15+ Modern & free hand embroidery patterns

15+ Modern & free hand embroidery patterns to hand stitch! Lots of free PDF hand embroidery designs to try out.

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
• 18+ motivational hand embroidery patterns
• 20+ embroidery floss organizer options & storage methods

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 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

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

I designed this for kids to practice different stitches but anyone could use it, an ice cream sampler pattern here on my blog.

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 heart hand embroidery pattern by Cutesy Crafts for Polka Dot Chair

No tutorial but a free pattern download for this simple t-rex pattern here on my site.

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

Free embroidered USA map tutorial from Do Small Things With Love

Free floral hand embroidery pattern from Hodge Podge Craft

A sweet star embroidery pattern to experiment with different styles of stars, over at Pumora Embroidery.

A fun floral wreath pattern from Molly & Mama, would be lovely to put text or a name in the middle!

A cute little cacti embroidery pattern from Bustle & Sew.

A lovely free pattern with several different stitch styles over at Flamingo Toes.

[not pictured]:

• Free ‘And though she be but little She is fierce’ hand embroidery pattern by Dabbles and Babbles
• Free hand embroidery patterns from DMC
• Free wisteria flower embroidery pattern from Diary of a Northern Belle

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.