43 Times Embroidery Was Just Too Gorgeous Not to Share

Sure, you can Google the definition of art and get something neat and tidy like “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination.” But in reality, art is so much more than a textbook line—it’s what you make of a craft. Whether it’s music, cooking, painting, or in this case, embroidery, art is where creativity and passion meet.

One of the best places to see this in action is the Embroidery subreddit, a little corner of the internet where people share their jaw-dropping creations made with just a needle, thread, and fabric. And let me tell you, the talent on display there is nothing short of incredible.

So, sit back and scroll through these stunning embroidery pieces. Who knows—by the end, you might just feel inspired to pick up a hoop and try stitching some magic of your own.

#1 Thread Art: Layered Koi Pond

Embroidery hoop art featuring koi fish and lily pads beautifully showcasing incredible embroidery skills. — Source

#2 Embroidered Portrait of a Handsome Pup

Realistic embroidery of a cat's face and paws on lavender fabric, showcasing incredible and beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

#3 I Created This Embroidery Piece Three Years Ago After the Invasion of Ukraine, and Today It Feels Just as Relevant. A Small Stitch of Solidarity — I Stand With Ukraine 🇺🇦🌻

Embroidery of a sunflower with detailed blue and yellow petals and green leaves showcasing incredible embroidery skills on fabric. — Source

Embroidery today is so much more than cute stitches on fabric. It’s a mix of creativity and mindfulness, helping people relax while making something beautiful. From DIY kits to handmade gifts and even sustainable fashion through visible mending, this craft keeps evolving. A simple needle and thread now stand for art, wellness, and style all at once.

#4 Embroidered Polar Bear in Blooming Spring

Intricate embroidery hoop art featuring a white bear surrounded by detailed purple flowers on green fabric. — Source

#5 Snowy Landscape Embroidery Inspired by Narumi Takada

Close-up of white textured embroidery hoop showcasing incredible embroidery skills with fluffy threadwork patterns. — Source

#6 Have You Seen This Chicken?

Framed embroidery of a wanted poster featuring a cartoon chicken with intricate and beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

When most people think about embroidery, they imagine grandma’s cross-stitch hoops or a few cute sayings on cloth. But the truth? Embroidery has quietly become one of the fastest-growing creative hobbies in the U.S. today. According to a 2023 Etsy trend report, searches for handmade embroidery gifts and DIY embroidery kits have jumped significantly, especially around the holidays when people want something meaningful and personal.

#7 Adorable 3D Cat Embroidery with Lanterns

Close-up of beautiful embroidery featuring a black cat, orange beads, and textured green foliage in a wooden hoop. — Source

#8 I Started This Yesterday. I’m Tired Of Being In America. 😩

Hand holding embroidery hoop with black floral design and text showcasing incredible and beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

#9 Reading By Moonlight 2

Hand holding embroidery hoop showcasing beautiful embroidery skills with a detailed night sky and cozy bedroom scene. — Source

And it’s not just about décor anymore. Many Americans are picking up embroidery as a form of mindfulness and stress relief. A study in the Journal of Public Health found that repetitive creative activities like stitching can lower anxiety, improve focus, and even act as a form of meditation. In today’s world of fast scrolling and endless notifications, sitting down with a needle and thread feels like a much-needed pause button.

#10 First Ever Attempt At A Portrait

Close-up of a cat and an embroidery hoop showing incredible and beautiful embroidery skills of a cat portrait. — Source

#11 3D Purple Octopus Embroidery 🐙

Intricate purple octopus embroidery showcased in a detailed white ornate frame highlighting embroidery skills. — Source

#12 Hand-Stitched New Zealand Ruru (Morepork) Embroidery

Embroidery hoop featuring an incredibly detailed and beautiful owl stitched on black fabric with fern leaves. — Source

One of the best parts about embroidery is the community around it. From Reddit threads to Instagram reels, people share their creations, swap tips, and inspire each other daily. It proves that a small craft can connect people across the world.

#13 Hand Embroidered Monstera Plant

Embroidered green and white leaves crafted to resemble a potted plant showing incredible embroidery skills on display. — Source

#14 I Embroidered This Work Just In Time For Spring And The Blooming Of Crocuses❤️

Intricate embroidery of purple crocus flowers displayed in hoop surrounded by real blooming crocus in garden setting. — Source

#15 My European Robin Is Complete, And No Longer Looking Like A Hamster

Embroidered bird with orange chest surrounded by yellow flowers and green leaves in detailed embroidery artwork. — Source

Embroidery isn’t just a craft—it’s a way of keeping stories alive. Across cultures, stitches have carried meaning for generations, from bold patterns to tiny details. Every thread can say something—about heritage, identity, or just someone’s creative spark. It’s like history woven into fabric.

#16 This Is Maurice 🙂

Hand holding a small embroidered bat with detailed stitching and decorative pearls showcasing embroidery skills. — Source

#17 Kiwi Based On Old Online Illustration

Embroidery art of a kiwi bird with detailed anatomical labels showcasing incredible embroidery skills on fabric. — Source

#18 This Is Fine 🪴

Embroidered artwork of a dog holding a plant, surrounded by various green potted plants showcasing embroidery skills. — Source

#19 Beginner’s Large Jacket Patch – “Fruit Bats With Pomegranate”

Intricate embroidery of bats and pomegranates showcasing beautiful and incredible embroidery skills on dark fabric. — Source

#20 Practicing Back Stitch With Shaky Hands Turned Out Perfect

Simple black embroidery showing two figures with blueberries, highlighting unique and beautiful embroidery skills on fabric. — Source

Who said embroidery has to stay old-fashioned? Artists now use 3D effects, bold colors, and realistic stitching that looks like painting. These custom embroidery designs are turning heads in fashion and home décor trends, proving thread art is more modern than ever.

