Constellations. They’re just so…cool. In elementary school, we had a special week with the Star Lab, a big, inflatable dome with a star projector. It was awesome. And who doesn’t like star-gazing? That’s what I thought. So, I made two stellar embroidered art pieces for the boys’ bedroom. I started by drawing a constellation map on navy fabric I bought for the guest room headboard (but didn’t use).
Using white embroidery floss, I made stars and connected the constellations together. A large embroidery hoop kept my fabric tight while I worked in sections.
Not sure why, but I thought this would be a relatively quick project. I was wrong. It took several hours to make each 16 by 20 piece. But, it was worth it. After stitching every star, I stretched centered the fabric over an old canvas, then stapled it to the back, pulling tightly as I worked around.
A few areas didn’t stay tight, but that’s okay.
Now the boys can learn the constellations of the northern and southern hemispheres.
Like upside down Orion at the top, holding his bow.
And look! There’s his lower half in the upper left corner.
Getting one small thing done always makes me want to start/finish/fix other things in a room. Like painting the walls a solid color (popcorn, I’ll get to you one of these days!) and maybe spruce up this little hand me down play kitchen.
Do you think these are stellar? (Pun intended). Have you recovered or repurposed old canvases?
ourhumbleabodeblog.com 
Do they make glow in the dark thread? How cool would those be if they did!! I can definitely see how you could think it wouldn’t take to long to do. I actually have a few projects in the works that I thought would take no time at all…….and now they are sitting unfinished until I have time. Hmmm, maybe I’ll get to finish them in 17 years when both my kids are off to college!!
Hi Erin!
Hmm, I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen glow in the dark thread, but that would be so cool. I totally hear you on the unfinished projects. I hate when I under estimate the time it will take. Just makes me even less excited to finish it! Good luck with your unfinished ones. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
You’re awesome, Manda. I love ’em! Brilliant. And I admire your patience to no end. . . You’re the golden standard for being meticulous and getting really cool final products in the end! 🙂
Aww, thanks Mallory! You’re too sweet. 😀
Thanks!
Amanda
OMG I absolutely love this project! I just know I was an astronomer in a past life. 🙂 I think I may tweak this project and paint a canvas dark blue and use a glow-in-the-dark paint pen.
Hi Malibou!
Thank you so much! I think glow in the dark pens would be awesome for this!!
Thanks!
Amanda
You are so creative! I love these.
Hey Mary!
Thank you for your sweet compliments!
Thanks!
Amanda
Love this idea!!! So cool.
Hi Andrea + kris + our chaos!
Thanks! It was a fun project, too, even if it did take longer than I thought. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
I love this! I’m working on my big boys’ room right now and pulling everything together for a gallery wall. I would love the land of nod galactic pendant light in their book so this would be a fun addition!
Hi Sara!
Ooh, this would be a really fun addition. You could modify it by painting a canvas, drawing with a paint pen on paper to frame, or even using a fabric marker on fabric to get a similar look. Stretching it inside an embroidery hoop for hanging could be really cute, too. Have fun crafting!
Thanks!!
Amanda
These are so creative and cute! Nice!
Hi Erin!
Thank you so much! You’re too sweet. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
This is one of the most amazing things EVER! What did you use as your guide when you traced the constellations on the fabric? Did you just look at something and draw it by hand?
Hi Natalie!
Thank you so much! I found a constellation map online and referenced it to transfer to the fabric. The good thing is that the placement doesn’t have to be perfect. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
This is so cool! Have you ever thought of selling kits or even just the pattern? I’d probably buy them… just say’in. 🙂
Hey Heatherk7!
Thanks for your sweet compliments. Check Etsy for the kits. I think I remember seeing some on there a while ago. 🙂
Thanks!!
Amanda