Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone With Paper Embroidery

I’ve been stitching on fabric for years, but embroidery on paper has always intrigued me. So, I finally decided to give it a try! I ordered some beautiful handmade watercolor paper and a simple beginner set of paints—nothing fancy, just enough to experiment.

Now, I’m definitely not a painter (unless watching a couple short YouTube tutorials counts!), so I wasn’t sure how this would turn out. But I was curious, and sometimes that’s enough to get started.

Here’s how it went:

Honestly? Not bad for a first try! They’re not perfect, of course, but I think the mix of thread and paint came together in a way that still feels like me. That said, I quickly realized I’m still very much a fabric girl at heart. I missed the glide of the needle and the freedom to use any stitch I want.

Still—it was fun to play. And I can definitely see myself coming back to paper and paint again someday. Here are some things I learned along the way:

Paper embroidery is great if you like to frame your work

If you usually display your embroidery in a frame (instead of a hoop or wearable piece), stitching on paper is worth trying. I used 300 GSM watercolor paper—it’s thick and sturdy, and it handled the needle surprisingly well. No bending, no tearing. And the final piece is super easy to pop into a frame.

Your stitch choices are limited

Not every stitch translates well to paper. I used a practice sheet to test what worked first. French knots looked the best to me, and backstitch, running stitch, and chain stitch all worked nicely, too. Surface stitches like whipstitch, couching, and bullion knots are also solid choices.

You will need an awl

This was probably the most helpful tool I used: a fine-tipped awl to poke holes before stitching. Otherwise, the needle is tricky to push through, and it can bend the paper. The awl makes the whole process so much smoother.

Tracing paper is your best friend

Here’s a tip I found really helpful: Lay tracing paper over your painting, sketch out your stitch lines, and use the awl to poke through both the tracing and the watercolor paper at once. It keeps your spacing consistent and saves you from having to guess where your needle should go.

So… have you ever tried embroidery on paper? Or maybe you’ve been curious too, but haven’t jumped in yet? I’d love to hear what you think—or if you have any favorite materials, techniques, or tips.

Happy Stitching!

—Jennifer (aka Bloom and Floss)

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New Pattern Alert!

I added this new watermelon pattern to my Etsy shop this weekend! Like most of my patterns, it uses several different stitches—7 in total!—and has loads of texture. Each pattern includes a transfer template, DMC colors, step by step instructions, and detailed photos. Enjoy!