• Home
  • Blog
    • Frances Suzanne
    • Flip this Pattern
  • Flip this Pattern
    • Overview
    • Competitor Flips
    • Sew-Alongs
  • Tutorials
    • Sewing
    • Smocking
    • Free Patterns
  • Heirloom
  • Recipes
  • Contact



Jul
31

6 Comments

Hand Embroidery: Inspiration


It’s no secret that we LOVE hand embroidery!!

Embroidery Inspiration

When we stop to THINK about it, we like it in all fashions, shapes, and forms. . .

Embroidery Inspiration

From “old school” forms . . .

Embroidery Inspiration

To a more “modern approach” . . .

Embroidery Inspiration

From a LOT of embroidery . . .

Embroidery Inspiration

To just a little of it {less IS sometimes more} . . .

Embroidery Inspiration

While we have shared some”inspiration” of different embroidery forms, we wanted to give you a few more options – many that we are anxious to try.

The main thing to keep in mind is: BE CREATIVE! There are really NO RULES while incorporating hand embroidery!

You decide on the type of stitch, how many strands of floss you use, the size of the stitch, the combination of colors within stitches, and the position of those stitches. Each one of these factors determine the overall “look” of the garment.

Embroidery Inspiration

The Birthstone Dress

We have a Pinterest board, dedicated specifically for embroidery stitches, techniques, and inspiration.

While we wish we could incorporate hand work on all of our creations, we find it to be an impossible task!

Here are some embroidery ideas that are on our “sewing bucket list” . . . or ones that are just too cool NOT to share:

Starting small . . . BUTTONS!

How cute are these embroidered fruit, using some simple stitching and buttons??

Embroidery Inspiration: Buttons

Or, check out this post full of “embroidered button” inspiration – we are drooling over some of these ourselves!

Embroidery Inspiration: Buttons

And, finally, how about using buttons as sea shells . . . washed up to shore? AMAZING!

Embroidery Inspiration: Buttons

French knots: One of our STAPLES in embroidering.

Here is an “Anthropologie Knock-Off” idea, using French knots instead of beadwork.

Embroidery Inspiration: French Knots

If “French knot” inspired work interests you, HERE is a pinterest board devoted solely to just that!

Another “Anthropologie Inspired” piece might interest some of you, as you begin to think about another school year {or tuck the idea away for Valentines Day}.

All it takes is a little back-stitching, running stitch, and possibly a stem or split stitch.

Embroidery Inspiration

Many sewists like incorporating words in their creations, but again, it’s all in the manner of presentation.

Embroidery Inspiration: Reverse Appliqued Words

Working with felts and embroidery is another interesting concept!

Embroidery Inspiration: Felt

We love the bright, bold colors . . . and various stitches displayed in the small pieces of felt!

Or, what if you took a printed fabric and focused on particular piece of it . . . like THIS:

Embroidery Inspiration: Focal Point

Then, you could always dye your fabric after creating your embroidered design, as seen HERE:

Embroidery Inspiration: Dyeing

One of the first types of “handwork” we did was cross-stitch, yet never in a million years would we have thought to incorporate like these examples:

Embroidery Inspiration: Cross-Stitched Gingham

A Gingham Cross-Stitch

Embroidery Inspiration: Cross-Stitch for Boys/Men

Galactica for Boys {or men . . .}

And, as everyone knows . . . boys present more of a challenge with anything sewing related, much less handwork! Some of the best ideas {according to us} seem to be generated around a favorite movie / movie quote, a child’s interests in school {math, science, chemistry, constellations, treasure maps, subway maps, geography / travel, etc.}, or any general interests the child might have . . .

Just remember: Hand work for boys CAN BE DONE!! You just have to “get creative!”

Embroidery Inspiration: Geography

Shadow work displays well on bibs, daygowns, or collars. HERE is another site that has excellent references to collar embroidery!

Embroidery Inspiration: Shadow Work

Flowers always strike a chord with people!

And, depending on the “embroider’s decisions”, create varying looks in the process!

Embroidery Inspiration: Child's Drawing

Embroidered Flowers, based on the child’s drawing

Embroidery Inspiration: Flowers

Yumiko Higuchi flowers

THEN, WE CAN’T FORGET . . .

Sashiko is on the rise as well!! Time-consuming, but soooo effective!

Embroidery Inspiration: Sashiko

Ombre embroidery anyone??

Embroidery Inspiration: Ombre

For a little “razzle dazzle” . . . add some beads to your stitching, and voila:

Embroidery Inspiration: Beadwork

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!

Like, for instance, by using negative space embroidery to effectively convey a message.

Embroidery Inspiration: Negative Space

Also, embroidery doesn’t have to be “light and airy”.

Here are a few examples of embroidery on a coat:

Embroidery Inspiration: Wool Coat

 Embroidered Coat with Bunny

Embroidery Inspiration: Wool Coat

Embroidered Gold Coat

So, as you can see, embroidery can be used ANY WAY you can imagine – spanning the seasons, fabric types, and designs! Our only warning we give is: IT IS A TOUCH ADDICTING. . . once you start that first stitch, you might never want to stop!!



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...




Tweet


6 Comments



Inspinration
10 yearss ago


Oh wow, thanks for the inspiration!

(Reply)

Emily
10 yearss ago


OH WOW! yOU guys are amazing!! I love that dress with the words on it!! May have to try something like that this fall ;o)

(Reply)

Deb
10 yearss ago


Thanks for including the Easter coat with embroidery that I made. In the end, she never wore it because the weather turned so unusually hot she needed a sunsuit instead! The coat has gone into our ‘bin’.
Thanks for all the inspiration in this post. So many great ideas.

