If you think embroidery is a quaint or tame activity, or that it's been forgotten and ignored by the art world, think again.
This age-old craft is nowhere near forgotten, and in fact, it's experiencing something of a renaissance as artists from all walks of life are putting their own unique spins on the craft.
We’ve seen some pretty amazingly talented stitchers here on LittleThings, like the artist whose embroideries spill out of the sampler, the artist who works on antique tennis rackets, and the incredible embroidered portraits that look just like oil paintings.
But they’re not the only ones. The artists we’ve rounded up below are showing the world that just like with pencils and paint, there’s no limit to what you can create with a needle and thread.
If you embroider, knit, crochet, or sew, you might find some serious inspiration from these artists. And if you ever thought needlework was boring, their work will make you see it in a whole new way!
Check out this great art below, and let us know which one is your favorite!
[H/T: BoredPanda]
Tiny Dangling Gardens
Artist Veselka Bulkan from Germany creates these adorable samplers that combine traditional embroidery and 3D felting art in the form of cute vegetables.
The unexpected little detail of the hanging veggie is a darling twist.
They would look perfect in a kitchen!
Embroidery On Unlikely Things
Can you embroider on a shovel? Probably not, unless you're Lithuanian artist Severija Inčiraskaitė, who brings stitchery to the objects least associated with sewing, like irons, frying pans, shovels, and even cars.
She works by punching a grid of holes into a metal surface, like these irons, and then cross-stitching inside them. The result makes you do a double-take, and you can't help but imagine a small needle poking right through the metal!
And even crazier? She does this on cars, too! Imagine seeing this driving down the street! While your mechanic might not be too pleased, this looks pretty cool!
Lacy And Delicate Natural Forms
Using dissolvable fabric, Meredith Woolnough creates embroidery sculptures. She stitches the design, then washes away the fabric to leave just the thread.
She's inspired by the tiny patterns found in nature, in everything from leaves to marine life to bacteria.
Because they have no backing fabric, her pieces are a totally new way to appreciate embroidery — as sculpture!
Stitches Where You'd Least Expect
Located in Lyon, France, the artist behind Urban X Stitch (read that as "urban cross stitch") likes to bring needlework to the urban setting. But instead of fabric, he uses the city's chainlink fences!
The result is impermanent street art that injects some surprising cuteness all around the city!
The project started in 2012, and since then, bright images made of thread and yarn have been popping up all over the city.
A New Way To Make Memories
Who needs a camera when you can stitch? That's the theory behind Teresa Lim's series "Sew Wanderlust," in which she embroidered tiny samplers of scenes from around the world.
Her travels took her all over the planet, and she stitches them right on the scene.
And as she continues traveling, she continues to make more!
Embroidery Gets Sporty
In a series called "Sporticulture," artist James Merry took the machine-embroidered logos on sportswear and gave it a botanical makeover.
The logos of well-known brands like Nike and Adidas suddenly become little gardens for flowers and mushrooms, turning the rugged, athletic symbols into something sweet and adorable.
Be sure to check out the other works by these incredible artists by clicking the links to their sites and social media, and let us know your favorite unconventional method of thread art!
And be sure to SHARE their amazing talents with your crafty friends!
