Here's a tutorial I wrote awhile ago that I thought I would share with y'all!
I learned this design technique in a quilting class that I took. It was originally used to make appliqué patterns. Afterwards, I realized that this method could be applied to embroidery:
Take a square piece of paper slightly larger than you want your finished design to be.
1. Fold the paper in half as shown in the diagram below by a dotted line, in the direction of the arrow, so that you have a rectangle.
2. Fold it in half along the dotted line, so you have a square. Make sure that the centre of the square is lined up with the centre of your next fold.
3. Fold it in half diagonally along the dotted line, so that you have a triangle.
4. Unfold your paper. You should see the fold lines as shown in the diagram.
5. Draw one part of your design (using pencil) between two fold lines. Fold your paper along one of the folds so that your drawing is on the inside.
6. Use an eraser and rub the back of the paper where your drawing is.
7. Keep on folding and rubbing until the design is symmetrical. You may want to darken the rubbed lines so that they transfer visibly.
8. Draw, fold and rub until your pattern is complete.
9. Once you are done, you can transfer or trace in onto fabric and embroider your fabulous design!
Here is an example of a pattern I made, but don’t forget to make your own:
