Embroider a rose
Embroider a rose on fabric using embroidery floss, a needle, and a hoop; learn simple stitches like backstitch, satin stitch, and French knots.
Step-by-step guide to embroider a rose
Step 1
Place your fabric in the embroidery hoop and tighten the screw so the fabric is smooth and taut.
Step 2
Draw a simple rose shape with a few petals and stems on the fabric using the water-soluble fabric marker.
Step 3
Cut an 18-inch length of embroidery floss with the scissors.
Step 4
Separate the cut floss into three thin strands by gently pulling them apart.
Step 5
Thread one of the three strands through the needle and tie a small knot at the end of the thread.
Step 6
Use backstitch to sew the rose stem and the outlines by bringing the needle up at the start point then inserting it forward and coming up ahead to fill the gap, repeating to make a neat continuous line.
Step 7
Cut another 18-inch length of floss in your petal color with the scissors.
Step 8
Separate the petal floss into three strands and thread one strand through the needle then tie a small knot.
Step 9
Use satin stitch to fill each petal by bringing the needle up at one edge of a petal and inserting it down directly across at the opposite edge to make long flat stitches that sit close together.
Step 10
Cut a short 6-inch piece of contrasting floss with the scissors and thread it through the needle and tie a small knot.
Step 11
Make French knots for the rose center by wrapping the thread twice around the needle then inserting the needle back near the original exit point while holding the wraps tight, and pulling through to form a small knot on the fabric.
Step 12
Trim any loose thread tails and tuck or tie them at the back of the fabric to secure your stitches.
Step 13
Gently dab the marked lines with a damp cloth to remove the marker if your marker is water-soluble.
Step 14
Allow the fabric to air dry completely before touching it again.
Step 15
Take a photo of your finished embroidered rose and share your creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have an embroidery hoop, water-soluble fabric marker, or standard embroidery floss?
If you lack an embroidery hoop tape the fabric to a flat board or use an old picture frame, substitute a pencil or tailor's chalk for the water-soluble fabric marker to draw the rose, and use a single strand of thin yarn or stranded cotton without separating if standard embroidery floss isn't available.
My satin stitches look uneven or there are gaps in the petals—what should I check?
Make sure the fabric is smooth and taut by tightening the hoop screw as in step 1, use the recommended 18-inch floss lengths to avoid fraying, bring the needle up and down directly across each petal edge so stitches sit close together, and keep an even thread tension while filling the satin stitch areas.
How can I adapt this embroidered rose activity for younger children or older kids?
For younger kids, use a large plastic needle and whole 6-inch or thicker yarn with a simple rose outline drawn in pencil and supervise scissors use, while older kids can separate the floss into three strands, practice finer satin stitch petals and backstitch stems, and try more French knots for texture as in the instructions.
What are some ways to enhance or personalize the finished embroidered rose?
Add leaves with backstitch, use variegated or mixed-color floss for shading, sew a few beads into the French-knot center after wrapping the thread, trim and secure loose tails at the back as directed, then dab away marker lines and photograph your embroidered rose to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to embroider a rose
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Facts about embroidery and hand sewing
🪢 A single French knot is made by wrapping the thread around the needle once or twice before pulling it through to make a tiny raised dot.
🪡 An embroidery hoop keeps fabric taut so your backstitches and satin stitches lie flat and neat.
🧵 Embroidery floss usually comes as 6-strand cotton that you can separate to use anywhere from 1 to 6 strands for different thicknesses.
🌹 Roses are one of the most common motifs in embroidery — Victorian samplers often featured stitched roses as symbols of love.
🎨 Satin stitch fills shapes with smooth, closely packed stitches — it's perfect for creating shiny rose petals.
How do I embroider a rose on fabric?
What materials are needed to embroider a rose?
What ages is embroidering a rose suitable for?
What are the benefits of embroidering a rose?
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