Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Apparently, Embroidery Tattoos Are A Thing And It Looks Cooler Than It Sounds (30 Pics)
Two art forms, both involving the use of needles, but seemingly worlds apart. But no more. Embroidery, a classical art that you are more likely to associate with your grandma, has combined with the tattoo scene to create beautiful, folky designs that are both unique and traditional at the same time.
The results speak for themselves. The rich, textured designs look like the ink has been sewn into the skin, and take on an almost 3D appearance as they 'pop' out at you. Many designs are a contemporary take on a timeless technique, with a series of tiny x's combining to form a bigger picture.
What do you think? Would you consider getting a tattoo like this? Scroll down to check out Bored Panda's list for inspiration, and let us know what you think in the comments!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Threaded Vibrance
Lois Harach 6 years ago
I think it's amazing! I'm 62, and have been doing embroidery since I was about 6 years old. I think this is a beautiful expression of ones heart and soul. As well as, an homage to Grandma's everywhere! Like me!
ForkNBeans 6 years ago
Lois, I just love your comment. You nailed it, Grandma! xoxo
Load More Replies...
Carrie Hoover 6 years ago (edited)
I never cease to be amazed by the talent of tattoo artists!
Peggy Barrett 6 years ago
I've never considered getting a Tattoo, but, this could change my mind ~ Beautiful
Catherine Todd 6 years ago
Gorgeous but surely painful! Beauty hurts! (I could never do this, but bravo to those who do!)
RELATED:
#2
Threaded in Ink
Isis Tay 6 years ago
That's my arm it took aprox. 11 or 12 hours in two sessions. It was such an amazing experience. ✨ And I Will do it again. @yomera1 is amazing doing this.
Load More Replies...
Lois Harach 6 years ago
I know to embroider this piece would take me months to do. But, I have ADHD, so I get bored quit easily. Plus, those embroidery needles are really hard on the fingers and thumb, so if it was a huge project, I'd take breaks so my digits could heal up some.
#3
Feathered Artistry Unleashed
The Dutches 6 years ago
WoW. Really beautiful. Never wanted a tattoo, but maybe i will now. Great idea!
Meechelle Reha 6 years ago
You won't regret it, friendly warning tattoos are highly addicting, so save up some money because you will needed it!! Tattoos are art of your imagination, so good luck & have fun!!
Load More Replies...
Shannon Brown 6 years ago
Now this looks like some well made embroidery, love the colors chosen!!
#4
Patch Perfectly Inked
Cleber “Myartinspire” Martins 6 years ago
would be nice to give the artists credit. few of the tattoos listed on this article by Duda Lozano
#5
Faded Floral Vibes
HellCat 6 years ago
This is actually so cool! I want to have something similar, only with traditional Romanian embroidery symbols. I absolutely love it!
Miradona Balog 6 years ago
I have one, a rose, half realistic, half embroided. Andi want my spine tattooed with a traditional motif
Load More Replies...
Christine Barlow 6 years ago
This is so cool.Tho Im not sure about on aging sagging skin , so regrettfully,Ill have to pass
Tricia Janitzky 6 years ago
WOW! So intricate and delicate...really like this. When I embroidered I'd always hated doing cross stitch ...
#6
Classic Cartoon Cheers
Ellie Ragsdale 6 years ago
Yeah I find it hard to believe that the cap is part of a tattoo. It looks like an actual bottle cap. How did the artist do this?
Load More Replies... Lois Harach 6 years ago
It's a great bottle cap, but I wouldn't want to go through eternity with Homer Simpson tattooed on me. Or, any of the characters from The Simpsons.
Maya Kuntz 6 years ago
It looks like they just ironed on a patch and then put a bottle cap on it.
Ang.stl 6 years ago
I'm not a huge Simpsons fan, but it's hard to argue that this artist isn't amazing!! If I could come up with an idea of what I wanted, I have a scar that needs covered. It's like 11 or 12 years old, so no big rush!
ForkNBeans 6 years ago
I hope you find the right artist to help you come up with your own unique design!
Load More Replies...
#7
Botanical Glitch Art
Meechelle Reha 6 years ago
I absolutely agree with, it has so much detail, it's Gorgeous!
Load More Replies...
Loraine MacGinness 6 years ago
If you must have a tattoo this is certainly more appealing to look at, quite beautiful !!
Lois Harach 6 years ago
I think it's absolutely stunning! Such delicate colours! For those who want dark purple flowers, let them have them! But, I'm sure this lady is very excited to have this on her arm. I know I would be...
#8
Stitched in Color
Ang.stl 6 years ago
I can maybe see eyes and a nose, but I can't get a whole face. But I love hummingbirds so much, I might. It ever see past them!!
Load More Replies...
