Free Embroidery Patterns around the Web
Free needlework patterns abound on the Internet - from counted cross stitch to general surface embroidery, stumpwork, and whatnot. Designers, stitch magazines, and embroidery enthusiasts are generous to give the rest of us a sample of their work or designs they've come by. Remember that usually there are copyrights involved - most designs are meant for personal use, not for reproduction for profit. Here's a list of some sites that I came across in my favorites as I was "cleaning house" on my computer this morning.
I've included descriptions of what you'll find on the site, but haven't organized the links in any particular fashion.
Be sure to sign up for either e-mail or RSS feedreader notification, if you want to be notified when these pages are updated! You'll find the sign-up box in the left column!
I've included descriptions of what you'll find on the site, but haven't organized the links in any particular fashion.
Be sure to sign up for either e-mail or RSS feedreader notification, if you want to be notified when these pages are updated! You'll find the sign-up box in the left column!
- 14th Century German Counted Thread Designs:
Similar to the designs above - mostly medieval counted thread designs - heraldry and more. They're pretty much the same as the above, but not as clear. - Heritage Shoppe:
An embroidery primer, with patterns. PDF files. You'll find lots of educational resources on this site. - Netting Designs:
Granted, this isn't exactly embroidery. But if you like netting, doilies, and whatnot, this is a great site. Embroidered netting, like filet guipure, depends upon notted net ground. - Caron Collection:
charts and such for work on even weave, using the threads from Caron Collection. Of course, they can be adapted to suit whatever threads you have, but they are really pretty in the overdyed stuff from Caron Collection. - Windflower Embroidery:
Here, you'll find some exquisite designs for small but beautiful stumpwork projects. If you're interested in trying stumpwork, but don't want to take on anything too big, these projects are great! The instructions are detailed and clear. - Classic Stitches:
The online version of the magazine Classic Stitches offers a heap of nice patterns for "club members" - club membership is free. Most of the patterns are for counted thread techniques. - Coloring Books from Edupics:
Admittedly, these aren't embroidery designs. However, there are heaps of ideas here - fruits, vegetables, whatever - and most can easily be adapted to surface embroidery. An extensive index of coloring book pages. - Redwork Designs from Ladies in Red:
A great source for redwork designs in all kinds of categories. Redwork designs can be adapted to practically any surface embroidery. This link takes you to the flowers page, but you'll find an index for more designs at the bottom of the page. - Textile Pattern Coloring Book Pages from 40to40:
Here you'll find some great patterns for backgrounds and for general design inspiration. Click around on this site. Lots of stuff, some pretty intricate, and entirely suitable to embroidery (especially in the textile part). - Blackwork Designs from Blackwork Archives:
Some really nice blackwork designs here, and also a lot of interesting reading. - Redwork Plus:
Here's a cute snowman pattern for redwork or practically any kind of surface embroidery or crafty purpose. - Interweave Press Needlework Projects:
The publishers of Piecework Magazine offer some free projects on their website. - Fill Patterns for Blackwork:
Some very nice background patterns for blackwork techniques. - Blackwork Sampler:
A few more samples of blackwork patterns. These are really pretty! - Stitch Magazine
Magazine produced by the Embroiderers' Guild of the UK. The site includes stitch instructions and lots of projects, many of which have great patterns. - 2BusyStitching
Free charts for hardanger and counted cross stitch - Colouring Book Pages
Great selection of children's motifs, including popular characters from Disney, Beatrix Potter, etc. Also flowers, holidays, whatnot. - Embroidery and Sewing section at knitting-and.com
Sarah Bradbury has quite a collection of vintage and original patterns for free on her site, from flowers and animals to butterflies and dragonflies. - Vintage Embroidery Transfer Patterns
Here's a great website for patterns from Vogue vintage embroidery transfers. You'll find all kinds of great patters for embroidering household goods, clothes, quilts, totes, etc. - Alita Designs
free cross stitch and tapestry patterns in a variety of motifs: animals, floral, religious, children's, etc. The patterns print in sections from your basic computer printer. - Embroidery and Embroider:
an excellent source for Assisi work patterns and instructions. Jos Hendriks has over 200 free Assisi work patterns on the site, offering the patterns in various sizes with various themes. You can also find photos of completed projects on this site, as well as blackwork designs. - DragonBear:
A great resource for historical counted thread techniques. Browse the site, and don't miss the "Designs, Period" section, which contains over 250 medieval motifs for counted thread and other techniques! - Plaid Online Floral Monogram Pattern
