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
Embroidery Gift Guide
Stitchers love to stitch, and they love to receive handmade gifts. We have put together an embroidery gift guide with projects, tools and supplies that are good for the embroiderers…
Spotlight: Michelle Staub, Pet Embroidery Artist
Pet embroidery artist Michelle Staub starts with photos of much-loved pets and creates realistic embroidered portraits with needle and thread. With her attention to detail and and an eye for…
Spotlight: Jo Avery, Fiber Artist
Fiber artist Jo Avery began creating with needle and thread as a child when she sewed alongside her big sister. That lit the spark for Jo, and she takes a…
Spotlight: Lindsay Swearingen, Embroidery Artist
Describing her work as whimsical dark humor, embroidery artist and designer Lindsay Swearingen takes cross stitch to a level beyond traditional schoolchild samplers. Designed and stitched with as much precision…
Spotlight: Jamie Chalmers, aka Mr. X Stitch
As Mr X Stitch, embroidery artist Jamie Chalmers promotes cross stitch as a contemporary art form through his patterns, blog and social media channels, attracting attention wherever he goes as…
Spotlight: Rose Andreeva, Embroidery Artist
Capturing the natural world with impeccable detail, embroidery artist Rose Andreeva honors both her subject and her art with stunning realism. Her expressive stitches rise from the background, almost convincing…
Spotlight: Jen Broemel, Fiber Artist
With training as an architect and the improvisational instincts of an artist, Jen Broemel creates fiber art that is both structured and free-flowing. The layers of hand stitch that float…
Spotlight: Ailish Henderson, Textile Artist
From her large body of collected work, Textile Artist Ailish Henderson shares her art by printing her designs onto fabric and creating scarves and cushion covers - wearable art for…