How to Embroider a Sunflower (Hand Embroidery, Step by Step)

Steps

1. 1. Transfer the Sunflower Pattern

   Start by getting your sunflower onto the fabric and the fabric drum-tight in the hoop. You need a round flower head, the little petal marks around its edge, a stem, and two leaves with a center vein drawn in.

   Tip: Watch this step Pull the fabric tight as a drum in the hoop before you draw. A saggy surface distorts the shape and makes even stitches wander.

   

2. 2. Outline the Stems and Leaf Veins

   Thread a light green and outline-stitch the stem and the center vein of each leaf. Outline stitch is a row of overlapping slanted stitches that reads like a smooth cord, so it gives the stem a raised, rope-like line rather than a flat one.

   Tip: Watch this step Keep the working thread on the same side of the needle every stitch. Switch sides mid-row and the cord effect breaks and turns into a stem stitch.

   

3. 3. Satin-Stitch the Leaves

   Switch to a medium green and fill the leaves with satin stitch. Lay the strands side by side, running from the outer edge of the leaf in to the center vein at a slight slant so both halves tilt toward the middle.

   Tip: Watch this step Strip your floss and lay the strands back together before you stitch. Untwisted, flat floss reflects light and gives satin stitch that smooth sheen.

   

4. 4. Stitch the Petals with Lazy Daisy

   Now the petals. Work each one as a lazy daisy loop: bring the needle up at the center end of the petal, dip it back in the same hole, and pull through over a small anchor stitch at the tip so the loop lies flat.

   Tip: Watch this step Anchor the tip of each loop with a snug little stitch so the petal cannot slide loose. A loose anchor lets the loop flop and the flower loses its shape.

   

5. 5. Fill the Center with French Knots

   Time for the seed center. Bring the brown floss up in the middle of the head, wrap the thread once around the needle, hold it taut with your free hand, and push the needle back down right beside where it came up.

   Tip: Watch this step One wrap gives a small tidy knot; wrap two or three times for bigger seeds. Keep the tension on the wrap firm right up until the needle passes through.

   

6. 6. Finish and Frame Your Sunflowers

   Both flowers are done. You have satin-stitched leaves, cord-stem outlines, a full ring of golden petals, and a dense brown seed center on each one.

   Tip: Watch this step If you plan to keep it in the hoop, run a bead of glue around the inner ring on the back and fold the excess fabric in so it never slips loose.