Embroidered Neck Design---Progress

Exploring Long and Short Stitch Variations in My Neck Design

This is my progress so far on the neck design! I’ve been slowly bringing the floral motifs to life, and as you can see, the two large pink flowers are finally taking shape. Each time I sit down to work on this piece, I’m reminded why I love embroidery so much — every single stitch adds dimension, personality, and a story of its own.

Now, if you take a closer look at the two flowers, you might notice a subtle difference between them. Can you spot it? Both are worked in long and short shading, but the technique I used for each flower is slightly different — and that small variation has created two very distinct visual effects.

For the first flower, I used a method where I did not split back into the previous rows of stitches. Instead, I began each new row by inserting the needle at the endpoints of the stitches from the previous row. This approach results in smoother transitions between rows, with a more satin-like surface. The color blending feels more directional, creating a layered, petal-like texture. From what I’ve read and observed, this method seems to be quite common in East Asian embroidery traditions, where precision and surface smoothness are emphasized.

For the second flower, I used the traditional splitting method, where each new stitch pierces or overlaps the stitches from the previous row. This creates a much softer blending effect — the colors seem to melt into one another, giving the flower a more painterly, natural look. It also adds a touch of texture, since the stitches interact more with each other.

It’s fascinating how such a small change in stitching technique can make such a big difference in the final outcome. The first flower appears more structured and crisp, while the second looks softer and fuller. Both have their own charm, and together, they add richness and variation to the overall design.

Working on this neck design has been a wonderful exercise in patience and observation. Sometimes, I find that experimenting on the same motif — using slightly different methods — teaches me more than following a fixed pattern ever could. Each stitch becomes a little experiment, a chance to understand how thread, tension, and direction interact with light and fabric.

I’m still working my way through the rest of the piece. The leaves and smaller flowers are next, and I’m planning to continue experimenting with stitch variations to see how they influence the overall look. I’ll be sure to share more progress soon — hopefully with both of these pink blossoms fully completed and glowing against the dark background fabric.

Have you ever tried using two different methods for long and short stitch in the same project? I’d love to hear about your experience and which effect you prefer — the smooth precision of the first, or the soft blending of the second!

Happy New year!

A Fresh Floral Embroidery Pattern to Start the New Year


Hi friends,

Wishing you all a happy and creative New Year! I hope 2025 brings you endless inspiration, colorful threads, and plenty of peaceful stitching time. To celebrate the beginning of a new creative year, I’m sharing a free hand embroidery pattern with you — a simple yet elegant floral vine that’s perfect for experimenting with colors and stitches.

This delicate design features three graceful flowers with buds and leaves flowing along a curved stem. It’s a versatile motif that you can adapt in many ways — as a neckline embellishment, border design, corner accent on a napkin or cushion cover, or even as a motif for fabric painting or applique work. The gentle curves and balanced proportions make it ideal for both beginners and seasoned stitchers.

Stitch Suggestions

You can interpret this design in several ways, depending on your style and skill level. Here are some ideas to get you started:

For the flowers:

• Use long and short stitch for the petals to create beautiful shading and depth.

• If you prefer texture, try fishbone stitch or satin stitch for a more structured look.

• Outline the petals with a single strand of stem stitch or split stitch to define the edges.

For the flower centers:

• Try French knots, bullion knots, or seed stitch to add dimension.

• A touch of gold or metallic thread in the center can add a festive sparkle.

For the leaves:

• Use fishbone stitch for a classic, natural look.

• Alternatively, long and short stitch can create a soft shaded effect.

• You can outline the veins with stem stitch or backstitch in a slightly darker shade of green.

For the stems and buds:

• Stem stitch, outline stitch, or chain stitch work beautifully for the stems.

• Use satin stitch or lazy daisy stitch for the small buds.

Color Suggestions

You can personalize this design easily with your favorite color palette. Here are a few ideas:

1. Classic Floral Palette:

• Petals: Shades of pink (light rose to deep magenta)

• Leaves: Soft green to olive

• Stems: Deep moss green

• Centers: Yellow or gold

2. Soft Pastel Look:

• Petals: Peach, lilac, or baby blue

• Leaves: Mint green

• Stems: Light brown or gray-green

• Centers: Pale yellow

3. Bold and Bright:

• Petals: Deep red or royal blue

• Leaves: Bright green

• Stems: Dark brown

• Centers: Metallic gold

Feel free to play with contrasting thread textures — glossy silk, soft cotton, or matte linen threads all create unique results.

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✂️ Tips for Using the Pattern

• Transfer the design to fabric using carbon paper or the lightbox method.

• Choose a medium-weight cotton or linen base fabric for best results.

• If you’re new to embroidery, start with two strands of thread — it gives good coverage without bulk.

• Don’t worry about perfection; the charm of hand embroidery lies in its handmade irregularities.

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🌼 Beyond Embroidery

Although this design was created with embroidery in mind, it’s also perfect for:

• Fabric painting — outline with fabric markers and fill with gentle brush strokes.

• Appliqué work — use colorful fabric scraps for the petals and leaves.

• Quilting embellishments — add subtle stitched lines for texture.

This little floral vine is meant to spark creativity — a small pattern to remind you that even the simplest designs can bring great joy when stitched with love.

If you decide to try this pattern, I’d love to see your version! Feel free to share your work or tag me so we can inspire each other throughout the year.

Wishing you happy stitching and a wonderful year ahead filled with colors, creativity, and calm.