Needlecrafts Embroidery

9 Modern Hand Embroidery Patterns

Small World Printed Fabric Pattern
Belinda Marshall

The term modern embroidery can mean a lot of things, but it always involves new and interesting styles and patterns. Modern embroidery often includes geometric shapes, simple lines, abstracts, and even a dose of fresh florals.

No matter what your personal style is, dive into these modern embroidery patterns and get ready to stitch something with a whole new look.

  • 01 of 09

    Simple Geometric Embroidery

    Geometric Stellar Embroidery Pattern
    For the Makers

    Simple lines and geometry are a hallmark of modern embroidery, and this free pattern from is a great place to start. All you need to know is how to make long straight stitches, and soon you'll have a piece of pretty stitching on your wall.

    Geometric Stellar Embroidery Design from For the Makers

  • 02 of 09

    Diamonds & Flowers Stitching Design

    Diamonds & Flowers Pattern
    Gulush Threads / DMC

    This gorgeous pattern combines a diamond gemstone shape with a frame of fresh florals—two elements that repeatedly show up in modern embroidery. The juxtaposition of hard and soft lines make this an eye-catching design that will look amazing as wall art, on a tote bag, or even the back of a jacket. 

    If all that fill stitching intimidates you, simply stitch the outlines for a different look that's just as striking.

    Diamonds & Flowers Pattern from DMC

  • 03 of 09

    Mod Fig Embroidery Pattern

    Axed Fig Modern Fruit Pattern
    Kelly Fletcher

    Fruit is a classic motif in embroidery, but this fig pattern by Kelly Fletcher Needlework takes a fresh approach. Part of a series of similarly-styled split fruit designs, the fig half has a fun pattern filling the inside. It's a simple design, and that's what makes it so bold and unique.

    Axed Fig PDF Embroidery Pattern, $3, Kelly Fletcher Needlework

  • 04 of 09

    Geometric Succulent Terrarium Pattern

    Modern Succulent Terrarium Embroidery
    Mollie Johanson

    Succulents are as popular to stitch as they are to grow. This free pattern brings metallics, pastel colors, and geometric framing to the trend. The best part is, you don't even need a green thumb to have your own terrarium filled with pretty plants.

    Modern Succulent Terrarium Pattern from The Spruce

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  • 05 of 09

    Contemporary Mountainscape Sampler

    Modern Mountain Embroidery Sampler Design
    Jessy Ratfink

    Want to practice new embroidery stitches without making a stuffy sampler? This modern mountain sampler is the pattern for you. The pattern is free, plus you'll have the chance to work on six of the 15 stitches every embroiderer should know

    Mountain Embroidery Sampler from Jessy Ratfink

  • 06 of 09

    Color-Filled Embroidered Tile Ornament

    Contemporary Stitched Tile Ornament Project
    Lolli and Grace

    Anne from Lolli and Grace takes what could be seen as a traditional embroidery style, and turns it on its head to make something modern. She shares this brightly colored embroidered tile pattern, along with the instructions for making an ornament with the embroidery. 

    Colorful Embroidered Tile Ornament from Lolli and Grace

  • 07 of 09

    Small World Tiny-Stitched Map

    Small World Printed Fabric Pattern
    Belinda Marshall

    Based on the abstract painting style of artist Belinda Marshall, this beautiful pattern resembles a pastel map worked with tiny stitches. Each simple stitch is like a little brushstroke.

    Transferring all those little lines could be overwhelming, but since this is a pre-printed fabric panel, you can start stitching right away!

    Small World Printed Fabric Pattern, $22, Belinda Marshall

  • 08 of 09

    Geometric Bear Embroidery Design

    Geometric Bear Embroidery Pattern
    Bustle and Sew

    This colorful satin-stitched bear from Bustle & Sew has a geometric shape that practically screams modern embroidery. While the lines make the bear more abstract, they have a sense of movement that brings the pattern to life. 

    This pattern is free, but you do need to sign up for the Bustle & Sew newsletter to download it and others.

    Geometric Bear Hoop from Bustle & Sew

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  • 09 of 09

    Octopus Mask Embroidery Design

    O is For Octopus Embroidery Pattern
    OddAnaStitch

    Sometimes modern embroidery isn't just about shapes and styles, but also working on a different or unusual subject matter. This octopus mask pattern definitely fits that description. Anastacia from Odd Ana Stitch fills her Etsy shop with patterns and kits of all kinds, and each one is unlike anything you've seen before. These are not your traditional embroidery patterns.

    O is for Octopus PDF Pattern, OddAnaStitch