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Photo:Giulia BertelliThis post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please readour disclosurefor more info.
For millennia, crafters have continuously found ways to turn everyday objects into works of art.
The story of embroidery is the story of the world.
Embroidery has existed, in some form, in every population across the globe.
Floral collar from Tutankhamun’s Embalming Cache (ca. 1336–1327 BCE) (Photo:Met MuseumPublic Domain)
Prevalent in cultures across the globe, embroidery has developed into one of the worlds most beloved crafts.
What is Embroidery?
You’re already familiar with embroideryeven if you had never realized it.
Photo: PericlesofAthens [Public domain],via Wikimedia CommonsDetail of an embroidery from 4th century BCE, Zhou-era tomb at Mashan, Hubei province, China
Simply put, the definition of embroidery is the art ofapplying decorative designs onto fabric using a needle.
These motifs are traditionally rendered inthreadand are composed of different kinds ofstitches.
History of Embroidery
Embroidery has been around foreverand that’s not an exaggeration.
Scene 23 of the Bayeux Tapestry (Photo:LucasviaFlickrCC BY 2.0)
it’s possible for you to also thank the Greek goddess Athena for embroidery’s legacy.
She’s credited with passing it down, in addition to weaving.
Much like the aesthetic capabilities of the craft itself, the history of embroidery is varied.
Photo: By Myrabella (Own work) [Public domain orCC0],via Wikimedia CommonsBayeux Embroidery, created in the 11th century. Measuring about 230 feet long, this section is of scenes 55 and 56.
It’s an ancient craft that first had a practical purpose of repairing clothing.
Over time, this practicality evolved into more of an expression through decorative arts.
Here, we trace its evolution by exploring many of the cultures that have shaped it.
Sarah K. Benning
Cro-Magnon Russia
The practice of embroidering textiles can be traced as far back as 30,000 BCE.
Floral collar from Tutankhamuns Embalming Cache (ca.
The most well-known examples of embroidery from this period are KingTutankhamuns hand-stitched treasures.
The Bayeux Tapestry. Odo, half-brother of William, Duke of Normandy, cheering his troops on (detail).
The oldest examples of embroidery from this period were found in a burial chamberinMashan in the Hubei province.
Measuring about 230 feet long, this section is of scenes 55 and 56.
Automation brought on by machines allowed for textiles, including embroidery, to be produced en masse.
Photo:Sarah Pflug
In the mid-1800s, France paved the way for a future of machine-made embroidery.
In doing this, it made the technique cheaper and easier to produce.
How is Embroidery Used Today?
Photo:Ekaterina_Minaevavia Shutterstock
Embroidery has experienced a resurgence over the past 10 years.
Sarah K. Benning
The desire to return to things that were handmade was bolstered by the economic downturn.
DIYing what you couldn’t afford was a major trend at this timeand it still exists today.
Dropcloth Sampler
For this reason, designs often appear less fluid and boxier than regular embroidery.
However, this angular quality makes cross-stitch a great style for embroidering words and phrases.
Odo, half-brother of William, Duke of Normandy, cheering his troops on (detail).
Cats Pattern by Holly Maguire x DMC
Crewel embroidery, orcrewelwork, is a punch in of surface embroidery that uses two wool threads at once.
This technique is usually used to follow a design outline, and can be rendered using variety of stitches.
From wool blends to hand-spun yarns, theres a huge variety of embroidery threads available for crewel work.
Jodie Ruffle x DMC
If you want to achieve a traditional look, we recommend using a linen twill as your fabric.
The term comes from its traditional roots, when artisans would have used black thread to stitch their designs.
This is why you might hear the same style referred to asSpanish blackwork.
Ruby Taylor x DMC
Nature is a particularly popular subject for stumpwork artists.
Many contemporary artists have adopted this particularly expressive approach.
For example, Cape Town-based artistDanielle Cloughuses thick, vivid yarns to create incredibly detailed portraits.
Jess Phoenix x DMC
I almost stumbled upon it, initially doodling on a piece of felt with thread and slowly adding colors.
This combined with photography developed into my technique, which to some is thread painting or freestyle embroidery.
Its even been called chicken scratch!
Inside the Greenhouse
Forcontemporary stitchers, this is the most common approach todaythey aren’t limited to one style.
Instead, they can pick and choose the stitches they use.
What do you’re gonna wanna start embroidering?
Srta. Lylo
One of the nice things about hand embroidery is that the supplies needed to start the craft are limited.
This means its easy to get your feet wet without investing in a huge amount of items.
And, over time, it’s possible for you to add diversity to what you work with.
Free cross-stitch pattern created using design found inThe Pattern Library
Many beginners start withembroidery kits, which often supply everything youll need to get started.
ArtistSarah K. Benning, for instance, creates her visually complex compositions using variations on the satin stitch.
To further illustrate this point, think about your fabric as you would a drawing.
Dropcloth Samplers
If you were to only use the back-and-forth technique, chances are your image might feel a little stale.
Its the same with embroidery.
How do you start an embroidery stitch?
Kiriki Press
The thickness of your stitch will depend largely on what youre using to sew.
DMC thread, a popular choice for embroidery artists, makes skeins of floss that comprise six smaller strands.
you might sew with all six threads for an ultra-thick stitch, or separate the strands into smaller portions.
What are the basic hand embroidery stitches?
Amanda Rolfegives an easy to follow demonstration of seven stitches.
Resources for Embroidery Designs and Patterns
The only way to improve your embroidery skills is consistent practice.
Embroidered Flowers (Photo:Mr_Mrs_MarchaviaShutterstock)
Luckily, theres no shortage ofhand embroidery patternsfor you to trymany of which are free.
DMC is making it easier than ever to try embroidery and have fun stitching contemporary imagery.
To make things even easier, they have the colors bundled as kits available for purchase on their website.
(Although this isnt required to download the pattern.)
Jodie Ruffle x DMC
Ruby Taylor x DMC
Jess Phoenix x DMC
Inside the Greenhouse
Srta.
Lylo
Another place to find hand embroidery patterns is throughEtsy.
There are many artists who regularly release their work as patterns that are available instantly for a nominal fee.
Between the free DMC patterns and Etsy, youre sure to stay busy stitching.
This site allows you todesign your embroidery patternswith just a click of a button.
Free cross-stitch pattern created using design found inThe Pattern Library
Creating your own pattern is easy.
Then, the pattern wizard matches the colors in your image to common threads.
Alternatively, you could tweak the colors and refine the image even further.
Once you are done setting up your pattern, Stitchboard imports it into a PDF available for download.
Stitchboard has a social component as well.
Theirdatabase of over 2.5 million patternsallows you to search via keywords for things youd like to sew.
Interested in even more embroidery resources?
Check out our guide,Everything it’s crucial that you Start Stitching Your Own Embroidery.
Want to Learn Embroidery?
Then, put your skills to practical use with all-inclusive animal doll kits byKiriki Press.
Some are narrated lessons, while others are simply tutorials to learn new stitches and hand embroidery patterns.
Embroidery Basics
Advanced Embroidery Classes
