Interested in embroidery but need somewhere to start? You may have some prior knowledge of embroidery stitches and are ready to take on more complex patterns. Look no further because we have you covered. We have compiled an array of free embroidery designs and embroidery patterns that might pique your interest with only a very simple few tools needed. With just a needle and various embroidery threads in several color choices, you’ll definitely immerse yourself in this wonderful hobby. Grab your tools and a cup of warm coffee, and sit back and relax as we introduce you to 55 free embroidery patterns and designs to choose from.
Did you know? Hand embroidery is an age-old art that dates back thousands of years in many cultures, as it was a sign of wealth and fortune. In the old days, royalty would wear embroidered garments to display their financial status and power. As time flew, embroidery was integrated with technology, and people would use machinery to craft different embroidery patterns on a piece of fabric to vamp up their look. However, embroidery today also acts as a simple crafting hobby, a gift to your loved ones, and a way to spice up the decor in your home.
Although it may sound complex, fret not! Embroidery is as easy as it gets. With a few tutorials and step-by-step instructions, you too, can learn to implement many embroidery stitches into your design! Some of these stitches range from straight stitching, running stitching, split stitching, and many more!
So, if you’re wondering, “Where do I start?” or “How to embroider?” here is a list of FAQs to get you all set and ready to go! But, if you already have the hang of it and want to get inspired by various free embroidery designs, look no further and dive into the 55 curated lists of embroidery designs and patterns below!
FAQs On How To Embroider
1. What materials do I need for hand embroidery?
Usually, you can find pre-packed embroidery sets in the store that include everything you need. However, if they are unavailable, you can find these items instead! For hand embroidery, these essential tools include:
– Embroidery hoops
– Embroidery needles
– Embroidery floss or thread
– Clean fabric with no patterns
– A design in mind
These tools are inexpensive and can be easily acquired in your local crafting stores or online. Additionally, if you would like to prep yourself with more supplies, you could opt for embroidery scissors, fabric markers, and stabilizers. However, these supplies vary depending on the specific embroidery patterns you require.
2. What fabric suits best for embroidery?
The simple answer would be:
– Cotton
– Linen
These fabric options are seamless and provide beginner-level embroidery skills as the fabric offers a tight weave, providing a stable base for your stitches. If you are intermediate or advanced at embroidery, you could also experiment with denim or felt fabric instead!
3. How do I use an embroidery hoop?
The purpose of an embroidery hoop is to help stabilize your stitchings. It consists of two round frames, one bigger than the other to use it. These hoops go hand in hand as they keep the fabric tight. To use it, simply take apart the two hoops, place your desired fabric on the smaller hoop, and push the larger hoop over it. Then, twist the screw at the top of the larger hoop to secure your fabric into place.
4. How do I transfer a design I want onto the fabric before embroidering?
You can find these items at home if you are new to embroidery! All you will need is a pencil and an eraser. However, sometimes, you need to correct your embroidery patterns and want to change your pattern design. So, these are the tools we would recommend:
– Water-soluble fabric markers
– Transfer paper
With these tools, your pattern would easily transfer onto your fabric.
5. Are embroidery flosses different from regular threads?
Yes, they are! Embroidery floss is a thread that is put together with multiple strands that you can separate, and it is thicker than your usual sewing threads. Embroidery floss also comes in various colors, thicknesses, and textures to fit the fabric that you are using.
6. What type of embroidery needle do I need?
Embroidery needles vary in many ways. In other words, depending on the type of embroidery you are going for, that specific needle would suit your needs. Typically, beginners would opt for basic embroidery needles that come in different sizes. They have a pointy tip with a middle-sized hole, which makes it easy for all-round embroidery on different fabrics. But, if you are interested in learning more about the various needles embroidery has to offer, here is a list of embroidery needles used for various embroidery styles:
– Crewel Needles
– Tapestry Needles
– Chenille Needles
– Milliner’s Needles
– Ballpoint Needles
– Beading Needles
– Quilting Needles
– Sashiko Needles
7. What are the basic hand embroidery stitches?
Here are some of the basic hand embroidery stitches that beginners and seasoned embroiderers often use:
– Running Stitch
– Backstitch
– Split Stitch
– Stem Stitch
– French Knot
– Satin Stitch
– Chain Stitch
– Lazy Daisy Stitch
– Blanket Stitch
– Feather Stitch
Check out our 33 Useful Embroidery Stitches, for more. These stitches form the foundation of hand embroidery and can be mixed and matched or modified to create a wide range of patterns and textures.
