Crafts!