How to make an embroidered bookmark

Create this modern and adorable embroidered bookmark with a cute owl design to keep your books safe!

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Matilda Smith

Published: January 20, 2022 at 10:00 am

There's nothing like settling down with a good book and a cup of tea! We all know we can't stay there forever though (no matter how much we might like to) so a bookmark is called for. Discover our beautiful (and totally free) embroidered bookmark pattern exclusive to Gathered from the makers of Love Embroidery! This pattern features a colourful and wide-eyed owl perching amongst some flowers. We can confirm he will keep your page in your book.

This bookmark is finished using a sewing machine, so you will need one of those to hand, however, never fear if you do not have one but you're already a dab hand at sewing then you can do so by hand. The lovely thing about this bookmark is there are no set colours, you can use any colour you like for the fabric and likewise for the thread, meaning you could make a few (birthday present stash anyone?).

This embroidered bookmark design is suitable for beginners but it does use a variety of stitches, be sure to check out our helpful guide to embroidery stitches for beginners, if you need a hand getting started. If you are new to embroidery or simply need a little refresh, take a look at our embroidery for beginners guide which contains everything you need to get started on the embroidered wall hanging.

Design by Matilda Smith and stitched by Heather Nugent originally featured as part of the iron-on transfer cover gift from issue 21 of Love Embroidery.

Stitches key for the embroidered bookmark

Embroidered bookmark materials:

  • Cotton fabric: 25x25cm, light blue
  • Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of blue, brown, green, pink, dark red, white and yellow
  • Embroidery hoop: 15cm diameter
  • Sewing machine with matching thread
  • Basic embroidery kit

Free embroidered bookmark template

You’ll also need the free embroidered bookmark template.

embroidered bookmark with an owl pattern

You will need:

  • Cotton fabric
  • Stranded cotton
  • Embroidery hoop
  • Sewing machine
  • Basic embroidery kit

Step 1

Mark out a 17x5cm rectangle onto the back of your large fabric panel and then transfer your designs onto the front of the fabric within that area using your preferred method. Begin by using brown to work the body outline in Backstitch and the stomach lines in Straight Stitch. Using blue, work the wing outline and feather tips in Backstitch and the eye outline in Stem Stitch, adding the dividing segment lines using Straight Stitch. Fill the eye with white using Satin Stitch.

Step 2

Complete the owl’s face by working the beak in yellow Satin Stitch and the brow line in Backstitch using pink.

Step 3

Now fill in the pattern on the wing with dots in yellow using French Knots and the lines in Straight Stitch using pink and the stripes in Brick Stitch in red.

Step 4

Moving onto the flowers, use green to work the stems in Backstitch, the solid leaves in Satin Stitch and the looped leaves in Lazy Daisy Stitch. Work the flowers in French Knots using yellow or red.

Step 5

Trim around your rectangle with a 5mm seam allowance. Cut out a matching piece of fabric from the excess fabric and pin it with the right sides together. Stitch around the outside along the marked line, leaving a 3cm gap along one of the long edges for turning. Turn through, iron and then top stitch around the outside of the bookmark about 2mm from the edge.

More like the embroidered bookmark

We hope you loved this gorgeous embroidered bookmark. Do you love creating things for your home? Don’t miss our tea towel embroidery, perfect for brightening up your kitchen! Feeling a little whimsical? Try this constellation embroidery or the star embroidery for some surreal patterns. If you’re a nature lover check out the mushroom embroidery pattern or the bee embroidery. Want to relax in the evening, try this beautiful wildflower design. If you’re also looking to delve into machine embroidery or would like to find out more about it take a look at our guide to the best embroidery machine. 

Matilda Smith

Illustrator & Designer

Matilda is a graphic designer by day and an illustrator by night. She draws inspiration from folk art and traditional crafts, and enjoys knitting and cooking. Find Matilda on Instagram @matildartsmith
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