Another month, another project! I’m sharing my Try Something New Every Month (TSNEM) project- this month’s ‘theme’ was needlework. You can see more about the year-long adventure and what else I’ve tried in this post. I tried my hand at “stumpwork” which basically means raised embroidery. I went with the simplest type, adding felt padding for a 3-d effect, but more advanced techniques include wire. I first heard about stumpwork when Rebecca tried it last year, making a planet.

Stumpwork beetle embroidery

I used a tutorial from Sew in Love; she seems to have the most comprehensive stumpwork information online, as far as I can tell! You can see the 3-d element from this angle.

I added two beads for the eyeballs and love the effect on this beetle embroidery, I’m not sure why it’s never occurred to me to include beads in embroidery! I love how the little beetle turned out and need to get my hands on some metallic thread to make more of them. Stumpwork really excited my imagination, and I want to try other techniques soon.

If you like this project, you’ll want to check these posts out too!

3 years after this post, I turned it into a necklace! I bought the hoop/setting from artbase off Etsy and love how it turned out!

Pin this post for later with this link or collage image:

Stumpwork hand embroidery tutorials & resources

I always spend a lot of time browsing images, tutorials, and information before I try my hand so I’ll share those below, I also found out that there is Craftsy class about stumpwork* that looks neat and gets good reviews.

Some visual browsing inspiration for you below, too:

A TON of cool projects all rounded up at Sew in Love
Earthy moss art by Emma Mattson
Modern, shocking KISS fan art on flickr
Cute squirrel on The Floss Box
Sweet bird’s wreath on The Floss Box
Fuzzy bird on The Floss Box
There were some beautiful looking books on stumpwork* – I ordered the beetle one, on a whim!

A photo posted by @livgryl on Oct 23, 2016 at 6:48pm PDT

A photo posted by kozue Japan (@kzfavourite) on Oct 16, 2016 at 12:13am PDT

A photo posted by Laura Jacquemond 🐞🐛 (@blueterracotta) on Oct 15, 2016 at 4:57am PDT

A photo posted by 삼아(SAM.Ah) (@sama3_07) on Oct 23, 2016 at 9:15pm PDT

Have you tried stumpwork before?

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Donna Plant

Sunday 6th of November 2016

I receive your email every month and just love it. I was wondering if there is a free tutorial on the stumpwork stitches. I`m on disability and limited income prevents me from buying some extras. But using my hands to create is wonderful therapy for mind and body. Thanks so much, Donna

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Hi Donna! Thanks so much for subscribing - you can always just hit 'reply' and it should go to me :) I used the free tutorial on Sew In Love: http://sew-in-love.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/stumpwork-beetle.html#.WBeuwySfxPZ for this post, so check that out! Let me know how it goes, isn't the internet wonderful for free content? You can also always ask your library to borrow books for you, or request them to buy, as well. Thanks for reading and good luck!

Pam @Threading My Way

Friday 4th of November 2016

I have never heard the term stumpwork, Stephanie, nor have I ever thought of embroidery as anything other than 2D. I just adore your beetle!!! More ideas I'd love to try, but will most probably never get around to. I'd love you to add your stumpwork to our embroidery link party - I'd love to show it to my readers.

Thanks Pam! It's a fun idea, right? I'll go click over and add it :D

karen swann

What?? This is a thing? Amazing--and your beetle is adorable! First time I've ever used that sentence ;)

Haha, adorable beetles are few and far between! Thanks Karen!