(Reply)

    FrancesSuzanne
    10 yearss ago


    Ohhhh, that is sooooooo sad!!! May your “bin” rescue you in times of need {like ours have} . . . one day.

    (Reply)

Lightning McStitch
10 yearss ago


I was thinking how lovely everything looked and then saw my husband! :)
Thanks for the feature and there is some serious inspiration there. So many projects I could get carried away with!

(Reply)

    FrancesSuzanne
    10 yearss ago


    We got a little lazy {and figured you / he wouldn’t mind} in our asking!! But, that post is our “go to” post when discussing embroidery for boys and/or men :).

    (Reply)


Leave a Reply









  Cancel Reply

  • Recent Comments

    • Broadway Fabrics on The Building Block Dress: Design Challenge
    • FrancesSuzanne on Sewing for Disney: Sleeping Beauty
    • designdreamer on Sewing for Disney: Sleeping Beauty
    • Lightning McStitch on Sewing for Disney: Sleeping Beauty
    • Jenny on Sewing for Disney: Sleeping Beauty
  • Subscribe Via Email

  • Find us on Facebook

  • Follow Us on Pinterest

    Unable to load Pinterest pins for 'FrancesSuzanne'
    Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins
  • Oldies, But Goodies

    <
    2021
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    ▼
    >
    Jan0 Posts
    Feb1 Post
    Mar4 Posts
    Apr6 Posts
    May0 Posts
    Jun0 Posts
    Jul0 Posts
    Aug0 Posts
    Sep0 Posts
    Oct0 Posts
    Nov0 Posts
    Dec0 Posts
    Jan9 Posts
    Feb7 Posts
    Mar7 Posts
    Apr3 Posts
    May1 Post
    Jun1 Post
    Jul1 Post
    Aug0 Posts
    Sep5 Posts
    Oct0 Posts
    Nov1 Post
    Dec0 Posts
    Jan0 Posts
    Feb0 Posts
    Mar0 Posts
    Apr0 Posts
    May2 Posts
    Jun12 Posts
    Jul12 Posts
    Aug1 Post
    Sep6 Posts
    Oct3 Posts
    Nov1 Post
    Dec11 Posts
    Jan0 Posts
    Feb1 Post
    Mar0 Posts
    Apr4 Posts
    May7 Posts
    Jun5 Posts
    Jul0 Posts
    Aug0 Posts
    Sep0 Posts
    Oct0 Posts
    Nov0 Posts
    Dec0 Posts
    Jan3 Posts
    Feb4 Posts
    Mar5 Posts
    Apr3 Posts
    May2 Posts
    Jun4 Posts
    Jul0 Posts
    Aug1 Post
    Sep2 Posts
    Oct1 Post
    Nov0 Posts
    Dec0 Posts
    Jan1 Post
    Feb2 Posts
    Mar2 Posts
    Apr0 Posts
    May4 Posts
    Jun9 Posts
    Jul8 Posts
    Aug10 Posts
    Sep5 Posts
    Oct2 Posts
    Nov3 Posts
    Dec3 Posts
    Jan6 Posts
    Feb16 Posts
    Mar13 Posts
    Apr15 Posts
    May5 Posts
    Jun8 Posts
    Jul11 Posts
    Aug2 Posts
    Sep1 Post
    Oct2 Posts
    Nov5 Posts
    Dec5 Posts
    Jan18 Posts
    Feb12 Posts
    Mar13 Posts
    Apr16 Posts
    May12 Posts
    Jun17 Posts
    Jul18 Posts
    Aug16 Posts
    Sep21 Posts
    Oct15 Posts
    Nov10 Posts
    Dec6 Posts
    Jan9 Posts
    Feb6 Posts
    Mar6 Posts
    Apr6 Posts
    May11 Posts
    Jun17 Posts
    Jul19 Posts
    Aug14 Posts
    Sep18 Posts
    Oct10 Posts
    Nov16 Posts
    Dec17 Posts
    Jan0 Posts
    Feb0 Posts
    Mar0 Posts
    Apr0 Posts
    May0 Posts
    Jun9 Posts
    Jul8 Posts
    Aug5 Posts
    Sep5 Posts
    Oct11 Posts
    Nov5 Posts
    Dec10 Posts


    • About Us

      PeekABooAboutUs

      Hi everyone! We are two sisters who lovingly sew for our youngest sister’s children. We are so glad you are here and invite you to join our many sewing adventures! It would be an absolute honor to call you our friend!

    • Follow Us on IG

      No images found!
      Try some other hashtag or username
    • Recent Posts

      • An Oliver + S, Carousel Dress for the Oldest

        An Oliver + S, Carousel Dress for the Oldest

        April 22, 2021
      • A Carousel in the Zoo

        A Carousel in the Zoo

        April 19, 2021
      • And then there were more: Oliver + S, Playtime Tunics for a Tween

        And then there were more: Oliver + S, Playtime Tunics for a Tween

        April 15, 2021
      • Knit Playtimes for the Win!

        Knit Playtimes for the Win!

        April 12, 2021
    • Need Inspiration? Help?

      Unable to load Pinterest pins for 'FrancesSuzanne'
      Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins

    Copyright © 2012 Nemesis Theme. Powered by Wordpress.
    Wordpress theme by Peerapong
    All images are copyrighted to their respective owners.