9 Modern Hand Embroidery Patterns

Simple Geometric Embroidery

Simple lines and geometry are a hallmark of modern embroidery, and this free pattern from is a great place to start. All you need to know is how to make long straight stitches, and soon you'll have a piece of pretty stitching on your wall.

Geometric Stellar Embroidery Design from For the Makers

Diamonds & Flowers Stitching Design

This gorgeous pattern combines a diamond gemstone shape with a frame of fresh florals—two elements that repeatedly show up in modern embroidery. The juxtaposition of hard and soft lines make this an eye-catching design that will look amazing as wall art, on a tote bag, or even the back of a jacket. 

If all that fill stitching intimidates you, simply stitch the outlines for a different look that's just as striking.

Diamonds & Flowers Pattern from DMC

Mod Fig Embroidery Pattern

Fruit is a classic motif in embroidery, but this fig pattern by Kelly Fletcher Needlework takes a fresh approach. Part of a series of similarly-styled split fruit designs, the fig half has a fun pattern filling the inside. It's a simple design, and that's what makes it so bold and unique.

Axed Fig PDF Embroidery Pattern, $3, Kelly Fletcher Needlework

Geometric Succulent Terrarium Pattern

Succulents are as popular to stitch as they are to grow. This free pattern brings metallics, pastel colors, and geometric framing to the trend. The best part is, you don't even need a green thumb to have your own terrarium filled with pretty plants.

Modern Succulent Terrarium Pattern from The Spruce

Contemporary Mountainscape Sampler

Want to practice new embroidery stitches without making a stuffy sampler? This modern mountain sampler is the pattern for you. The pattern is free, plus you'll have the chance to work on six of the 15 stitches every embroiderer should know. 

Mountain Embroidery Sampler from Jessy Ratfink

Color-Filled Embroidered Tile Ornament

Anne from Lolli and Grace takes what could be seen as a traditional embroidery style, and turns it on its head to make something modern. She shares this brightly colored embroidered tile pattern, along with the instructions for making an ornament with the embroidery. 

Colorful Embroidered Tile Ornament from Lolli and Grace

Small World Tiny-Stitched Map

Based on the abstract painting style of artist Belinda Marshall, this beautiful pattern resembles a pastel map worked with tiny stitches. Each simple stitch is like a little brushstroke.

Transferring all those little lines could be overwhelming, but since this is a pre-printed fabric panel, you can start stitching right away!

Small World Printed Fabric Pattern, $22, Belinda Marshall

Geometric Bear Embroidery Design

This colorful satin-stitched bear from Bustle & Sew has a geometric shape that practically screams modern embroidery. While the lines make the bear more abstract, they have a sense of movement that brings the pattern to life. 

This pattern is free, but you do need to sign up for the Bustle & Sew newsletter to download it and others.

Geometric Bear Hoop from Bustle & Sew

Octopus Mask Embroidery Design

Sometimes modern embroidery isn't just about shapes and styles, but also working on a different or unusual subject matter. This octopus mask pattern definitely fits that description. Anastacia from Odd Ana Stitch fills her Etsy shop with patterns and kits of all kinds, and each one is unlike anything you've seen before. These are not your traditional embroidery patterns.

O is for Octopus PDF Pattern, OddAnaStitch