The best embroidery kits and patterns to try: 18 unusual options for the weird and wonderful
Embrace your inner (or outer) quirkiness with these unusual embroidery kits and patterns. Find all the weirdest and most wonderful embroidery designs to spark your creativity and produce something truly unique.
Embroidery inspiration can come from almost anywhere! These patterns are no different, often rooted in nature and art, and are the perfect balance of weird and beautiful. From fluffy moths and sarcastic sentiments to tiny mushrooms, we have projects to nurture your alternative style.
With a mixture of embroidery kits and instantly downloadable patterns, you’ll find something to suit all stitchers and abilities. The majority of the designs included on this list are suitable for beginners but can be enjoyed by seasoned stitchers too.
Without further ado, let's discover your next unique embroidery project.
18 unusual embroidery kits & patterns
1. Snarky embroidery pattern
Sometimes it's not all ‘live, laugh, love’. Certain situations just require a snarky comment. Embrace your inner sarcastic nature and stitch one of these hilarious yet slightly rude embroidery sentiments. Be warned though, this embroidery is definitely not suitable for kids.
The book contains ten designs to choose from that can be transferred onto your fabric using an iron. They are super easy to transfer, so you’ll be ready to stitch straight away. Who wouldn't want to stitch a sarcastic pigeon? It's the perfect grumpy crafter project!
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2. The Death Head moth embroidery pattern
You might recognise this moth from the famous film The Silence of the Lambs. This moth's upper abdomen is adorned with a skull-like marking, thus giving the moth its creepy name. If you’re a lover of all things macabre, you’ll definitely see the beauty in this design. Download the PDF instantly, then grab your stash and get stitching right away.
- Buy now, Etsy
3. Embalming embroidery pattern
Beautiful vampires, creepy old books and a drop of humour. This gothic embroidery sees a vampiress sitting and reading a book on embalming (we know, dark). Stitched completely in black threads, you’ll find real beauty in the detail when you’re stitching.
The fabric comes pre-printed with the design, so you simply need to follow the lines with your stitching. Only the fabric is included in this kit, so you’ll need the other materials in your stash.
- Buy now, Etsy
4. Snake and flowers embroidery pattern
Snakes make for very unusual pets and can also make for great alternative embroidery! This design mashes pretty and creepy in the best way. The beauty of the flowers mixed with the snake eating its own tail is jarring yet vibrant.
Use bright colours and bold stitches to make something truly eye-catching.
- Buy now, Etsy
5. Mystical Stitches by Christi Johnson
Do you thrive on anything mystical? If you’re a witch at heart, this embroidery book is for you. It's jam-packed with beautiful designs, including powerful symbols and magical beings.
With over 100 different motifs to create, readers will have endless combinations for their stitching. Not only will you be inspired to stitch, but the book also teaches you about meditation and how to use embroidery to become more mindful.
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6. Funny cat embroidery kit
If you love cute embroidery but want something different, this is the embroidery kit for you. The kit comes with four adorable designs of cats doing what they do best – being silly and getting up to mischief!
The projects are ideal for beginners because the patterns are pre-printed on the fabric. The kit has everything you need to stitch these sweet and funny designs, including instructions, fabric, threads, needles, embroidery hoops, scissors, and needle threading aid.
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7. Floral embroidery kit
This beautiful kit combines painting and stitching to create a breathtaking design inspired by the Cornish coast. The pre-printed fabric is already adorned with stunning shades of blue, green and purple, ready to be stitched on. Build up the design using a range of stitches and embroider gorgeous wildflowers swaying in the sea breeze.
The kit has everything you need to start stitching right away and also gives you the option to add a 9-inch embroidery hoop.
- Buy now, Etsy
8. Bath-themed embroidery kit
Celebrate body positivity and see yourself represented in this modern embroidery kit. The pattern is defined as a ‘choose your own adventure’, meaning you can personalise the design to suit your style. Choose whether to have hair on the legs, muscles, painted toenails, or tattoos – you do you!
