Free Seashell Applique and Embroidery Patterns

By
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson is a professional needlecrafter with over 10 years of hands-on embroidery, sewing, and knitting experience. She is the author of “Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big & Small." Mollie also designs and sells stitching projects, co-hosts a crafting podcast, and has taught online embroidery courses.
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Updated on 10/02/20
Pastel Embroidered Felt Seashell Designs

The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

This collection of stitched seashells lets you enjoy the fun of the shore no matter where you are. Use the patterns as a group or as single shells, and choose if you want to fill in the areas with felt appliqué like the sample or stitch them with traditional embroidery in one or more colors. There are lots of ways to use the finished designs, from home decor to fashion accessories.

Pattern

You can stitch the downloadable seashell embroidery pattern just as you see it, or you can separate the shells to use one or a few rearranged. You can also embroider the shells with your favorite stitches or use appliqué to make them bold and colorful. On the pattern, the thick lines are for cutting the appliqué pieces and the thin lines are for embroidery. However, if you only want to embroider, you should stitch all the lines.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Iron
  • Washable glue stick
  • Embroidery hoop
  • Needle

Materials

  • Freezer paper
  • Wool or wool blend felt
  • Linen or other base fabric
  • Embroidery floss

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pattern

    To cut out the shells and transfer the pattern, use a variation of the tracing paper method. Print out the shell pattern at whatever size you like. Trace the pieces you want onto the paper side of freezer paper. If you're making felt shells in several colors, group the traced pieces by the felt color you want to use. Cut the pattern pieces apart and iron them, slick side down, to the felt.

    Traced Freezer Paper Pattern on felt
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

  2. Arrange the Seashells

    Cut out the felt shapes and leave the paper attached. Place your base fabric in an embroidery hoop and arrange the shells. If you want to add embroidered coral and seaweed, you can trace those patterns on freezer paper and arrange them too, then iron them to the fabric. Use a bit of glue stick to hold the shell pieces in place while you stitch.

    felt seashells arranged on fabric
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

  3. Embroider the Shells

    Use three strands of embroidery floss to stitch the details on the shells. Stitch through the felt and the paper at the same time. Some details show obvious choices for stitches: running stitch, french knots, and straight stitches. For others, you can use your favorites, such as chain stitch, back stitch, or stem stitch.

    felt shells being embroidered
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

  4. Remove the Pattern Paper

    When the embroidery is finished, carefully tear away the paper. Don't pull too hard or you'll tug at your stitching. If the paper doesn't want to tear away, use your needle to perforate or score the paper. You can also use tweezers to remove stubborn bits of paper.

    paper torn away from felt shell
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

  5. Appliqué the Edges

    Secure the edges of the felt shells with tiny stitches and two strands of embroidery floss. Bring your needle up through the linen and close to the felt. Go back down through the felt. Use matching embroidery floss and very small stitches so they don't show too much.

    Needle piercing edge of felt seashell
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

  6. Add Extra Embroidery

    Embroider the small coral and sea plants. If you use freezer paper for this, the process is the same as with the appliqué. Stitch through the paper and then gently remove it when the embroidery is done. You can also use another transfer method if you prefer.

    Coral Embroidered With Chain Stitch Between the Felt Shells
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

  7. Enjoy Your Finished Embroidery

    With your embroidery and appliqué finished, you can display your stitching on a stretched canvas or make it into another project! These shells would be beautiful on pillows for your beach house, stitched on a drawstring bag, or even made into a wall banner. Of course, they would also look great stitched individually on clothing or made into pins or patches. 

    Pastel Embroidered Felt Seashell Designs
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson