Create Whimsy

Inspring makers and sharing their stories

Embroidery

Category: <span>Embroidery</span>

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 TutorialsHand EmbroideryMachine EmbroiderySashiko

Embroidery Basics

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

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...

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...

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

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...

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

Close up of the patches on the denim dress

Repurposed Denim Dress

With mis-matched cotton scraps and perle cotton thread I arranged squares on a repurposed denim dress and attached with a running stitch in the Boro style.
Embellished bra for a fundraiser

Ode to a Mammogram

I made this bra for Sew News Magazine's Breast Cancer Awareness Project. It won Viewers' Choice and now resides in the Women's Health Clinic in Detroit, MI.
handmade scissor sheaf made from little hexies

EPP Scissor Sheaf

Hand embroidered scissor case with 1/4-inch English Paper Pieced hexagons. Cotton fabric, embroidery floss and decorative cording. Stitched by hand.
Thread Painting Alice

Thread Painting

I have always been interested in threadpainting. I took a workshop in Santa Fe from Jennifer Day. This was my first practice piece.
Cross Stitch Baby Gift

Counted Cross Stitch Baby Gift

Cross Stitch a baby gift that will be cherished for years to come. Customize with baby's name and stitch a design that will delight a boy or a girl.