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
Seed Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
Seed Stitch is next for my 100-stitch embroidery sampler. Seed stitch is similar size stitches in random directions to fill in a space. Couldn't put it down!
Running Stitch Embroidery: Instructions and YouTube
Here is my embroidery sampler #3 - the running stitch, one of the most basic embroidery stitches. Try to make even stitches, matching length top and bottom.
10 Resources for Free Hand Embroidery Patterns!
I've found some blogs and websites that offer free embroidery patterns! Patterns for whatever mood strikes. All designs are free!
Best Tools for Hand Embroidery
Tools for hand embroidery are not complicated, but you want the best quality you can afford. The best scissors, needles, threaders, hoops and books are here.
Best Threads for Hand Embroidery: Floss and Thread Guide
The thread you choose for hand embroidery can change the look of your project. Matte or shiny? Thick or thin? smooth or nubby? Cotton, silk, wool or metallic?
Couching Stitch Tutorial: Tips and Video
This is the perfect embroidery stitch to showcase a thread as the decorative thread stays entirely on top of your work, held in place with a working thread.
How to do the Split Stitch Embroidery: Hand Embroidery Tutorial
With Split Stitch, you split your thread with the point of the needle in the middle of each stitch. The overlap adds texture to the hand embroidered line.
How to Stem Stitch Embroidery; Tutorial with Video
If you follow your line and take small, consistent stitches, tight curves appear smooth with Stem Stitch. You can achieve sharp corners, too.