Activity Time: Embroidery Morse Code

Morse code is a method of communication. It is named after Samuel Morse, the inventor of the telegraph.

The International Morse Code includes the letters A-Z, the numbers 0-9, some punctuation, and procedural signs (prosigns).

Each Morse code character is formed by a standardized sequence of dots and dashes. The dot is used as the unit of time measurement. A dash is the length of three dots. Each dot or dash within a character is followed by a space, equal to the length of a dot. Letters in a word are separated by a space equal to three dots, and words are separated by a space equal to seven dots.

The dots and dashes of Morse Code make an excellent embroidery pattern! Watch and learn how you can create your own Morse code embroidery.

You can send messages through your art – can you figure out what we wrote?

Things you will need:

Scissors

Fabric – Quilting cotton works well, as does denim, cross-stitch cloth. You can use whatever fabric you have on hand

Embroidery Thread

Embroidery Needle

Embroidery Hoop

Morse code key: available at https://bit.ly/3e4VZ8T

Instructions:

1. Decide what you want your design to say and translate it to Morse code.

2. Transfer your design to the fabric. You can use a fabric marker or an erasable pen. Erasable pens are great because the heat from a hairdryer or hot iron makes their ink disappear at the end – no washing required.

3. Using two strands of six-strand embroidery thread, thread your needle and make a knot at one end.

4. Use French Knots to create the dots, and a running stitch for dashes. These stitches can be seen in detail in the video. There are also lots of great resources online to teach you the basic embroidery stitches.

5. Once you are done stitching, secure the thread at the back by knotting it.

6. There are many ways to finish your project:

a. Leave it in the hoop and cut away excess fabric

b. Frame it in a picture frame

c. Make a patch for clothing

Enjoy this opportunity to learn a new skill, or if you already embroider, learn a new way to use it!