Why Christmas is a good time for small embroidery projects
Christmas motifs tend to be small, graphic and quick to stitch, which makes them well suited to hoops, ornaments and handmade cards. Many designers offer simple holiday patterns, and several thread companies share free ones. If you are new to stitching, our introduction to hand embroidery patterns explains how to transfer a design and start.
Christmas embroidery design ideas
Collections of free and paid designs often include the same favourite motifs. Some ideas to look for:
- Wreaths. A circle of leaves and berries is a classic. Lazy daisy stitch makes quick leaves, and French knots make berries.
- Christmas trees. A tree can be a simple triangle of satin stitch or a stylised outline with small decorations.
- Reindeer and woodland animals. Simple outline reindeer, foxes and owls with winter details.
- Snowflakes and mandalas. Symmetrical designs worked in white or silver thread on dark fabric.
- Ornaments. Round designs sized to fit inside a small hoop that doubles as the frame.
- Lettering. Words such as Joy or Merry in backstitch or stem stitch.
- Sweaters and stockings. Little outline shapes decorated with tiny stitches.
- Candles and stars. Simple shapes with a few detail stitches.
- Gingerbread and sweets. Cheerful, easy-to-fill shapes.
Choosing colours
Traditional palettes use red, green, white and gold, but there are plenty of options. A neutral palette with cream, brown and sage green can feel modern. Metallic thread adds sparkle but can be more difficult to handle, so you may wish to try it on a scrap first, or use it only for small accents.
Stitches that suit holiday motifs
| Motif | Stitch ideas |
|---|---|
| Wreath leaves | Lazy daisy, fishbone |
| Berries and ornaments | French knots, small satin stitch circles |
| Outlines and lettering | Backstitch, stem stitch |
| Snow and sparkle | Seed stitch, small straight stitches |
| Tree and gift shapes | Satin stitch, long and short stitch |
Choosing fabric
Cotton and linen blends are common. Felt is another option for ornaments because the edges do not fray, though it handles differently from woven fabric, so use a sharp needle and keep your stitches fairly short. Light fabric shows most threads clearly. For dark fabric, check that your marking tool is visible.
Ways to finish Christmas embroidery
- Hoop ornaments. Trim the fabric, gather the back, and cover it with a circle of felt.
- Stuffed ornaments. Sew two pieces together with light filling.
- Cards. Mount the stitched design in a card with a cut-out window.
- Gift tags and toppers. Small designs can be attached to packages.
- Linens. Napkins and dish towels make good seasonal gifts. Using a water-soluble stabiliser helps keep stitches neat on towels.
- Framed pieces. A larger scene can be framed to display each year.
Planning ahead
Embroidery takes time, so start well before the holidays if you plan to give pieces as gifts. A set of small ornaments can be stitched in a few evenings, but estimates vary with experience. It also helps to prepare thread colours for the whole set at once.
Flowers and other motifs for winter
Holly, poinsettias and winter berries borrow from the same stitches used in flower embroidery patterns. If you like texture, you might also try a looped design in punch needle, which works nicely for chunky ornaments and stockings.
Tips
- Check the pattern licence before making items to sell.
- Wash your hands before stitching light thread so it stays clean.
- Press finished embroidery from the back on a soft surface.