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

Finished up and down buttonhole stitch

Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch

The up and down buttonhole stitch is a variation of the basic buttonhole stitch or blanket stitch and forms a scallop-like edge with a little knot at the base.
Work in progress

Spotlight: Sophie MacNeill, Fiber Artist

Inspired by nature and the world around her, Sophie MacNeill creates amazingly detailed fiber art pieces with hand dyed fabrics. Stitching forces Sophie to slow down and look closely. Her…
Center a Machine Embroidery Design with Hoop Templates - Line up template and fabric in hoop

Center Machine Embroidery with Hoop Templates

I was nervous about trying machine embroidery, but I have been lucky to have Pam Olney, good friend and machine embroidery expert, on speed dial. Pam's expertise was invaluable in…
Center a Machine Embroidery Design with Adhesive Spray - Design stitching out

Machine Embroidery Basics for Beginners

I was nervous about trying machine embroidery, but I have been lucky to have Pam Olney, good friend and machine embroidery expert, on speed dial. Pam's expertise was invaluable in…