What’s Next:
- Pick up your tools and begin your embroidery projects! Don’t forget to showcase your completed work on Facebook and Instagram, and tag us @craftpassion.
- Pin this onto your Pinterest for later.
- Share your embroidery ideas and projects with the community to gush over your beautiful handmade crafts!
- Try out different embroidery styles and other crafts to gear up your talent. Have a look at our Beginner’s Guide to Cross Stitch, How to Hand Sew – Beginner’s Guide, and Sewing Patterns & Tutorials.
55 Beautiful and Free Embroidery Patterns
Let’s get straight into the embroidery patterns! We have accumulated a bunch of designs for you to select from, ranging from beginner, intermediary, and advanced. Let’s have a look.
Heart Flower Embroidery
Check out this beautiful handmade heart-flower embroidery pattern made with colorful and vibrant threads! The stitchings are very beginner-friendly and the design is so cute. This heart-shaped embroidery is perfect as a gift to your loved ones and to your friends.
Skill Level: Easy
I Love Us Floral Embroidery Pattern
Try out this simple floral embroidery design that is perfect for spring. The instructions are easy to follow and you can also practice embroidering words!
Skill Level: Easy
Botanical Ferns Embroidery
Here is a botanical embroidery design that only requires three green-colored flosses. It also has only three types of embroidery stitches so it is simple to follow.
Skill Level: Easy
Anchor Flowers with Love Embroidery
This is a cute mason jar flower embroidery pattern with cute pastel colors that are vibrant and will definitely spice up your home. If you’re thinking of gifting someone flowers, this is perfect because it lasts forever!
Skill Level: Easy
Cats In Sweater Embroidery
If you’re a cat lover, this design literally calls your name. Cats in sweaters! What could go wrong with cute little cats in tiny sweaters? They’re so adorable. Although the website is in French, the PDF document is translated into English. Check out their website to gain free access to more embroidery patterns.
Skill Level: Easy
Blooming Books Embroidery
Want to challenge yourself with something different? Try embroidering this elegant blooming book with a variety of colored floss. All you need to do to access the PDF is to sign up to their webpage and the pattern will be emailed to you. Or, you could watch the video for a step-by-step tutorial.
Skill Level: Easy
House Plant Botanical Embroidery
Looking for inspiration around your home? Perhaps you could try to embroider your house plants. Although this design looks complicated, it is simply made of small sections to fill, and it’s quite creative.
Skill Level: Easy
Cozy Plant Corner Embroidery
Here is another idea if you’re looking for inspiration at home. This minimalist design is trendy and will never go out of style. Check out their website for more free embroidery patterns!
Skill Level: Easy
Femme-broidery Branch
With just three colors and three types of embroidery stitches, you can achieve this pattern with ease. This branch embroidery goes well with home decor items such as pillow covers, tapestries, or just as it is. Your friends will definitely be impressed with this edgy embroidery idea.
Skill Level: Easy
Fall Bloom Embroidery
If you’re looking for a pop of color, this design is PERFECT for the fall season. Just replicate the design three times in a loop to fill up every corner of your fabric. So chic!
Skill Level: Easy
Daisies Embroidery
Makenstitch has some of the best free embroidery patterns. This design is like a burst of sunshine stitched onto fabric. It’s warm and vibrant, and it could turn any dull day into a lively meadow party. It’s giving suns out buns out!
Skill Level: Easy
Strawberry Embroidery
Turn your fabric into a berry-licious picnic, one thread at a time, with this lovely strawberry embroidery pattern. Don’t just eat it, craft it!
Skill Level: Easy
Chamomile Wildflowers Embroidery
Turn your home into a calm soothing escape by following this step-by-step tutorial to create your very own bouquet embroidery. Although it is simple, its a total classic. Nothing could go wrong with a little touch of flora in your space.
Skill Level: Easy
Cat With Flowers Embroidery
Another timeless embroidery piece for all the cat lovers out there because what’s better than crafting and cats! Here’s a little tip to personalise it even more. If you have a cat at home or know of a cute little furry feline, embroider its fur's colors and patterns into this fun project!
