#Free crewel embroidery patterns how to#

If you believe that you’re incapable of drawing your own patterns because you’re not an “artist,” I think you’d be surprised! If you can doodle, you can make up your own pattern.Įmbroidery patterns for me come about primarily as a result of doodling in a sketchbook (or sometimes, even on a paper napkin when sitting at the table). What Does it Take to Draw an Embroidery Pattern? Instead, I’m going to talk about my own process, point you in the right direction for the tools you’ll need, and share some tips on what you really need to learn if you want to create vectors and things to avoid if you want to be efficient about it. I’m not going to take you step-by-step through creating vector images from drawings. If you’re not computer inclined, or you have no desire to mess with the learning curve involved in graphics programs, then don’t sweat it! Use pencil, paper, and pen.īut if you want to create a printable, scalable, smooth drawing to use as a pattern – maybe you want to sell your patterns or include them in kits or what-have-you – then it’s helpful to produce what’s called a vector image from your drawing. A good fine-tipped artist’s pen for the final line drawing will give you a decent image to transfer. In fact, I think you can get much more creative in planning a design from absolute scratch, using a pencil and perhaps some watercolors or colored pencils. A design that you’ve drawn with pencil on a piece of a paper works just fine! If you’re drawing your own patterns for your own embroidery, you certainly do not have to go all-out technical in the production of them. We’ll look at what you need to know to create a line drawing that’s smooth, scalable, and prints a clear, precise line drawing suitable for an embroidery pattern. So, today, let’s chat about a technical topic that’s somewhat related to embroidery, even though it doesn’t have to do with the actual Stitching of Things.

#Free crewel embroidery patterns how to#

The question of how to make embroidery patterns isn’t usually directed to the drawing or doodling part that’s done with a pencil, but rather how to take a sketch, painting, photo, or doodle and transform it into a clean line drawing that can be enlarged or reduced in size, printed, and used as a pattern for stitching. Often today, crewel work designers will incorporate silk threads, cottons, and blends in their crewel designs.Over the years, I’ve had many, many queries about how to make hand embroidery patterns. In crewel work today, we see a variation from traditional crewel in the addition of other types of threads being integrated (or even replacing altogether) the traditionally used wool. Today, crewel work is enjoying another revival in popularity, as the plethora of new books devoted to crewel work attests. In the 1970’s, it enjoyed great popularity. Off and on, crewel work has resurfaced in popularity.

Crewel work, however, should not be confused with “Jacobean embroidery.” Jacobean is a style of design and can be worked in any medium, while crewel work is specifically embroidery worked in wool. Crewel work has a rich history, stretching at least as far back as the early Medieval period, with one of the most extant historical examples being the Bayeux Tapestry.Ĭrewel work enjoyed popularity in the Jacobean area, with elaborate designs of stylized flowers, birds, and beasts being worked in wool on household goods and even clothing. In the historical sense, crewel embroidery is simply embroidery done with wool threads. Types of Hand Embroidery on Needle ‘n Thread Crewel Embroidery