From complete beginners to experienced stitchers, finding the perfect pattern is often the most exciting part of starting a new embroidery project.
I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to help you discover patterns from both traditional and digital sources.
Embroidery books
As you can imagine, there are endless embroidery books.
You can find vintage books with yellowed pages and historically accurate patterns to the most recent (and odd to me) phenomenon of stitching swear words and crude sayings onto wall hangings.🤷♀️
There are dozens of embroidery styles and regional/cultural traditions; you can buy a book for every type.
You might want to consider purchasing an embroidery encyclopedia or stitch encyclopedia. That was my first instinct – I really love any excuse to buy a new book.
But I’ve always struggled to learn craft skills through the written word or 2D diagrams. This is one reason we started Textile Indie in the first place – to provide video instruction for visual learners.
Sure enough, deciphering stitch guides in written form is nearly impossible for me. I much prefer to find a good video tutorial on YouTube.
Here are a few of my favorite embroidery teachers for their stitch libraries:
However, if you learn quickly from diagrams and words and want the convenience of a stitch encyclopedia, I highly recommend:
DK Embroidery Stitches Step-by-Step
Here are a few of my favorite online stitch libraries:
Stitch Dictionary by PinTangle
Hand Embroidery Stitch Library A – Z by Practical Embroidery
Stitch Picture Dictionary by Sarah’s Hand Embroidery Tutorials
I did end up purchasing a few embroidery books (of course).
By previewing many from the library (see my budget tip below), I narrowed it down to a handful I want to own.
One book I purchased because I love, love, love iron-on patterns in an embroidery book, and this Mandala book spoke to me:
Mandalas to Embroider – Kaleidoscope Stitching in a Hoop
Budget tip:
Check your local library’s craft section.
Libraries carry classic and contemporary embroidery books, allowing you to explore different styles without commitment.
Additionally, second-hand bookstores are a great source for craft books.
I started by ordering every embroidery library book I could find. We belong to four library systems, so I’m talking a lot of books!
Sitting by the fire and perusing a wide variety of styles and embroidery techniques was like a crash course in the world of embroidery.
Magazines
Love Embroidery Magazine
Love Embroidery is published 13 times a year in the UK and is available for print subscription worldwide.
You can also purchase back issues in print or as digital downloads.
Every issue includes over a dozen full-tutorial patterns for a range of stitching skill levels, from beginner to expert.
In addition, each issue includes a little gift. The image below shows a Christmas jumper felt kit included in the current issue.
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Stitch Magazine
Stitch is a monthly magazine published by the Embroiders’ Guild.
It’s also UK-based, but subscriptions are available worldwide.
Stitch is dedicated to traditional embroidery techniques. I would say this is more of an intermediate to advanced stitchers magazine.
The current issue includes a beautiful Stumpwork wreath, painted thread projects that look lifelike, crewel work, and an article about textile conservation.
The word keepsake comes up a lot.
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Homespun Magazine
Homespun magazine covers sewing, quilting, knitting crochet…pretty much all needlework,…including embroidery.
If you are a dabbler, this might be your magazine.
The style is, well, Homespun.
You will love this magazine if you are into patchwork, the grand-millennial style, or scrappy-type projects.
There are also a lot of graphic, even contemporary, projects to choose from.
Learn more about Homespun here.
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Inspirations Magazine
An Australian publication covering smocking and embroidery.
I would say this is a magazine geared toward the serious stitcher.
If I say goldwork, Hedebo, reticella, Schwalm, needlelace, and cutwork, and you’re still following me – this is your magazine.
Each issue is packed with 8 or so heirloom-quality projects.
If I made one of these beautiful pieces for a family member and they sent it to the Goodwill (thrift shop), I would have to disown them!
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My two cents:
If I had to pick one subscription, I would go for Homespun. I quilt, and others in my family would enjoy knitting and crocheting. The projects are accessible and challenging.
My second pick would be Stitch. The projects are a stretch for my skill and patience level, but I am interested in branching out beyond basic embroidery projects.
Love Embroidery is perfect for stitchers at all levels, especially if you like making “crafts.” This means you enjoy making stuff that you find cute or satisfying. You don’t need a big existential reason or functional use for the project.
As for Inspirations Magazine – theoretically, I would like to be the type of person who meticulously crafts a beaded beetle worthy of a museum.
But I’m not.
Inspirations is the perfect magazine for the dedicated stitcher and textile artist.
Thread manufacturer websites
DMC
DMC offers one of the industry’s most extensive free pattern libraries through its website.
Around 1800 embroidery, cross-stitch, and tapestry patterns are listed.
By signing up for the DMC newsletter you can download most (all?) of the digital patterns for free.