#9
Stitching Through Time
Catherine Todd 6 years ago
Wow! So exacting... but OUCH just looking at it! Such artistry at work...
#10
Patchwork Personality
Amazon QT 6 years ago
This is AWESOME, but not that awesome for me to get one... I HATE needles.
Load More Replies...
Leanne Long-French 6 years ago
that is really gonna look GOOFY when his hair grows back, gross!!
Victoria Barton Barton 6 years ago
i had that patch on my backpack in high school still have the patch
#11
Threaded by the Sea
Debbie Kaylo 6 years ago
looks like an applique has been placed on the arm; see the loose threads on the outline....
Ang.stl 6 years ago
The shadows are what really sell it as a patch to me!
Load More Replies...
Kat Khatib 6 years ago
Whoever the Artist is...AMAZING!!! Almost couldn't convince me that it was NOT an applique!! The SHADING...the Stitches!!
#12
Patchwork Charm
#13
Stitched With Style
Kasey Kelly 6 years ago
I like how they left some loose threads hanging out in areas, which makes it even more realistic. Pretty clever!
Load More Replies...
Shirley Heyn 6 years ago
This artist is exceptionally talented with dimension, shading, and texture, not sure all tattoo'ers could this.
Karen Tucker 6 years ago
Love it! What a great idea. And, no, I won't have it done, but it sure looks cool.
ForkNBeans 6 years ago
What a great way to showcase one's hobby or profession! This is fabulous!
#14
Threaded Ink Magic
#15
Stitched in Ink
Talia Johnson 6 years ago
This one even looks like it has the tiny bits of paper from the embroidery patch.
Linda Gillenwaters 6 years ago
And there is shading, or shadowing around the edges. Looks like the patch is glued to the skin with some kind of temporary adhesive.
Load More Replies...
Paula Hannon 6 years ago
That looks so real you'd nearly think you could pick that off her body.
#16
Dueling Dudes in Denim
ille102 6 years ago
Cartoon versions of the characters from Pulp Fiction :)
Load More Replies...
#17
Quirky Inked Nostalgia
#18
Floral Code Inked
#19
Floral Vibes With A Twist
M Dream 6 years ago
μεράκι (meraki): creating sth with love and soul. greek word, derived from a turkish word. "the artist made these tattoos with a lot of meraki"
Emily Strong 6 years ago (edited)
Lol. It's been over 20 years since I studied Greek and my memory is fuzzy, so I was like, "...doesn't that mean 'taste'? Why 'taste'?" I appreciate the far more accurate translation!
Load More Replies... Madeleine Joiner 6 years ago
not so keen on this one the coloured parts don't look like stitches and i think the black edges are spaced too widely
#20
Floral Beats Within
Karin Morris 5 years ago
This type doesn't make any sense to me. Is it supposed to mean they love needlepoint with all their heart?
Kasey Kelly 6 years ago
I was thinking cover-up, as well. Still a nice tattoo, but looks like a cover-up due to the full coverage on the bottom half.
Load More Replies... #21
Minion Mashup Madness
Peta Hurley-Hill 6 years ago
I really don't know why so many adults are obsessed by these things.
#22
Patch Perfect Ink
AzKahleesi 6 years ago
What is "appa" an I'm super curious because This is what I called my grandfather my whole life until he passed, it came from my brother not being able to say Grandpa correctly and he said "appa" and it stuck for all of us. So I'm shocked to see it.
Load More Replies...
the Lemon Queen 6 years ago
I need this tattoo right nOW (my appa-logies for my appa-ling demands (and those puns, apparrently))
#23
Vintage Vibes Inked
These cross-stitch tattoos look like they were sewn into skin — in the best way. Discover more illusion-based and crafty tattoos in our unique tattoo ideas hub.
#24
Modern Stitch Vibes
#25
Patchwork Attitude
Troy Currie 6 years ago
That's inside the arm that rubs a lot, a real stud would catch on fabric.
Load More Replies...
#26
Threaded Ink Art
#27
Threaded Cartoon Vibes
Luis Milian 6 years ago
"look Morty, we are in a dimension were we are part of a Bad A*s Tattoo"
Kasey Kelly 6 years ago
This is my absolute favourite, but that could be due to the subject of the tattoo and not so much the application, which seems a tad dark making it a bit muddy; still an amazing embroidered tattoo!!
#28
Pixel Perfect Bloom
#29
Unexpected Mashup Alert
Kasey Kelly 6 years ago
I think it’s awesome when they leave some threads loose, then it looks even more realistic!
Load More Replies... 
#30
Living Life Stitch by Stitch
Chadwick Horn 6 years ago (edited)
Looks like Psalms 46: God, Refuge and Strength(?). "Deus, meu Refúgio e Fortaleza"
Load More Replies...
Lagertha Lothbrok 6 years ago
I think thr text is "Deus, meu refúgio e fortaleza" meaning God, my refuge and strength.
