Recommended strand counts

• 1 strand: facial features, eye glints, mouth, hair highlights, basket weave lines, and small flower centers.
• 2 strands: skin fill, dress fill, hair body, basket, flowers, leaves, and most outlines.
• 3 strands: optional for raised flower knots, a padded basket rim, or chunky bouquet texture in a larger hoop.

Keeping the figure gentle

• Use minimal facial detail; tiny eyes and a soft mouth usually look sweeter than heavy outlines.
• Stitch the face and hair before the basket if the arms overlap the bouquet.
• Keep the basket flowers slightly raised so they feel full and abundant in front of the dress.

Soft portrait shading

Use 948 on the light-facing side of the face and hands, 754 through the main skin area, and 758 only in small contour points. Keep stitches short and smooth.

Dress dimension

Use 3752 along shoulders and fold tops, 932 through the main dress, and 931 in the skirt folds. Change stitch direction slightly between panels for fabric movement.

Full basket texture

Work the basket body before flowers. Add darker weave lines under the bouquet and bright 738 strokes along the rim so the basket remains visible beneath the blooms.

Where to outline

• Split stitch the girl’s silhouette before filling the dress and skin areas.
• Use 898 sparingly for eyes, hairline, and deep hair shadows.
• Back stitch the basket handle and rim with 801 so the woven form stays clear.
• Add flower centers, tiny knots, and eye highlights after all filled areas are complete.

Where to keep edges soft

• Blend cheeks and hands with tiny stitches rather than a hard outline.
• Do not outline every hair strand; let curved rows create the texture.
• Let leaves overlap the basket rim slightly so the bouquet feels natural.
• Keep small background flowers simple so the figure and basket remain the focus.