Most patterns can be ordered as a $10-$20 kit.
Patterns can be sorted by craft technique and skill level. But you’ll have to scroll through many pages to find a specific theme.
I’ve looked at 1000’s of embroidery patterns this year, and still, I found a bunch on DMC that are really unique. I’ll list a few here:
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Celebration (this is a color work modern art blob pattern, and I mean that in a good way).
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There’s a selection of embroidery motif embroidery patterns that can’t help but appeal to stitchers. I’m going to add the thread bobbin to the front of a felt needle book.
Etsy
Etsy sellers offer unique, often hand-drawn patterns with detailed instructions and color guides. Etsy is probably the biggest source of excellent pattern downloads.
Things might get out of hand once you start searching for patterns on Etsy! That’s what happened to my WIP (works in progress) pile anyway.
I’ll share a few of my favorite shops, but embroidery patterns are so personal. Start searching for themes, motifs, and topics you love, and Etsy will fill in the blanks by suggesting more shops you might like.
It’s all Beatrice’s fault really. I was decorating our Airbnb rental in a library-bookish theme and searching Etsy for every book-centric art print I could find.
I was minding my business when Etsy decided I might want to branch out and embroider some book art.
Well, yes, Etsy, I do want to take up a new hobby that’s going to take over my life. Thank you.
EmBeaRoidery started it all with the book lover patterns. She specializes in seasonal, fun, lively patterns. And I’ve been super happy with the download guides.
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Fileuse de Toiles designed the nativity pattern I stitched for our Vlogmas series. I love Estelle’s outline style. If you are Catholic, you’ll definitely want to look at her pattern. I’m not (Catholic), and I don’t know what a litany or Scapular is, but I do know they’re gorgeous! Also, fabulous instructions are written in English and French.
Daisy Poppy Rose is the source for the tiny botanical flower pattern we used to make the Vlogmas pendant video.
Pin Cushion Embroidery by Jeanine is one of Brittany’s favorite flower pattern sources.
I could go on, but once you start perusing Etsy for embroidery patterns, you will never run out of ideas.
I will list one more source in the sampler section below. Samplers are a topic of their own.
Features to look for in downloadable patterns:
- PDF downloads
- Stitch guides
- Thread color recommendations
- Skill level indicators
Bloggers
The Mindful Mantra Embroidery
Sophie shares a ton of helpful embroidery advice.
Stitching on the Go – How to Embroider Whilst You Travel
How to Create Texture in Hand Embroidery
Elara Embroidery
Alex has many how-to posts, but I love this blog’s articles on fashion, art, and advanced embroidery techniques.
Sargent and Fashion Exhibition
Marveling at Parisian Couture Embroidery
Cutesy Crafts
Another favorite for all the fun, colorful patterns.
Embroidered Christmas Ornament Bicycle
45+ Free Hand Embroidery Patterns
One embroidery blog will lead to another. Most offer free and paid patterns.
Another great source to start with is our post:
9 Free Embroidery Patterns to Keep You Busy All Winter
Draw unique designs
Don’t forget, a great source of embroidery design is you.
You can draw unique, custom embroidery patterns.
Canva
Canva has become a go-to tool for creating custom embroidery patterns, offering crafters both free and premium options.
To get started, create a free Canva account.
Choose the “Custom Size” icon and plug in your desired size.
I usually select the 8 x 11-inch option to print the sheet on the printer.
Some types of content to look for on Canva.
Design Ideas:
Typography and quotes
Simple line drawings
Geometric patterns
Floral designs
Modern motifs
While Canva Pro offers additional features, the free version provides ample tools for creating beautiful embroidery patterns.
Canva offers a free account to teachers.
Coloring books
Coloring books offer an excellent source of embroidery inspiration.
The recent surge in adult coloring books has created a treasure trove of potential patterns for embroidery.
Types of coloring book designs that convert well to embroidery:
- Stand-alone creatures and characters
- Floral motifs
- Geometric patterns
- Mandala designs
- Nature scenes
- Clear defined lines
How to convert coloring pages:
- Choose a design that matches your skill level
- Scan or photocopy the page
- Resize if needed
Transfer to fabric using your preferred method.
Related post:
Choosing the Right Embroidery Transfer Method
Bonus Tip:
Many textile artists find Millie Marotta’s designs particularly suitable for embroidery as they feature adaptable patterns to needlework.
Find all Millie Marotta coloring books on Amazon.
Coloring books provide an affordable way to access countless design possibilities while supporting the artists who create these intricate patterns.
Remember, coloring books are intellectual property. See the usage considerations at the end of this post.
Stores
Local craft, fiber, and fabric stores often stock patterns, books, and kits.
