Embroidery in 2025 is less about perfection and more about expression. The focus is no longer on complex patterns or perfect stitches. Instead, this year’s embroidery trends highlight simple techniques and flexible designs you can sew by hand or with a machine. No matter your skill level, you can make the most of these styles with basic supplies and finish them at your own pace.
Modern Embroidery Trends for 2025: What to Stitch Next
Here’s a closer look at what’s showing up in 2025 and how to bring those ideas into your next project.
1. Turn Artwork into Embroidery
Artwork embroidery turns famous paintings into thread-based designs. Instead of paint and canvas, you use a needle and thread to stitch a version of the artwork onto fabric. The most popularly used paintings are Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Hokusai’s The Great Wave.
Additionally, some stitchers go big and recreate entire illustrations. However, if you’re just getting started, you can focus on one part of an image, like a swirling sky or a bold shape. Try sketching it on a tote bag or scrap fabric then use colored thread to slowly fill it in.
2. Try Puff Embroidery on Sweatshirts
Puff embroidery creates designs that sit slightly raised on the fabric. Instead of lying flat, the stitches puff up to create a soft, 3D texture. You’ve probably seen this on baseball caps or sporty jackets with bold letters or numbers.
Some people also use foam or felt under their stitches to get that puffy look. If you’re new to puff embroidery, you can practice by layering felt under one large letter. Sew over the edges with a tight stitch, and you’ll see the shape start to lift. Sweatshirts or pouches are great practice projects because they’re sturdy and easy to hold while stitching.
3. Add Appliqué to the Sides of Shirts
Appliqué is when you sew a piece of fabric onto another piece of fabric to make a new design. Those fabric shapes are placed along the sides of shirts or sweatshirts. They might look like a bow, a star, or a butterfly peeking from the edge of your top.
In addition, appliqués are a great option if you’re not ready to stitch tiny details yet. To start, choose a simple shape and cut it out of scrap fabric. Lay it along the side seam of a shirt, pin it in place, and sew around the edges to attach it. A zigzag stitch or straight stitch both work fine.
4. Outline Designs with Simple Stitches
Outline embroidery means creating designs made entirely of lines. Think of it like a simple line drawing made with a needle and thread. It could be a flower, a face, a plant, or any small shape you like.
Moreover, outline designs work well for beginners because they don’t use much thread. You can draw your design with a pencil on fabric, then trace over it with a basic stitch like a backstitch or split stitch. These line-only designs are popular on hats and patches and they stitch up fairly quickly.
5. Stitch a Pet’s Face
This embroidery trend turns pet photos into stitched portraits to celebrate our furry friends. Some people prefer to stitch every detail while others go for cute, simplified versions.
To start, choose a clear photo that shows the pet’s face from the front. Trace the main features like the head shape, eyes, and nose onto your fabric. You don’t have to make it picture-perfect. Even just getting the expression right can already make it feel personal. You can keep the colors simple and use only two or three thread shades.
Embroidery Trends: Try One and See Where It Takes You
Each of these embroidery trends gives you a new way to explore color, shape, and texture through stitching. You don’t need to get every part just right at your first try. Remember, the best projects are the ones you learn from and enjoy along the way.
Pick one that feels doable and get started with what you have. Save the idea, sketch it out, or try a test version on scrap fabric. You’ll pick up skills with each stitch and create something uniquely yours in the process.
FAQs: Embroidery Trends
- What is an embroidery trend?
It’s a popular style or technique people are using in their embroidery projects this year. - Do I need a machine to try these trends?
Nope! You can try most of them with simple hand-stitching tools. - What’s the easiest trend to start with?
Outline designs or appliqué are great beginner options. - What supplies do I need to begin?
Fabric, thread, a needle, scissors, and something to trace your design. - What is appliqué, exactly?
It’s when you sew a piece of fabric onto another to create a design. - How do I make puff embroidery without foam?
You can use felt or layer thread to build up thickness. - Can I turn a photo into embroidery?
Yes! Start by tracing the main shapes, like eyes and nose, onto fabric. - What kind of fabric works best?
Cotton, linen, or any non-stretch fabric is easier to stitch on. - How long does a beginner project take?
Most take a few hours—just go at your own pace. - What if my stitches aren’t perfect?
That’s totally fine. The goal is to learn and have fun while making something personal.