Lois Harach 6 years ago
Where did you see cross stitch? I've scoured this face for cross stitch and came up with none. I even had my husband look through his magnifying glass, and he could find no cross stitch!
Load More Replies...
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Anne 6 years ago
I like them, very detailed. But I am wondering how well they will hold up, especially those with little to no black ink. Red is gone at a different rate than white and greens, so you will have to keep up (wow.. that will be a very painstakingly precise task) or cover in some years. (I have lots of ink - I think the reds/pinks fade in about ten years, so all the detailed crosses will be blurs)
Aunt Messy 6 years ago
If you want your ink to last, you have to protect it from the sun. I have a full back piece and I NEVER go without sunscreen on the whole thing in the summer. Natural fading happens, but it takes a LONG time.
Load More Replies...
Bobbi Newell 6 years ago
These are interesting, and very well done. However, I think the artist went overboard on the patch-style ones by including so many loose threads on the border, and it's driving my sewing brain crazy. They look realistic enough without adding what amounts to a manufacturer's defect.
Sworlay 6 years ago
YES. Also it makes them appear rather seperate from the skin, while the idea (I guess) was to let them look like stitched onto it.
Load More Replies...
Daniel (ShadowDrakken) 6 years ago
Anyone else get annoyed at artists only showing off fresh ink though? Fresh ink isn't representative of their actual work. It needs a good month or two to really see not just the artistic skill, but the needle control too.
R.s. Potter 6 years ago
Is this what they call "cruel embroidery"? Oh... it's spelled "crewel"? Never mind, carry on.
Mewton’s Third Paw 6 years ago (edited)
I can’t imagine getting a tattoo, of any kind, ever. But, I think these are cute for the people who wear them. Skillful artistry.
DP von Icecream 6 years ago
I guess everything is through the eye of the beholder, but to me some of these tattoos can easily be mistaken for an allergic reaction towards tattoo ink.
Sheila Ames 6 years ago
Most of them look like the old fashioned 'patches' one used to buy and adhere to their clothes. I don't want something like that on my skin.
Dawn Rodriguez 6 years ago
Then don't get any of this style if you don't like it. Problem solved. True or not true?
Load More Replies... Captain Marvellous ♥️ 6 years ago
How interesting! Not something I would choose to put permanently on my skin, but these are unique <3
Anne 6 years ago
I like them, very detailed. But I am wondering how well they will hold up, especially those with little to no black ink. Red is gone at a different rate than white and greens, so you will have to keep up (wow.. that will be a very painstakingly precise task) or cover in some years. (I have lots of ink - I think the reds/pinks fade in about ten years, so all the detailed crosses will be blurs)
Aunt Messy 6 years ago
If you want your ink to last, you have to protect it from the sun. I have a full back piece and I NEVER go without sunscreen on the whole thing in the summer. Natural fading happens, but it takes a LONG time.
Load More Replies... Bobbi Newell 6 years ago
These are interesting, and very well done. However, I think the artist went overboard on the patch-style ones by including so many loose threads on the border, and it's driving my sewing brain crazy. They look realistic enough without adding what amounts to a manufacturer's defect.
Sworlay 6 years ago
YES. Also it makes them appear rather seperate from the skin, while the idea (I guess) was to let them look like stitched onto it.
Load More Replies... Daniel (ShadowDrakken) 6 years ago
Anyone else get annoyed at artists only showing off fresh ink though? Fresh ink isn't representative of their actual work. It needs a good month or two to really see not just the artistic skill, but the needle control too.
R.s. Potter 6 years ago
Is this what they call "cruel embroidery"? Oh... it's spelled "crewel"? Never mind, carry on.
Mewton’s Third Paw 6 years ago (edited)
I can’t imagine getting a tattoo, of any kind, ever. But, I think these are cute for the people who wear them. Skillful artistry.
DP von Icecream 6 years ago
I guess everything is through the eye of the beholder, but to me some of these tattoos can easily be mistaken for an allergic reaction towards tattoo ink.
Sheila Ames 6 years ago
Most of them look like the old fashioned 'patches' one used to buy and adhere to their clothes. I don't want something like that on my skin.
Dawn Rodriguez 6 years ago
Then don't get any of this style if you don't like it. Problem solved. True or not true?
Load More Replies... Captain Marvellous ♥️ 6 years ago
How interesting! Not something I would choose to put permanently on my skin, but these are unique <3
You May Like 50 AI Art Fails That Are Both Horrifying And Hilarious 91 Beautiful Spine Tattoos That Make The Pain Worth It 88 Wrist Tattoo Designs That Range From Full-On Snakes To Small Hearts
Eglė Bliabaitė
Beatričė Varnaitė
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Related on Bored Panda