Embroidery samplers
Free sampler
When I started embroidery, this sampler caught my eye, and it’s been so much fun to work on.
Start here with the first post and follow along.
You will have to do some research on your own. There are stitch, color, and video suggestions, but this is a free pattern, not a full-service course.
The suggested threads are from the Weeks Dye Works floss line; they’re beautiful but unnecessary.
You can see I opted for a range of rainbow colors from my stash of unmarked floss.
Paid sampler
Embroidery Art by Nat on Etsy
I am a completist.
This means I love a list of things to tackle in a category.
That could be visiting every coffee shop in my hometown, seeing every Shakespeare play live, or, in this case, learning every embroidery stitch.
So, as soon as I realized embroidery sampler books are a THING, that project went on my list.
There are many sampler book patterns, but I fell in love with Embroidery by Nat.
Slowly but surely, I’m completing it.
My favorite way to work on the book is to work on the stitch I need for my current project.
For instance, I worked all the French knots in the sampler before doing the French knots in my nativity.
Next, I learned the chain stitch before outlining the Canva-sourced Hippopotamus I’m making for my grandchild’s playroom.
And so on.
The sampler will take me years to finish, which I think is the point. But by working this way, I build a strong muscle memory for each stitch and gain consistency.
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Color palette generators
Let’s say you design your pattern, choose an image from a coloring book, or use free clip art.
Those sources don’t come with color guides or suggestions. It can be tricky to look at the hundreds of floss shades and decide precisely the shade of green, blue, pink, and yellow you need for your project.
Several wonderful (free) tools are available to help you with that task.
All three of these tools work the same way. You upload an image, and the tool generates a color palette with HEX codes (computer language for colors.)
You can use an image of your own, one you find online, or an inspirational image inside the color generator tool.
You can also start with one color and have the generator create a palette based on color theory. Monochromatic, complementary, tertiary, etc.
These color tools are a little bit addictive!
At this point, you can eyeball the match from screen to floss.
Or, look at threadcolors.com for a list of Floss colors correlated to HEX and RGB numbers.
{technical note – you can google ‘rgb for #590212’ or whatever HEX code you want and convert}
I haven’t found a free tool that quickly takes a HEX code and serves up the DMC floss number. If you know of one, please share.
Canva, Coolers, and Adobe Color are free to use, so I suggest you try them all and pick the one that floats your boat.
I have attached a screenshot below to get an idea of the output from each tool.
Canva
Coolers
Adobe Color
Pinterest search
Another method I use with great success is Pinterest.
Search for DMC palettes.
For instance, I might search “DMC palette for fall leaves.”
Pinterest will return a plethora of examples of DMC numbered floss along with a gorgeous image of fall leaves.
And, voila, you have your customized palette.
This is the most straightforward option if you can find the photo theme you need on Pinterest with DMC numbers attached.
Paid option
For embroidery designers who want to create a lot of customized color palettes, you will want to look into:
I have not used this tool personally, but it looks fantastic.
Do be sure to pop over and look at her Explore page for palette inspiration.
Tips for selecting embroidery patterns
How to determine a quality pattern
A high-quality embroidery pattern should provide clear stitch indicators and comprehensive instructions.
The design should have precise line work that can easily transfer to fabric.
Look for patterns with specific thread color recommendations and stitch type suggestions for different elements.
Look for patterns with:
- Clear stitch indicators
- Precise line work
- Comprehensive instructions
- Color recommendations
Understanding skill level
If you’re new to embroidery, start with simpler patterns using basic stitches.
While the design doesn’t need to be basic, choosing straightforward stitch techniques will help you build confidence and achieve better results.
Consider:
- Stitch variety
- Pattern complexity
- Time investment
- Required techniques
Copyright considerations
Most embroidery patterns are intellectual property protected by a copyright.
Copyright protection automatically applies to original creative works, including embroidery patterns, from the moment they’re created.
This protection extends well beyond the initial purchase or download of a pattern.
When you purchase or download a pattern, you typically acquire a license for personal use rather than ownership of the design itself.
This applies to patterns from all sources, including traditional craft stores, online marketplaces, and digital downloads.
The original designer retains the intellectual property rights, regardless of whether you paid for the pattern or obtained it for free.
Usage rights and limitations
Personal use typically means you can:
- Stitch the pattern for yourself
- Create a piece as a personal gift
- Make modifications for your own use
However, you cannot:
- Sell items made from the pattern without permission
- Post the complete pattern instructions online
Digital pattern etiquette
In our digital age, handling PDF patterns and online downloads responsibly is particularly important.
Sharing pattern files through social media, email, or crafting groups violates the designer’s copyright, even if you purchased the original.
Instead, direct interested crafters to the original source to purchase their own copy.