#21 Made These For My Sister’s New Baby

Pair of red and yellow baby shoes featuring intricate and beautiful embroidery showcasing incredible embroidery skills. — Source

#22 I Can‘T Believe It Actually Worked!

Black heels decorated with beautiful and intricate colorful floral embroidery showcasing impressive embroidery skills. — Source

#23 Mushies In The Forest

Hand holding embroidery hoop with detailed forest scene featuring mushrooms and trees, showcasing embroidery skills. — Source

#24 This Year’s Valentine Pingu Design 🪡🐧🩷

Embroidered penguin holding a purple heart with various colorful craft materials on a pink fabric background in embroidery hoop. — Source

#25 Kraken Lighthouse For A Friend

Hand holding embroidery hoop with incredible lighthouse design and detailed waves showcasing beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

What starts as a small hobby can turn into a full-time gig. Many crafters now sell handmade embroidery gifts and custom embroidery patches online, building creative shops from home. It’s proof that a needle and thread can even spark creative business ideas.

#26 Freedom

Embroidery showing six stages of a person braiding hair, stitched with black, yellow, and beige thread on fabric. — Source

#27 My Baroque Calla Lily

Detailed embroidery of a blue clock tower with illuminated windows showcasing beautiful embroidery skills on gray fabric background. — Source

#28 Finished This One Today!

Detailed embroidery of a green leaf insect showcased in a dark wooden oval frame, highlighting incredible and beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

#29 Dear Garth, You’re Not Alone

Hand holding an embroidery hoop with a colorful stitched design of a white horse and a cartoon character showing embroidery skills. — Source

#30 Stump Work Western Tiger Swallowtail

Embroidered yellow and black butterfly displayed in a wooden hoop showcasing beautiful embroidery skills and craftsmanship. — Source

Embroidery isn’t limited to hoops anymore—it’s making its way into modern home décor ideas. From embroidered wall art to decorative cushions, these handmade embroidery designs add a personal touch that’s both stylish and timeless. It’s DIY, but make it chic.

#31 Friend Asked Me To Help Cover Up A Hole

Embroidered bee design on textured fabric showcasing beautiful and incredible embroidery skills in close-up detail. — Source

#32 You People Are Genius

Skeleton hand embroidery holding a wine glass with red wine, detailed stitching and decorative accents showcasing incredible embroidery skills. — Source

#33 Embroidered Quote From Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park

Embroidery art embroidered on tea bags displaying a quote about tea, showcasing beautiful embroidery skills in a wooden frame. — Source

#34 I Embroidered My Friends Wedding Bouquet

Intricate and beautiful embroidery of flowers and leaves displayed in a wooden hoop by skilled hands. — Source

#35 I Finished Another Log!

3D embroidered tree stump and grass on a wooden base showcasing incredible and beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

There’s nothing like a gift that feels one-of-a-kind. That’s why personalized embroidery gifts are trending everywhere—whether it’s initials on a tote bag or custom pet portraits. Handmade touches always stand out, making embroidery a go-to for meaningful surprises.

#36 Bead Embroidery Purple Beetroot Brooch

Embroidered radish designs embellished with colorful beads and sequins showcasing incredible embroidery skills on white fabric. — Source

#37 Embroidered Necklaces!

Three oval embroidery pendant necklaces with intricate floral designs on fabric, showcasing beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

#38 In The Immortal Words Of Zack De La Rocha…

Embroidery hoop displaying a stitched quote surrounded by decorative leaves, showcasing beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

#39 I Stitched The Final Stanza Of My Favorite Song, Danny Boy

Close-up of a framed embroidery artwork featuring musical notes and lyrics showcasing beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

#40 Just Finished Embroidering My Swim Bag

Beige tote bag featuring embroidery of various small feet and legs poking out of water in black thread. — Source

Experts say crafts can be a form of art therapy, and embroidery is a perfect example. The slow rhythm of stitches helps with focus, mindfulness, and relaxation. It’s no wonder stress relief hobbies like embroidery are becoming more popular every year.

#41 In Progress

Embroidery showing a woman in a white dress with brown hair near detailed flowers and a staircase on beige fabric. — Source

#42 Felt Like This Is Appropriate For Today

Hand holding embroidery hoop with bold text and blue flowers, showcasing incredible and beautiful embroidery skills. — Source

#43 Done Or Outline Lettering?

Embroidery hoop with colorful thread spools and stitched words "Go to therapy" on green fabric, showcasing embroidery skills. — Source

Final Thoughts

Embroidery proves that even the smallest stitches can tell the biggest stories. From playful DIY projects to mindful moments of relaxation, and from sustainable fashion to personalized gifts, this craft has woven itself into modern life in surprising ways. Whether you see it as art, therapy, or just a fun hobby, embroidery is a reminder that creativity is never out of style.