Skill Level: Easy
Floral Heart Wedding Ring Holder Embroidery
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and this romantic free embroidery design is exactly what you need for the special occasion. This lovely gift will definitely steal your partner’s heart and sweep them off their feet.
Skill Level: Easy
“Enough” Embroidery
Feeling low and in need of some self-affirmations? We’ve all been there, and you are not alone. Try out this embroidery pattern that constantly reminds you of your inner strength and that you will always be enough.
Skill Level: Easy
Bicycle Embroidery
This cute bicycle design is very simple and easy to do. It only focuses on line work and only requires five colors! Have a look at this artist’s free embroidery patterns to choose from.
Skill Level: Easy
Black Cat Embroidery
Black cats are seriously underrated and misunderstood! They are the cutest fluff balls and behave exactly like a ginger cat would. They’re adventurous, cheeky, and sometimes, a little clumsy. Try out this black cat embroidery pattern to appreciate all the black cats in the world.
Skill Level: Easy
By The Sea Embroidery
Check out this adorable seaside embroidery pattern that is easy to manage and it's so personalized too! The touch of jewels just brings out the sparkles of the ocean. Lovecrafts offers one of the best free embroidery patterns for you to select from!
Skill Level: Easy
October Embroidery
Want inspiration for the fall season? Or you just love pumpkins? This October pumpkin-themed hand embroidery makes you feel the cozy vibes of fall into your stitches. And! It’s so aesthetically pleasing.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Hot Air Balloon Embroidery
Check out these whimsical hot air balloon embroidery patterns. It’s so dreamy, with clouds surrounding the colorful balloons. Grab your friends and try out this design together to fall into a daydream in the fluffy clouds.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Flower Burst Embroidery
Here is one of our favorites. It is a bold embroidery pattern that looks like floral fireworks on fabric.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Floral Bat Embroidery
Try out this spooky design for the fall season or if you love Halloween as much as we do. This design is edgy, sleek, and it’s cool! This will definitely leave your grandma impressed with your embroidery skills.
Skill Level: Intermediate
French Knot Flower Bouquet Embroidery
We just love this one so much! It reminds us of a field of lavenders, the colors are so vibrant and, the blue compliments the purple so well.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Blue Wild Flowers Embroidery
Here is a blue wildflower embroidery that reminds us so much of blue porcelain plates. This splash of color is calming to the eyes, and the best part is they’re a bed of roses!
Skill Level: Intermediate
OIA Embroidery
We are dying for you to try out this bohemian design. It looks exactly like Santorini and the pastel colors go hand in hand with the landscaping as well. Check out Anchorcrafts free embroidery patterns to spice up your embroidery path.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Toucan Embroidery
Have a look at this cute and easy toucan embroidery. This cute pattern design is incorporated with mini flowers on a branch that pulls together seamlessly.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Bouquet Of Pansies Embroidery
This bouquet of pansies is so well made. The pattern in itself looks so polished and velvety because of how detailed it is! With just a blend of complimentary colors on the petals is enough to make it look realistic.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Zesty Citrus Embroidery
This juicy lemon embroidery has a place in my heart. If you have recently seen the movie “Saltburn”, this embroidery piece reminds us so much of the aesthetics of the film. It makes you feel warm, sunny, and summery on the inside.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Thistle Needlework Embroidery
Want to challenge yourself with different embroidery patterns? Try this one out for taste. It offers different textures and patterns to your fabric.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Winter A-Frame Cabin Embroidery
Looking for something more festive? Have a look at this cabin embroidery design. The intricate details of it just scream cabin fever. Imagine having a hot cocoa by the fireplace and embroidering this design. A must-have!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Butterfly Garden Embroidery
Did you know? In many cultures around the world, butterflies are a symbol of change, transformation, and renewal. Pretty cool, right?