Everything you need is included in the kit, and you’ll find a variety of thread colours too.
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Quirky and cute mushrooms
Mushrooms are inherently unique and fascinating. It’s no wonder they appear in lots of alternative artwork. Stitch up our medley of adorable fungi with our free mushroom embroidery pattern.
9. Modern abstract embroidery kit
Do you love to create texture in your stitching? This tactile design uses fibres to produce a three-dimensional style. The design has an autumnal aesthetic thanks to its use of natural colours. The fabric itself is a natural canvas, giving an ideal backdrop to the autumnal threads.
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10. Moon and moth embroidery kit
Moths aren't for everyone, but these insects are vital to the ecosystem. So let’s celebrate this nocturnal winged creature!
This duo of designs sees a fluffy textured moth and a shining moon stitched on midnight blue fabric. Both are embellished with sequins to add extra texture and vibrance.
- Buy now, John Lewis
11. Quirky owl embroidery kit
This quirky and cute owl looks like he's fallen straight out of a storybook. The design will be a delight to stitch and would be ideal for a kid's room once finished.
You’ll find all the kit in the box to stitch this charming owl, packaged neatly in a plastic-free box!
- Buy now, Cotton Clara
12. Crocodile embroidery kit
You mean you’ve never seen a crocodile with a pelican sitting on his nose wearing a party hat and eating a goldfish? Well, you’ve been missing out. This quirky and fun embroidery hoop designed by DMC will fill your world with child-like whimsy!
It will be a fabulous piece to stitch up for a kid's room. It will easily spark the imaginations of your little ones – which adventures will they go on with Mr Crocodile and his pals?
- Buy now, Etsy
13. 'Sod off' embroidery ki
Sometimes you need a little bit of sarcasm to get you through! This funny embroidery is sure to make anyone who sees it giggle – pop it in your hallway for a great conversation piece. This kit contains everything you’ll need to finish the hoop and hang it up, ready to pass on the hilarious message.
- Buy now, Etsy
14. Tattooed arms embroidery kit
Although tattoos are more mainstream than they used to be, you still rarely see them represented in embroidery designs. This design features flower tattoo-adorned arms wearing a chunky knitted jumper in beautiful autumnal shades.
This embroidery kit would make a gorgeous gift for embroidery fans and tattoo lovers alike.
- Buy now, Stitch Happy
15. Feminist embroidery kit
Celebrate your body with these beautiful embroidery kits. Choose between the designs of a female body covered in leaves or of a woman's head that is sprouting with flowers.
The kit includes everything you need and is an ideal project for beginners. Plus, it's also a fantastic way to uplift women!
- Buy now, Etsy
16. Tiny mushroom embroidery PDF
There’s something quite quirky about a mushroom! And these mini mushroom motifs are no different. Thanks to the multitude of mushroom species and their unique sizes and shapes, they make a brilliant subject for stitching.
Celebrate the humble mushroom, and use up your scraps of thread with this lovely downloadable design.
- Buy now, Etsy
17. Tin of sardines PDF pattern
This design of sardines in a tin is simply fin-tastic! Download the digital pattern to stitch yours today, then display it in your home for a playful piece of decor and a guaranteed conversation starter. With embroidery this cute, you won't have to fish for compliments!
- Buy now, Etsy
18. Enchanted village PDF pattern
Explore an enchanted village filled with tree houses, toadstools and whimsical blooms while stitching this magical design. This embroidery project is guaranteed to ignite your imagination and is perfect for fantasy fans who love immersing themselves in another world.
- Buy now, Etsy
Embrace your unique style with embroidery
Embroidery can be a true reflection of your artistic style and can allow you to express your personality through stitching. Choose an embroidery kit or pattern that suits you, and don’t forget you can change elements in it to make it bespoke. We know folk like you don’t colour inside the lines!
Keep it quirky with Gathered's dinosaur embroidery
Ready for some roar-some embroidery? Stitch up a trio of fun dinosaur patterns created by Jessie Doe. Make them into unique pendants once you’re finished stitching.
