People In This Community Don’t Believe Embroidery Is Remotely Boring, Here Are Their 50 Best Works (New Pics)
We humans have the unique ability to take something ordinary and add a little extra to it. While this interest of ours has culminated in a myriad of decorative art forms, embroidery is one of those that we've invested most of our time and effort in.
You're already familiar with it even if the name sounds foreign. In simple terms, embroidery is the process of applying decorative designs onto fabric using a needle—these motifs are traditionally rendered in thread and are composed of different kinds of stitches.
Embroidery has existed, in some form, in virtually every population. Whether they've displayed it on clothing, home goods, or as an artwork, this is a timeless craft that has become an integral part of our material world. And the subreddit r/Embroidery has the pics to prove it.
This online community has 628K members, constantly showing off their best works, and many are so good, we think they deserve your attention as well. Continue scrolling to check out some of their latest projects and fire up our earlier publications on the subreddit here and here for more.
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A Couple Thousand French Knots & Endless Hours Later, I Finished This 22" Star Chart! Really Pleased With How It Came Out
Finished My Most Ambitious Project To This Day. I Present To You My True To Size 3D Atlas Moth
The oldest surviving embroideries are Scythian, dating back to between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE. However, other civilizations also have long traditions of the craft. Roughly from 330 CE until the 15th century, for example, Byzantium produced embroideries lavishly ornamented with gold.
And while ancient Chinese embroideries have been excavated dating from the T'ang dynasty (618–907 CE), the most famous examples from that region are the imperial silk robes of the Ch'ing dynasty (1644–1911/12).
In India embroidery was also an ancient craft, but it is from the Mughal period (from 1556) that numerous pieces have survived, many finding their way to Europe from the 17th to the 18th century through the East India trade.
Lotus Pickers Done With French Knot Stitching. Took A Lot Of Time. What Do You Think?
Silly Rabbit
Someone Recently Called Me Bob Floss
Incredible! The depth you created with choice of colors and stitch length makes me want to reach out and touch it. Well done. BRAVO!
From the 16th century, Turkey produced elaborate embroideries in gold and colored silks with an impressive repertoire of stylized forms such as pomegranates, the tulip motif eventually predominating.
The Greek islands in the 18th and 19th centuries produced many geometric embroidery patterns, which differed from island to island, with those of the Ionian islands and Scyros showing Turkish influence.
First Project Ever
I'm upvoting this because I really fancy trying my hand at embroidery and know that my first piece isn't going to look as good / cute as this, so well done you!
Made By Nikki Mcmullen
Gift To Myself For My 28th Birthday (Self-Portrait)
Bird On A Wire
gorgeous! what amazing talent and grit. It would take me hours to create a painting this detailed, I can't imagine what it would take with string
The 10th-century stole of St. Cuthbert, embroidered in gold thread and preserved in Durham Cathedral, is the earliest surviving work of English embroidery.
The Crusades transmitted motifs of Saracenic art (such as pairs of confronting stylized animals), further reinforcing Byzantine influence in Europe and initiating heraldic embroidery.
All Finished! Forgot To Post It Earlier But It Took Me A Week To Finish. I Think It Looks Nice For Spring
Ukrainian Embroidery All By My Grandmother
A Larger Bird’s Eye View Embroidery With French Knots & Satin Stitch. What Do You Think?
A New One
In 1561 Elizabeth I granted a charter of incorporation to the Broderer's Company. It was a further step in the development of secular embroidery, already apparent in Henry VIII's reign.
Sixteenth-century English and French embroidery, in fact, were closely related, both tending to adapt engraved designs for their needlework patterns.
Llama Kuzco Is Finished! I’m So Thrilled With How This Turned Out!
Newest 3” Hoop
This is incredible. You can practically feel the gusts of wind, hear the rustling of the grass.
Loving How This Fishnet Piece Came Out !
This Is The Proudest I’ve Felt In A Long Time
At the time, embroidery was becoming an amateur craft rather than a profession, a change that was even more visible in the 17th century.
The fashion for crewel work, or worsted (wool) embroidery, dates largely from the 17th century, as does needlepoint, or canvas work. Samplers, used to record stitches and designs, became mainly decorative after the appearance of pattern books.
Anybody Like Red Pandas? How About Fuchsia Ones?
Made A Little Hobbit Hole For My Sister In Law For Christmas!
My Most Ambitious Embroidery Project Yet!
My Non Embroidering Boyfriend Got A Kit And Made Me This Cross Stitch Pendant And It Really Blew Me Away. Happy Valentines Day
Embroidery in 17th- and 18th-century North America also reflected European skills and conventions, however, the designs were often simpler and the stitches were often modified to save thread; samplers, embroidered pictures, and mourning pictures were the most popular.
