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15+ Modern & free hand embroidery patterns

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

free hand embroidery patterns

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:

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:

free modern hand embroidery patterns

Ready to see what I picked out for modern hand embroidery patterns?

Free hand embroidery patterns

hand embroidery not in a hoop

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

diy pencil pouch

‘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

trex skull hand embroidery pattern free

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

free star embroidery pattern

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

free floral wreath embroidery pattern

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

free cactus embroidery pattern

A cute little cacti embroidery pattern from Bustle & Sew.

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

[not pictured]:

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.

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Amanda

Saturday 23rd of March 2024

I'm looking for dragon patterns. But al I can find are machine embroidery patterns.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Sunday 24th of March 2024

usually including the word 'hand' helps - here are affiliate links to two I found on etsy! https://tidd.ly/3TQs9vy & https://tidd.ly/3VsLPad

Lexi

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

Where can I find the butterfly pattern in the picture?

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

hi! if you saw a picture on pinterest pointing you to this post and don't see the pattern anymore, it means the owner took it down/it isn't available any more :( sorry!

Anne

Thursday 23rd of June 2022

Thanks so much for including my wisteria pattern & linking to my blog (Diary of a Northern Belle)! This list is lovely, and I especially like the "Stitching Love" pattern by Mollie from Wild Olive.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Tuesday 28th of June 2022

Glad to hear it :)

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!

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