Embroidered sweet peas

Sweet Peas in Thread: My Needlepainting Journey Begins

Hi everyone,

I’m thrilled to share a little glimpse into a project that’s been bringing me so much joy lately. I’ve recently embarked on a hand embroidery adventure using the long-and-short stitch technique—also fondly known as needlepainting. For those unfamiliar, needlepainting is a style of embroidery that mimics the soft gradients and textures of painted artwork using nothing but thread and patience. It’s a beautiful blend of precision and artistry, and I’ve fallen head over heels for it.

For this project, I’m stitching a bunch of four sweet pea flowers—three in delicate shades of pink and one in a rich violet—onto a cushion cover. Sweet peas have such a graceful, fluttery charm, and I thought they’d be the perfect subject to bring to life with thread. Here's the design I’m working from, which outlines the placement and flow of each bloom. It’s still a work in progress, but I wanted to share the first completed flower with you all.

The Violet Sweet Pea

Take a look at the image below—this is the violet sweet pea, the first flower I’ve stitched in this series.

The petals are worked in a blend of purples, pinks, whites, and soft grays using satin stitch techniques to create depth and dimension. While I don’t think it’s come out perfectly (what ever does?), I’m genuinely happy with the color combination. The transitions between shades feel soft and natural, and the overall effect is quite striking against the green fabric. There’s something magical about watching a flat piece of cloth slowly transform into a textured, blooming artwork.

Around the violet flower, you’ll notice the outlines of the remaining sweet peas—still waiting to be stitched. I’m excited to see how the pink ones will complement the violet and bring balance to the composition. Each petal is a tiny canvas, and every stitch is a brushstroke.

Looking Ahead
As I continue this project, I’d love to share my process, tips, and learnings with you all. Needlepainting is a technique that rewards patience and experimentation, and I believe anyone with a love for detail and color can enjoy it. In my upcoming posts, I’ll be sharing progress photos, insights into thread blending, and maybe even a few tutorials for those curious to try it themselves.

Thank you for joining me on this creative journey. Wishing you all a wonderful start to the new year—may it be filled with inspiration, color, and the joy of making things by hand.

Happy stitching!
--Flora