In the early 19th century almost all other forms of embroidery in England and North America were superseded by a type of needlepoint known as Berlin woolwork.
“Knit 1 Purl 2. Knit 1 Purl 2. That’s Right!”
First Design Of My Own With Embroidery. It’s Imperfect, But It’s My Favorite Piece Of Art I Now Own
Hand Embroidered Self Portrait
Coming back to the subreddit, its moderators say that you don't need much to get started. The most basic supplies for hand embroidery are a hoop, a needle, fabric, and some 6-stranded embroidery floss. That's really it. Of course, you do need scissors to snip your thread and a way to transfer the design to your fabric but these are the things needed to actually stitch and likely the only items you don't already have in your home.
I Finally Finished This Piece
Realism First Attempt!
My First Embroidery Of 2022!
My Wild Thing Denim Vest Is Finally Done(?)
A very good way to start from the absolute beginning is to order an embroidery kit. Most will have thread, a needle, a hoop, and a design already worked onto the fabric provided. "No analysis paralysis as you stare at the 60+ shades of red, wondering which one might be the best," the mods said. "Kits also have the benefit of explaining what stitches you should be using in what section ... Once you complete your kit you then have a hoop and needle to use for other projects as well."
If you do decide to give embroidery a go, the subreddit has pretty much all the information a newbie might need.
Full-Length Hand Embroidery Of A Cat Is Ready
Progress Pic: Landscape Thread Painting. This Is Taking Forever!
You, my friend, have the patience of a god. I would have screamed and thrown this across the room after fifteen minutes of embroidering.
Willow Tree In Summer
Meowwwww , 1 Strand On 8” Hoop
Astronomer Here! I’ve Embroidered The Night Sky!
I love the blueish/blackish/purpleish color! Unrelated, I know, but it's super pretty!
Psa For Anyone Who Needs To Be Reminded Of This Today
Patrick Stewart Received The Portrait I Created Of Him, And Replied With A Thank You Note. Brb While I Turn Into A Puddle Of Glee
My Bunny
My Latest Embroidery “Weavers Of Life”, 8” Radius, December 2021. A Reminder To Remember Those Who Weave Our Clothing
My Covid 19 Candid Internet Photo Inspired Embroidery
I Took A Stab At Charlotte’s Web. Sadly, I’m No Charlotte!
Finished Up This Crow Yesterday
I make 92$ an hour doing something just kidding im not a bot lol.
My Second Embroidery Kit Completed And I’m So Pleased!
I Finished This Morton Salt Girl Project Yesterday And I'm So Proud!
Happy World Tapir Day!
My Embroidery Diary Did Not Go Too Well
Finished My First Embroidery Ever!
Wow good job, I also started with flowers but am ready to expand to new things!
My Star Wars Themed Embroidery Piece, Inspired By The Swamps Of Dagobah!
Due To Personal Reasons, Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
So So Proud Of The Result
Barn Owl. Embroidered Bag
My First Stab At Embroidery. Any Tips To Make It Look Less Like A Paint By Number?
Use finer thread. Maybe 2 of the 6 threads. This way you can make finer 'brush strokes'.
I Love Mushrooms
Upon Your Encouragement, I Added Antennas. I Am So Much Happier With It Now! Amazing What A Difference A Small Adjustment Makes!
Green Cheek Conure On Tulle. The Little Feet Tickle Me Pink. Beth Carroll Art
I Want To Show You One Of My Favorite Custom Embroidery
Spotlight
Modern and art-ish. I love all embroidery shown here, and this is one of the best.
Quick Little Project Celebrating The Reawakening Of The Forest Floor
Ode To Klimt
Thread Painting On 7” Hoop
Tried My Hand At Monochrome Embroidery! I Used Dmc Étoile Floss For A Bit Of Added Dimension And Sparkle
Very Happy With My Magic Chameleon And Wanted To Show Someone! Here He Is
Tried To Use Fabric To Represent The Bush- Does It Work?
I Embroidered Some Shoes For An Ocean-Loving Friend’s Birthday
Hand Embroidered Landscape Titled “Daydreaming”
Polyphemus Moth Embroidery
Made This For My Father, Who Loves To Make Ship Replicas And Paper Folding Geometric Crafts
Entering The Town Of Twin Peaks
Satin Stitches Wonky After Wash - How Can I Help Them?
My Best Work Yet, For My Dear Friend And Her Husband. I Can’t Wait To Give It To Them!
