Embroidery has been approached in many different ways for a very long time. A lot of influences in embroidery have been developed through culture and heritage. I have rounded up eight examples of embroideries that use either techniques or motifs inspired by traditional embroidery from all over the globe!
Buckle up, we’re going on a tour of embroidery patterns and motifs inspired by different countries from around the world!
Photo via Bluprint member Laura_Aurora
Dia de los Muertos Pattern
Day of the Dead is a historic Mexican celebration to honor the memory of those who have past. Sugar skulls are synonymous with this celebration and Laura_Aurora has captured this motif in cross-stitch. That black Aida fabric certainly makes the colors pop!
Get the Dia de los Muertos Pattern.
Photo via Bluprint member Erik HOMEMADE
Cyrillic Alphabet & Folk Doll Pattern
Cyrillic is a Eurasian writing system and is used by countries such as Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and Bulgaria. Eric HOMEMADE has developed the text into a floral beauty, sticking with traditional colors and motifs. This pattern also includes the infamous Matryoshka doll, a traditional Russian nesting doll!
Get the Cyrillic Alphabet & Folk Doll Pattern.
Photo via Bluprint member Scarlett Rose
Aine Embroidery Pattern
Celtic knot patterns have been traced back as far as the Ancient Romans and can be seen in history all across Europe. Scarlett Rose has developed this Aine pattern that is very versatile. The knot can be used in a whole range of colors and textures, so it could be stitched onto absolutely anything!
Get the Aine Embroidery Pattern.
Photo via Bluprint member cloudsfactory
A Night in India Pillow Sampler Pattern
Bluprint member cloudsfactory has been inspired by India in this beautiful pillow sampler. Elephants in traditional dress, mandalas, the Taj Mahal and peacocks come together to form this unique and perfect pattern. It reminds me of traditional Rangoli patterns, which are created on the ground in colored sand and rice. Except unlike these temporary patterns of sand, this pattern can stay around forever!
Get the A Night in India Pillow Sampler Pattern.
Photo via Bluprint member Anna Scott
Blue Elegance: Crewelwork Pattern
Crewelwork is most often associated with English history and really flourished during the Jacobean period (17th Century). Anna has taken this popular and timeless embroidery style and given it a little contemporary update by using lush blue tones.
Crewelwork is great for anyone who wants to really sink their teeth into a piece of hand embroidery, with techniques that include whipping, stem stitch, long and short stitch and trellis couching – ooh!
Get the Blue Elegance: Crewelwork Embroidery Pattern.
Photo via Bluprint member Handyann
Termari Tutorial Stars Pattern
Termari are Chinese thread balls and have been in existence for over 1,000 years. They were used for handball games! Handyann has taken this ancient technique and given it a super contemporary look in this stunning star pattern. A ‘quick-to-work’ herringbone stitch is used to build up these beautiful layers of geometric pattern.
Get the Termari Tutorial Stars Pattern.
Photo via Bluprint member lovahandmade
Dala Horse Embroidery Pattern
The Dalecarlian, or Dala, horse is a traditional hand-carved horse made from wood. It originated in the Swedish province of Dalarna. Historically, it is red in color with a white, green, yellow and blue harness, but these days you can find Dala horses in all different color ways.
Lovahandmade has given their Dala horse embroidery pattern a very jazzy look indeed! This would look wonderful on a whole heap of things – tea towels, t-shirts, bedding, jackets, curtains blankets…the list goes on and on!
Get the Dala Horse Embroidery Pattern.
Photo via Bluprint member Spirit of Belarus
Spring Keys Mini Needlepoint Rug Pattern
Spirit of Belarus takes inspiration from traditional Belarusan motifs and patterns. Very geometric in their style, these translate flawlessly into cross-stitch. This particular pattern was influenced by ‘Calling for Spring’, a Belarusan ritual.
Get the Spring Keys Mini Needlepoint Rug Pattern.
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Delve deeper into the world of hand embroidery with Jessica Marquez over at our online class Design It, Stitch It: Hand Embroidery.
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