A pretty monogram pattern that can be used on household goods. You'll find the floral embellishment and stitch guide, plus a free monogram alphabet. - Antique Pattern Library
A great resource for needlework books from days of old. You'll find PDF files of books full of techniques and patterns. - Digital Archives of Weaving and Related Topics
Here's another great resource for "old" books full of techniques and patterns. This site takes a little browsing to get to what you want, but it's well worth the time! - Smocking Pattern: a Symphony of Roses
A gorgeous smocking plate from Country Bumpkin. - Stumpwork Mushrooms
Another design from Country Bumpkin - beautiful little mushroom design in stumpwork, suitable for the beginner, with clear step-by-step instructions - Christmas Embroidery Designs
Five great designs worked in bullion knots, including Christmas trees, holly, and jolly old St. Nick. Really darling and perfect for little accents or for ornaments. From Country Bumpkin. - Simple Christmas Embroidery patterns
These are actually coloring book pages, some of which are cute, while others could be dressy, depending on how you interpret them. You'll find angels, snowflakes, snowmen, ornaments, bells, holly, and even a fish. - Homeberries
Here, you'll find some cute free patterns in the "primitive" style, useful for all kinds of embellishment. I think a lot of them would look good on baby things (quilts, bibs, etc.). I'm also thinking some would do well for hand embroidery on paper. - TipNut - a whole bunch of vintage-ish hand embroidery patterns for things like kitchen towels and so forth. You'll also find tips on making needlecases and organizing your work space.
Labels: beginner embroidery, embroidery resources, free embroidery patterns
Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, October 15, 2006
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9 Comments:
Hey, this is great to find so many pattern sources in one place, it's going to take a long time to go throught all of them! Thanx...
You're welcome, Sandra! I hope to keep this page updated - there are lots of places out there to find patterns! It would be nice to have them concentrated in one spot for "surfing ease." Heck, I use this page as a reference all the time! Thanks again for the comment!
hi!
your blog is fantastic-it's inspired me to get my floss and project bag out of the closet. Question about this post- For some of the paisley designs, what combination of stitches would you recommend? http://www.4to40.com/activities/artcraft/html/coloringbook12.htm
I found a new one! Here's the link:
http://mytransfers.blogspot.com/index.html
I did not see the Digital Archive (http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/index.html) or the Antique Pattern Library (http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org) on your list. They are not strictly embroidery pattern sources, but they have many embroidery patterns that can be used for free, though not sold. Have a look to see if they might be of use.
Best wishes,
Sytske.
Hi Mary,
Thanks so much. You have done a wonderful job here. So many beautiful embroidery designs.
Here are two more that you may want to add to your collection.
http://www.stitchingcow.com/free-pattern.htm and http://www.stitchingcow.com/free-redwork-pattern.htm
Keep up the great work.
Wow! I feel like I've hit the jackpot here! Thank you!
Mary, I do see where you've said that most designs are meant for personal use, not for reproduction for profit. This is a topic that I'm a bit confused about.
Can someone safely set up a little cottage industry, creating items to be embroidered, using, for instance those old vintage iron on transfer patterns found in Grandma's attic?
Is it illegal, for instance, to take an old Vogart transfer, one that now can only be found at a flea market or in some old attic, transfer the design on to a set of pillowcases and then sell the pillowcases?
What about using art illustrations found in old 19th century, or turn of the century books?
For that matter, is it legal to buy pillowcases, towels, etc., put your own artwork on them and then offer them for resale?
Color me confused!
I realize I'm asking you to play copyright expert here. I don't mean to. I'm just wondering if there is some general rule of thumb. Or a source of information you can point me toward.
Thank you again! J. Mosley
I just found a site with the most amazing Disney coloring pages! Many of which could easily be translated into embroidery. http://lnx.ginevra2000.it/Disney/color_index.htm
Hello again! I think I've discovered some answers to my own questions here, regarding the resale of vintage iron transfer patterns.
I've discovered that there are, in fact, a good number of folks out there who have made a little business for themselves by collecting original old Tri Chem, Artex, Vogart, etc., transfer patterns that they in turn create photo copies of, and then sell the photo copies.
I've purchased a handful of these patterns now and it works out pretty great! Not wanting to mark up the pattern itself, what I do for now, until I get a little photocopier of my own, is place a sheet of paper over the photo copy and trace it, using a Dritz Transfer Pencil. I use a small light box for this but taping the design to a sunny window will work just as well. It's a good bit of fun! Cheers! J. Mosley
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