My Angler Fish Embroidery
Gay & Fruity
New Embroidery Book Has A “Wrong Side” On Back Of Cover
Some Of My Adventure Time Embroideries
Nazca Lines, Soooo Many French Knots Because I Wanted The Figures Sunken (Like The Real Ones In Peru’s Pebbly Desert Floor)
I Have Found A Perfect Background For This Embroidery I Created Back In 2020
Strange Women Lying In Ponds
“Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!”
Resting Place
Pet Me And Feed Me Pizza
Some Bern For This Cold Winter Day
I’m Still A Novice. I Did A Tarot Card. Letters Are So Hard!
And He's Done. Alfred Molina As Doctor Octopus In Embroidery. My Son Set Me The Challenge And I Do Like A Challenge. 45 Hours Of Stitchery
Some More Monochrome Embroidery! These Textures Are Very Enjoyable To Work With!
Lives Have Been - And Will Be - Lost To These Methods Thanks To Politicians Restricting Access To Safe Methods
I Really Like French Knots
Really Enjoyed This Pattern ! Just Need To Frame It!
Custom Chain-Stitched Rattlesnake On A Blue Velvet Jacket
Here’s The Finished Mini Embroidered Earrings From Earlier This Week
I Know I'm Not The Only One With This Kit, But This Being My First Stab At Embroidery, I Was So Pleased With How It Turned Out!
Hi!
Finally Finished My First Embroidery Based On My Own Design And Really Proud Of Myself
A Hobbit Hole To Warm Your Heart
Ok, story time. I wore sandals and was outside for a good chunk of the day, and I got a weird tan on my feet that my Momma thought made my feet look like Bilbo Baggins
Inspired By A Post Here Last Week Made My Own Pocket Flowers
Mount Fuji From Lake Yamanaka
I Started A New Position At The Beginning Of The Year. This Now Hangs Above My Desk
Cup Of Cats
1 Strand, 20 Colors And 8 Hrs Of Work, A Colorful Orchid Blossomed
Finally Finished This Piece For My Friend's Birthday. She Loves Bob Ross
Finished This Floral Mixed Media Piece - Embroidery, Beads And Gouache On Handmade Paper
Lil Microscope
I Heard A Call To Action From A Childhood Hero, So I Called Off Sick And Designed This
One Of My Favorite Pieces I’ve Stitched, From 2019
Medusssssa. So Happy With The Final Product. It Was Getting Dicey While Painting Her Face
My Cousins Grandmother With Her Late Husband. She Adores This Photo So I’m Very Excited To See Her Reaction
My Second Ever Embroidery Project Based On A Drawing I Found Online
Finally Finished This Design, All My Favourite Florals
Which Side Are You On?
Hand Embroidery I Made For My Son For His Birthday
Two More Edward Gorey Inspired Blackworks. Really Having Fun With These!
Pale Pink And Cream Roses On Ale Is Canvas Shoes
My Newest Embroidery! I Wanted To Try Something Different...
I Made A Coral Wreath!
So Many French Knots
So. Many. Knots. Happy Easter!
My Coworker's Wife Is Expecting, And I Wanted To Make Them A Little Something
My First Stab At Embroidery!
Sunflower Mosaic. Normally, I Stick To Mostly Outlines. Doing A Piece 'Filled In' Takes So Much Longer!
When A Friend Asked Me To Stitch A Donkey I Had My Doubts, But Now I Think I’m In Love With Him
Sauron Eye
Embroidered The Tame Impala Currents Album Cover. I’m So Proud Of It!
I was once playing Slow Rush out loud while I did chores. My wife walked in, and after a few minutes, said she hated it so much she felt irrationally angry.
I Made A Pin Inspired By My Cat Poppy’s Fluffy Toe Beans!
Hoop I Did For Christmas!
The First Big Project I Finished!
Jackrabbit Abduction! A Full-Back Design Chainstitched On A Purple Velvet Jacket
Sit Too Close To The TV And You’ll Go Blind!
Glow In The Dark Reptar With LED Eye
I Can Definitely Improve But It’s Cool
Got Inspired To Do This Bobs Burgers Piece It’s Called “I Just Wanna Dance Dad”
Super Stoked With This! My Try At Stitching A Holographic Effect
Finally Finished
Help Me Figure Out How I Feel About This... I Loved The Idea In My Head, But Feeling Meh About The Final Result
A Triforce Out Of French Knots. Tried To Make It Look Mossy
Go To Therapy
Congratulations! You Took A Bath Today. You Did It, Even If It's A Chore
I Embroidered A Target Polo For My Kiddo. Now It Looks Like She Goes To A Prep School For Witches
Everyone who's work was displayed did a bang-up job. I am now going to bed pretending that I am so inspired that I will go and buy a beginner's kit in the morning
Everyone who's work was displayed did a bang-up job. I am now going to bed pretending that I am so inspired that I will go and buy a beginner's kit in the morning