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In Praise of Embroidery: Tiny, Imperfect Stitched Details, 5 Ways

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In Praise of Embroidery: Tiny, Imperfect Stitched Details, 5 Ways

February 4, 2025

For months I’ve been noticing tiny embroidered details appearing all over: on socks and lampshades, on table linens and even cafe curtains. It’s a simple way to personalize a gift, spruce up a secondhand find, or freshen something you’ve tired of. (It’s also a sweet way to preserve a memory: Fan spotted, on Instagram, a dinner party where guests were asked to sign their names on the tablecloth; the host later stitched over each one in thread as a keepsake of the night.)

Here’s a peek at a few examples—in case you, like us, are inspired to try stitching your own. (And don’t worry: Your stitches needn’t be perfect. Unlike the fussy, machine-made monograms of yesteryear, today’s embroidered bits are a little appealingly wonky. It’s part of the charm.)

Napkins

from embroidery specialists ouevres sensibles: the serviette mot rouge napkin ( 17
Above: From embroidery specialists Ouevres Sensibles: the Serviette Mot Rouge Napkin (Red Word Napkin). Maker Sarah Espuete took cues “from the tradition of the ‘trousseau,’ a custom from the past where sheets, tablecloths, and napkins bore the intertwined initials of the betrothed, embroidered in red thread by the bride’s family”; the modern version features words like “Amour”, “Souvenirs”, and “Bon Vivant”. (For more, see Hand-Embroidered Table Linens from Oeuvres Sensibles in Marseille.)

Cafe Curtains

beloveds&#8\2\17; handwriting, preserved in stitches, as seen on a curtain  18
Above: Beloveds’ handwriting, preserved in stitches, as seen on a curtain at East London Cloth: Purveyors of Household Linens, Made to Last.
at cafe compagnon in paris, our friend gesa hansen had her brodeuse&# 19
Above: At Cafe Compagnon in Paris, our friend Gesa Hansen had her brodeuse friend Audrey Demarre embroider linen curtains with “tiny icons of coffee making.” Photography by Nathalie Mohadjer, courtesy of Gesa Hansen, from Calm, Protective, and Rosy: 12 Ideas to Steal from a Paris Cafe By Gesa Hansen.

Wooly Socks

hand stitched initials make even socks a little bit special. these are the garm 20
Above: Hand-stitched initials make even socks a little bit special. These are the garment-dyed Adult Tube Socks from Remodelista favorite Rudy Jude—sadly, no longer available (see: Rudy Jude: 12 Simple Ideas to Steal from a Mainer’s Thoughtful Shop in LA).

Lampshades

Above: A while back, I stitched tiny initials into the pleats of our DIY Pleated Lampshade, Budget Edition, like a tattoo for interiors. Photograph by Mel Walbridge for Remodelista.

Thrifted Shirt

a bit of thread is a low stakes way to freshen up a thrifted (or tired) shirt.  23
Above: A bit of thread is a low-stakes way to freshen up a thrifted (or tired) shirt. We’re followers of @thread.the.word on Instagram, who stitched this diminutive box of Yorkshire Tea on a vintage shirt for a customer.

More trends to try your hand at:

N.B.: Featured image via East London Cloth. This story originally appeared on January 8, 2024 and has been updated.

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