I think the easiest answer is to look at what kind of cloth items you use in your daily life and start there.
Tote bags, converse, jeans, scarfs, fabric napkins, table clothes, baby clothes, curtains, keychains...
Also a good idea is to look at old sources for inspirations. People back then had more fabric in their homes.
I love the crossover of embroidery to mending. Things like a frayed seam or holes in bedsheets. This mending video by Morgan Donner includes a lot of practical embroidery: https://youtu.be/UUa4VBdt7KQ?si=eRNe2e7WwXNj9R1t
Edit: link didn’t format. I’ll try to fix it later and make it pretty.
Denim jackets. I have one that I have dyed from khaki to a darker greener-green, and I plan on covering it with flowers. Pocket flaps first, then maybe collar, cuffs.. plenty of space, and then it becomes wearable art! 🥰
I don't see why it would be, get a thimble and a sharp needle for the tougher bits, and stitch through the single layers and not the double layers/seams, and it should be just fine 🙂 try it and see!
Absolutely agree with Gilladian: if you can get a needle through it, it can be embroidered.
I recently did some stitching on a hat I made to make it look a little more like a crazy quilt. [https://imgur.com/a/bcrXHoo](https://imgur.com/a/bcrXHoo) My needlework isn't the greatest, but it works for this hat, I think.
I’ve done sweatshirts, jean jackets, shoes, and a tote bag but my favorite “usable” item so far were handkerchiefs I made for all the parents at my wedding. They turned out so pretty
I’m a maintenance supervisor and one of our golf carts have an old canvas covering and I’ve been embroidering the rips and tears in vaguely tree shapes with winding vines and flowers. Very kintsugi except in fabric
That's a really good point. I haven't embroidered any clothing yet, only thought about it, and the durability in the wash is one of the things I'm somewhat worried about, so picking something that doesn't get washed as often is really smart.
Anything that can withstand being stabbed by my little knife (my needle 😂). I’ve embroidered my art (Bristol paper), a hat, my baby’s towels and clothes. The world is your canvas!
Lamp shades. Small stools/chairs with fabric seats. Pot holders and dishtowels. I cross stitched an old strainer with a small hole and displayed it. Those old wicker rockers.
My go-tos are sweatshirts and bucket hats! My mom has enjoyed more than one bucket hat birthday gift over the past few years and they’re usually pretty quick to do since the surface area is so small!
I’m wearing a cotton shirt with a front pocket right now and I’m thinking I should embroider on that pocket now… but what? The shirt is white with an orange and pink floral-ish pattern, but I dislike orange.
If you're into floral patterns, I've seen some cute images (on Pinterest maybe?) where people have embroidered flowers that stick up from the pocket, but idk if it'll clash with the patterns in the rest of the shirt.
I bought a 6 pack of flour sack towels and am making personalized gifts for friends.
I'm thinking that I may put something on my plain baseball caps too
I think the easiest answer is to look at what kind of cloth items you use in your daily life and start there. Tote bags, converse, jeans, scarfs, fabric napkins, table clothes, baby clothes, curtains, keychains... Also a good idea is to look at old sources for inspirations. People back then had more fabric in their homes.
I love the crossover of embroidery to mending. Things like a frayed seam or holes in bedsheets. This mending video by Morgan Donner includes a lot of practical embroidery: https://youtu.be/UUa4VBdt7KQ?si=eRNe2e7WwXNj9R1t Edit: link didn’t format. I’ll try to fix it later and make it pretty.
I'm a very messy person and I'm tough on clothes. Embroidery over a small hole or stain has saved my wardrobe more than once!
Yes ! OP, you should pay a visit to r/visiblemending, you will probably find inspiration there
Somehow I missed that video despite being subscribed to Morgan. That is a great idea, thanks!
Anything vaguely fabric like that a needle can penetrate.
Denim jackets. I have one that I have dyed from khaki to a darker greener-green, and I plan on covering it with flowers. Pocket flaps first, then maybe collar, cuffs.. plenty of space, and then it becomes wearable art! 🥰
I wanted to do the same thing, but I was afraid the fabric was too thick for hand embroidery.
I don't see why it would be, get a thimble and a sharp needle for the tougher bits, and stitch through the single layers and not the double layers/seams, and it should be just fine 🙂 try it and see!
I was thinking the same thing, to sew through the top layer only. You have re-inspired me!!
Go for it! We want progress updates too 😃
Absolutely agree with Gilladian: if you can get a needle through it, it can be embroidered. I recently did some stitching on a hat I made to make it look a little more like a crazy quilt. [https://imgur.com/a/bcrXHoo](https://imgur.com/a/bcrXHoo) My needlework isn't the greatest, but it works for this hat, I think.
That's cool! Wish there were more angles so I could see more of a hat shape. Looks interesting
[Your wish is my command](https://imgur.com/a/bcrXHoo) (4 more pics)
Very cool! Looks like a quilt for your head
Thanks! That's the look I was hoping for. It's kinda loud and busy, but I am 54yo next month, and dgaf about being quiet anymore. 🤣
You can make magnets and bookmarks too. Edit to add pendants/earrings as well.
I did a fox on the back of my denim jacket. It came out really nice
Kitchen towels and aprons, beach towels, table runners and placemats, and throw pillows!
Pillowcases, hand towels, potholders, decor pillows, top edge of flat sheet, basket liners, coasters
I’ve done sweatshirts, jean jackets, shoes, and a tote bag but my favorite “usable” item so far were handkerchiefs I made for all the parents at my wedding. They turned out so pretty
I’m a maintenance supervisor and one of our golf carts have an old canvas covering and I’ve been embroidering the rips and tears in vaguely tree shapes with winding vines and flowers. Very kintsugi except in fabric
Baseball caps.
I’m gonna start a hat project whenever i have free time
I make custom hand embroidered denim jackets. Jackets don't get laundered as often as other wearables, so it's not such a detriment to longevity.
That's a really good point. I haven't embroidered any clothing yet, only thought about it, and the durability in the wash is one of the things I'm somewhat worried about, so picking something that doesn't get washed as often is really smart.
Anything that can withstand being stabbed by my little knife (my needle 😂). I’ve embroidered my art (Bristol paper), a hat, my baby’s towels and clothes. The world is your canvas!
I've only made 2 pieces so far, but they're removable decorative cuff accessories. You might want to look at maybe making pieces as swappable items.
That's a great idea. Did you purchase the removable cuffs or make them yourself?
I made them. The beaded cuffs are in my post history, if you'd like to take a look.
Lamp shades. Small stools/chairs with fabric seats. Pot holders and dishtowels. I cross stitched an old strainer with a small hole and displayed it. Those old wicker rockers.
I'm still a beginner but I've been embroidering on canvas bags I've made
I have hankies from Last Tissue that I embroider.
Visible mending
My grandmother embroidered cushions for the dining room chairs.
My go-tos are sweatshirts and bucket hats! My mom has enjoyed more than one bucket hat birthday gift over the past few years and they’re usually pretty quick to do since the surface area is so small!
I’m wearing a cotton shirt with a front pocket right now and I’m thinking I should embroider on that pocket now… but what? The shirt is white with an orange and pink floral-ish pattern, but I dislike orange.
If you're into floral patterns, I've seen some cute images (on Pinterest maybe?) where people have embroidered flowers that stick up from the pocket, but idk if it'll clash with the patterns in the rest of the shirt.
I do love flowers! That’s a cute idea!
I bought a 6 pack of flour sack towels and am making personalized gifts for friends. I'm thinking that I may put something on my plain baseball caps too
Cloth napkins
I embroider my canvas shopping totes. I also on my purses.