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Three Step Embroidered Flowers

Updated: Jun 22, 2021

In this post, I'll show you how to achieve three step embroidered flowers! These flowers are super simple to draw, and super simple to stitch - even if you're a total beginner, I promise!


A photo of three flowers stitched in yellow, blue, and green floss onto white cotton fabric.
Three step embroidered flowers are easy, fun, and a great excuse to play around with color!

This post includes written and photo instructions. There's also a video demonstration, should that be easier for you to follow. If you'd prefer to recreate these flowers with a PDF pattern (which includes a pattern for transfer, specific DMC color codes, and stitch guide), you can find that in my shop.


Preparing your design


I'm using a pattern from my shop that I transferred onto my fabric using the window method. If you're using your own design from a simple drawing, you'll be able to follow these same steps so long as your flower has petals and a center!



Step 1: Satin stitch your petals.


The first step for these flowers is to satin stitch your petals. For larger petals, I'll start by stitching myself guideline stitches, which helps me to fill in my shape more consistently.


I'm using all six strands of cotton embroidery floss for this step. You can use as many strands as you like!



After stitching guidelines, I can start to fill in my shape.



Here's what my petals look like once I'm finished satin stitching them all:



Step 2: Add highlights to your petals using straight stitch.


Bring your needle up through the center of your flower and down through your satin stitches, about halfway up your petal. These straight stitches will form your highlights, giving your petal a bit more dimension and interest!


I'm using just two strands of cotton embroidery floss for this step, but you can use however many you like!



Here's what my flower looks like after adding the straight stitches:



Step 3: Add French knots to the center of your flower.


I like to do my French knots last because it allows me to cover up any uneven stitches I made toward the center of my flower. This way, all I have to worry about while satin stitching in step 1 is that I have clean lines along the outside edges of my petals.


I'm using just two strands of cotton embroidery floss in this example, and wrapping my needle three times.



And here's what my final flower looks like!



Video demonstration


Here's a video tutorial of me demonstrating the three steps, just in case it's easier for you to follow!



And here's what my final design looks like, once I've finished stitching all three flowers!



Finishing your project


Once you've finished stitching, it's time to frame and back your hoop. I stitched my flowers in a 4" hoop because it's easier for me to stitch in and film, but I'll be framing the flowers in a 3" hoop.



Before assembling my hoop, I like to press my fabric down over the inner hoop; this helps me to be sure I'm centering my design correctly.



If you're reframing your project like me, make sure your fabric is nice and tight!



Once I'm sure my design is in the right position and my fabric is nice and tight, I'll trim around the edges of my fabric. If I don't trim the fabric, it might be so long that it causes small bumps to form on the front of the hoop - and I don't want that!





I hope this was helpful! Happy stitching!


Your new favorite hobby awaits with these beginner-friendly embroidery kits!

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