Best Threads for Hand Embroidery: Floss and Thread Guide
Changing up the stitches is certainly a big element in making your hand embroidery as creative as it can be, but what you choose to stitch with adds yet another...
Embroidery
Embroidery, whether by hand or machine, is gaining popularity as a fiber arts technique that anyone can do. Some folks prefer to follow a pattern for tried and true embroidery designs. Others will take their embroidery stitches in brand new directions to create original art. And stitches can look very different depending on your choice of embroidery thread – color, weight, twist and fiber all add unique elements that make your work unique.
Beginners will find patterns and tutorials to learn everything from French Knots to Lazy Daisies. Experienced stitchers will find inspiration and resources while exploring the creations of working embroidery artists. So, let’s start stitching!
Embroidery Basics
10 Easy Embroidery Stitches to Embellish Your Projects
Hand embroidery is so relaxing, and small projects can go anywhere with you. There are a gazillion stitches out there. (Sometimes we invent our own if we embrace little slips...
Best Tools for Hand Embroidery
I love to stitch, and I’ve found that I enjoy the experience much more when I have my favorite tools close at hand. Hand embroidery doesn’t require a lot of...
Embroidery Artists and Inspiration
Spotlight: Michelle Kingdom, Embroidery Artist
With a strong sense of narrative, Michelle Kingdom embraces embroidery as an art form that has long been sidelined as "women's work". With lines of stitching, she creates textural drawings...
Spotlight: Alexis Acevedo, Embroidery Artist
Alexis Acevedo was studying fashion design when the needlepoint bug that had bitten her in childhood came buzzing back with the infinite design possibilities of color and texture she could...
Spotlight: Shirley Hudson, Designer
While her first embroidery project at age 10 presented challenges, Shirley Hudson is glad she persisted. She has made a career out of stitch, and her work designing patterns doesn't...
Sashiko Embroidery
Beginner’s Guide to Sashiko Supplies
Whether a student of historical Japanese Sashiko or a Modern Creative just looking for an easy, enjoyable slow stitching project, Sashiko might be “it”. All you need are simple sashiko...
How to Sashiko Stitch: A Step-by-Step Guide
Sometimes I want to get a project done really fast, but lately I have picked up a hand stitching project when I want to unwind. The slow, meditative process of...
How to Make Sashiko Ornaments
Making Sashiko ornaments is a great way to see what the slow-stitch movement is all about. It's slow stitch, to be sure, but the projects are so small you can...
More Embroidery
Spotlight: Samantha Boot, Textile Artist
Samantha Boot is a textile artist and quilter, specializing in the slow arts of hand stitch and natural color. She has always been a stitcher. During the pandemic, her desire to…
Spotlight: Priscilla Liu-tcheng, 3D Fiber Artist
Priscilla Liu-tcheng was surrounded by creativity growing up. She studied art in college and then took a hiatus from creating. Rediscovering embroidery during the pandemic, she now continues to challenge…
Easy Pumpkin Quilt Block Pattern: FREE Tutorial
Have fun making these pumpkin quilt blocks using only four fabrics. Line four or five in a row to make a fall table runner, or make many to make a…
Spotlight: Claire Wellesley-Smith, Textile Artist
Claire Wellesley-Smith is a textile artist, writer, and researcher. Her textile practice involves working with others, participation is central to everything she does. She works with groups to explore the…
Spotlight: Astrid Mussi, Artist
Astrid Mussi finds inspiration for her work from everywhere, especially the nature in Southern California. She now works with paper and thread to create her unique pieces of art. Along…
Spotlight: Barbara from Elverie aka bbeebling, Fiber Artist
Bbeebling dabbled in a variety of creative techniques, learning along the way. Each of those media has influenced her current work creating fantasy-inspired 3D fiber art often showcasing iridescent handmade…
How to Make a Colonial Knot: Hand Embroidery Tutorial
You know all about the French knot. Have you tried the Colonial Knot? Instead of twisting your thread several times around the tip of the needle to make a French…
Spotlight: Laney Boyd, Hand Embroidery Artist
Laney Boyd has degrees in music and experimented with many visual arts and crafts. She discovered embroidery and now creates detailed hand embroidery art. Her favorite stitch? The satin stitch!…