Skill Level: Intermediate
Constellation Embroidery
Here is an embroidery pattern that only requires five colored flosses to create this beautiful design. It reminds us so much of the movie “Tangled”. This is perfect as your home decor or as a gift to your friends.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Lavender Embroidery
Instead of a basket of roses, try out this basket of lavender embroidery design. Not only does lavender smell comforting and fresh, this design will surely send your mind into an instant relaxation mode. If you are looking for more designs to browse, feel free to check out the website’s free embroidery patterns.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cosmos Bouquet Embroidery
Looking to gift your loved ones with fresh flowers? Try this flower bouquet embroidery out instead as it literally lasts forever. This design piece is so romantic and the pop of colors are to die for!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Mystical Rose Snake Embroidery
Challenge yourself with this mystical rose snake pattern. It’s not your conventional snake design because this specific one has a blend of colors in it. It would look very cute on a T-shirt.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Bright Bouquet Embroidery
DMC offers a bunch of free embroidery patterns to choose from. Follow this step-by-step bouquet design to create this gorgeous look on your fabric of choice.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cherries Embroidery
Here is an effortless pattern that can help you to improve your stitching methods. It focusses on one simplistic design to guide you on the detailing of the pattern.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Dragonfly Embroidery
Instead of embroidering your favorite butterfly design, try out this dragonfly pattern that is just so chic! The floss colors blend so seamlessly well with each other, and pink dragonflies are seriously underrated.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Hedgehog Embroidery
This pattern is too cute to not include. Look at this friendly hedgehog design that it too irresistible. You have to try it out!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Toadstool Embroidery
Check out this amazing frog embroidery pattern that is mostly made from French knot stitchings. The different textures in this design give your embroidery much more flare, with mushrooms emerging from its back.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Rue Galande Embroidery
If you’ve made it this far, let’s get into the real deal of embroidery. Have a look at this intricate piece of Notre Dame. This design is so detailed, with small sections pieced together to form this magnificent landscape design. Simply sign up for their newsletter to gain access to many free embroidery patterns that will be emailed to you!
Skill Level: Advanced
Tricoloured Jewel Beetle Embroidery
This design is one of our personal favorites. The colors are so vibrant, and the pattern reminds us of textured glass.
Skill Level: Advanced
Porto Houses Embroidery
This breathtaking embroidery piece is inspired by a bohemian city. Though this design incorporates embroidery painting, it is optional for you. Remember, embroidering is all about personalization and creativity!
Skill Level: Advanced
Heart Flower Embroidery
Looking for a challenge but still want to create something in your comfort zone? Try this design out for measure! Although it is a simple heart filled with flowers, it is very detailed, with tiny sections filling up the entire heart.
Skill Level: Advanced
Colosseum Embroidery
Here’s a design that uses both linework and stitches to embroider this lovely architecture. Try out this landscape design with neutral tones.
Skill Level: Advanced
Figs Embroidery
Want a touch of Mediterranean sweetness on your embroidery design? Check out this fabulous fig embroidery pattern that makes us so hungry even just by looking at it.
Skill Level: Advanced
Mojito Embroidery
Craving a refreshing cocktail during the summer heat? This mojito embroidery simply quenches your thirst and, it looks oh so delicious.
Skill Level: Advanced
Cafe Embroidery
This cafe embroidery is so calming. It is like capturing the cozy ambiance of the cafe and stitching it onto your choice of fabric. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and try out this free embroidery pattern.
Skill Level: Advanced
Great Outdoors Embroidery
One of the best inspirations for any form of craft is always the great outdoors. The beauty of nature will never go out of trend, and it always leaves a great impression.
Skill Level: Advanced
Beach Embroidery
Here is a lovely beach day inspiration for your project. This design is so tranquil and comforting, with warm tones filling up the entire embroidery hoop.
Skill Level: Advanced
Decorative Vase Embroidery
Check out this gorgeous vase of flowers embroidery pattern. This design would be perfect as a house decor to brighten up your space. What’s more, is that you can admire your work everyday! If you’re looking for more variations to bouquet embroideries that are advanced, try out the website linked in the picture to gain access to more free embroidery patterns.
Skill Level: Advanced
Summer Embroidery
Have a look at this cute farm life embroidery pattern. There are so many variations, textures, and stitching patterns in this embroidery project. It feels like a storybook!
Skill Level: Advanced
Grapes Embroidery
Want to weave vineyard essence onto your fabric? Try out this lovely and juicy grape embroidery pattern.
Skill Level: Advanced
Cowboy Hat Embroidery
We can’t get enough of the cute little snake on the cowboy hat embroidery. Integrate a Wild West flare onto your embroidery project to feel like a true cowboy.
Skill Level: Advanced