How to Embroider Paper

Embroidery spans continents, time, and styles. From Japanese sashiko to Spanish blackwork, and from folk art embellishment to samplers popular in the 18th century. Embroidery comes in many forms and cultural practices. Most recently, contemporary artists have been using techniques to enhance and adorn their work.

As a mixed media collage artist, I regularly incorporate embroidery into my work. Stitching into paper or canvas can add visual intrigue to artwork.

This is a great class for beginner or intermediate collage or mixed media artists looking to add new techniques to their repertoire. Or for crafters/makers who want to add new skillsets to their palette of talents.

This class is specifically geared towards embroidering paper, which presents its own set of challenges than if you were stitching on canvas or fabric. (However, many of the techniques transfer to fabric if you so choose.)

In this class, you’ll learn:

• The basics of embroidery
• The tools and materials you’ll need to get started
• In addition, I will share 5 of the embroidery techniques I use most frequently in my own mixed media work, including:
  • French knots
  • Running stitch
  • Chain stitch
  • Bullion stitch
  • Blackwork
• And ideas for incorporating these into your work

Make sure to download the free resources. I’ve created a shopping list to help you get the right tools and materials, a template for practicing your embroidery stitches, and printable graph paper for sketching out your blackwork designs.

For your project, practice the stitches you learned in the class and apply them to your own collage, mixed media piece or any paper ephemera. And make sure to share your beautiful work. I can’t wait to see what you create.

To help you get inspired, I’ve created a Pinterest board with amazing examples of embroidery art and how other artists are using this technique to enhance their work. https://www.pinterest.com/danivinokurov/embroidery-art/

In addition, if you end up loving embroidery and want to explore new stiches, this is my favorite embroidery book. I highly recommend getting the spiral bound version. It lays flat and makes it super easy to follow the step-by-step instructions. https://www.amazon.com/Embroidery-Stitch-Bible-Betty-Barnden/dp/0873495101/ref=pd_sbs_14_3/138-1359873-2575837