I love hand embroidery! Perfect to pick up and put down when you’re chasing kids, portable, cheap to start, and loads of possibilities. If gingham kittens and teacups aren’t your style, I dug up a ton of modern hand embroidery patterns instead. If you’ve been meaning to try it out, check out this list of free hand embroidery patterns and stop making excuses! I had so much fun making this list from some of my favorite designers; pick a pattern, curl up with a hoop, and you’ll fall in love with needlework too.
If you’re new to hand embroidery, check out my list of favorite hand embroidery tools here and see the trick for how to transfer embroidery patterns with a picture tutorial!
If you are looking for embroidery project ideas, check out these other posts:
- modern embroidery kits
- online embroidery classes for beginners
- embroidery sampler patterns
- Christmas hand embroidery patterns
- 20+ modern cat embroidery patterns
Please don’t pin individual pictures (click over to the respective sites and pin from there) or you can use this collage and pin this post of free hand embroidery patterns for later, here:
Ready to see what I picked out for modern hand embroidery patterns?
Free hand embroidery patterns
I designed this free ‘Explore More’ hand embroidery pattern for my post on how to embroider shoes but you could put it in a hoop too!
Free butterfly hand embroidery pattern designed by Sarah Watson for Sew Mama Sew – unfortunately their site seems to be down possibly for good, will update if the link works again, sorry!
Free wildflower hand embroidery pattern from yours truly, in my post about how to embroider a hat by hand
Free flamingo hand embroidery pattern designed by the Kitschy Stitcher for Sew What Alicia
Free “The days are long but the years are short” hand embroidery pattern here at Swoodson Says
Free floral hand embroidery pattern designed by Abigail Cecile Design for Sew Mama Sew – unfortunately their site seems to be down possibly for good, will update if the link works again, sorry!
Download this sweet kitty silhouette embroidery pattern and see how to stitch it in this post.
Free leaf hand embroidery pattern at Radiant Home Studio
Free fern hand embroidery pattern from Lolli and Grace
Free stitching hand embroidery pattern from Wild Olive
‘You got this’ hand embroidery pattern here at Swoodson Says
Free mandala hand embroidery tutorial from Shiny Happy World
Free welcome hand embroidery pattern from Sew Can She
Free heart hand embroidery pattern by Cutesy Crafts for Polka Dot Chair
Free thread spool hand embroidery pattern from Flamingo Toes
Free monstera leaf hand embroidery pattern by Nana Bumblebee
Free ‘Love without reason’ hand embroidery pattern by Down Grapevine Lane
Free ‘TGIF’ hand embroidery pattern here at Swoodson Says
[not pictured]
Free ‘And though she be but little She is fierce’ hand embroidery pattern by Dabbles and Babbles
Free scandinavian hand embroidery pattern from Hoogally
Free embroidered USA map tutorial from Do Small Things With Love
Free floral hand embroidery pattern from Hodge Podge Craft
Let me know what your favorite was in this list of free hand embroidery patterns, or if I missed one that deserves to be included! I’m always happy to add more modern hand embroidery patterns to this post.
Marsha Law
Tuesday 17th of April 2018
The Monstera leaf is so simple and striking. I'm going to play around with it for a while.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Tuesday 17th of April 2018
Can't wait to see it!