February is National Embroidery Month! Embroidery is a craft that involves decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. You might also include embellishments such as pearls, beads or sequins. Embroidery is a great way to add decoration or your own artistic flair to pillows, coin purses, bags and much more. These six embroidery crafts might give you a head start on some projects you can do throughout February.

Amazingly beautiful embroidery patterns on sale at Shaun Knight.

Embroidered Scarf

This first craft comes straight from the CraftFoxes site and it’s a great way to upgrade a piece that has been lying around in your wardrobe. If you have a scarf that you’re not sure what to do with, try adding some embroidery to the edges to jazz it up. Using a fabric marker, draw some guidelines where you’re going to add the embroidery. Then follow the drawn lines and embroider feather stitches along the edge of the scarf. 

For more direction on this embroidered scarf, visit this CraftFoxes article.

Embroidered Bags

This bag is an adorable spin on the canvas bags that seem to be a trend right now. Using some plain fabric, trace lines with a fabric marker to create the lined look of a sheet of paper. Then simply sew those lines on with black or blue thread. Use a dark-colored thread to stitch on your name or a saying that you particularly like. Then, follow the pattern at the link below to create the bag and line it with a fun, patterned fabric!

For more directions on this embroidered bag, visit 645 Workshop.

Embroidery Hoop Wall Art

When you think of embroidery, you probably think about those embroidery hoops that perhaps you bought long ago and haven’t gotten around to. Even if you don’t have some lying around, embroidery hoops are incredibly affordable at your local craft store and can be an inventive way to decorate a blank wall. Cut a circle of fabric about an inch wider than your hoop, then cinch the fabric into the embroidery hoop. Trim the excess and you'll have some colorful wall decor!

For more information on these embroidery hoops, visit Get Rich or DIY Tryin’.

Embroidered Drink Sleeve

These days, people are realizing they can’t afford a Starbucks coffee every single morning. So they’re investing in those plastic coffee cups that will sustain them with caffeine throughout the day. To personalize those reusable cups, try these embroidered drink sleeves on for size. Just embroider your name onto a piece of fabric as shown. As you’ll see in the linked post, this is a great gift idea for your kids’ teachers at Christmas or the end of the year. 

For more information on these drink sleeves, visit Finding Pins and Needles.

Embroidered Cards

If you’re looking for a great, personalized card to give to someone for their birthday, for Valentine’s Day, or just because, try out these embroidered cards. First, draw your design on a thin piece of paper. Then tape the paper to a card and poke holes in the shape of your design. Stitch thread into the design and there you have it —a cute and fun way to show people you care with a homemade touch. 

For more information on these embroidered cards, visit the Mr. Handsomeface blog.

Plenty of great embroidery patterns and ideas at Embroidery Online.

Embroidered Hand Prints

This next project is a great gift to give to aunts, uncles, or grandparents. Trace your child’s handprint on paper, cut them out and then trace them onto your fabric. Then, you simply embroider the handprints and place the piece of fabric in an embroidery hoop for display.You can even add your childrens’ names and the date to commemorate the gift. 

For more directions on these embroidered hand prints, visit plum pudding.

Credits: CraftFoxes, 645 Workshop, Get Rich or DIY Tryin', Finding Pins and Needles, Mr. Handsomeface, plum pudding