Finding Your Own Style Through Stitch: Collecting Inspiration from the Garden

One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “How do I find my own embroidery style?” The answer isn’t about buying the latest supplies or copying what’s popular online. It starts with something much simpler—learning to really look at the world around you.

For me, the garden is one of the greatest sources of inspiration.

Whether it’s a single flower beginning to bloom, the intricate veins of a leaf, the textures of bark, or the flutter of a butterfly landing nearby, nature is filled with tiny details waiting to be stitched. Spending time outdoors encourages you to slow down and notice colours, shapes, patterns and textures that you might otherwise overlook.

Start Collecting Inspiration

You don’t need a perfectly manicured garden or acres of countryside. Inspiration can come from a window box, a local park, an allotment, or even the weeds growing between paving stones.

When something catches your eye, collect it in a way that works for you:

● Take photographs from different angles.

● Sketch simple outlines in a notebook.

● Press leaves or petals (where appropriate).

● Write down colour combinations that stand out.

● Make notes about the textures you see and how they might translate into thread.

These observations become your own personal inspiration library that you can revisit whenever you’re starting a new embroidery project.

Looking Beyond the Obvious

Instead of trying to stitch exactly what you see, ask yourself:

● What shape draws my eye?

● Which colours make this interesting?

● How could I simplify this into stitch?

● Which embroidery stitches could recreate this texture?

A rose doesn’t have to become a realistic embroidered rose. Perhaps it’s the spiralling petals that inspire a new stitched motif, or the soft blend of pinks and creams that becomes your next colour palette.

Developing your own style often comes from interpreting nature rather than copying it.

Experiment Without Expectations

Finding your style takes time. Allow yourself to play.

Try stitching the same leaf using different stitches. Experiment with unexpected thread colours. Combine hand embroidery with appliqué, fabric layering or mixed media. Keep samples of everything you make—even the pieces that don’t work as planned often spark ideas later.

The more you experiment, the more you’ll begin to notice recurring themes in your work. Perhaps you love delicate botanical details, bold graphic flowers, textured seed heads or flowing organic lines. These repeated choices gradually become part of your unique creative voice.

Keep a Stitch Journal

One of the best habits you can develop is keeping a creative journal dedicated to your embroidery journey.

Include:

● Garden photographs.

● Fabric and thread swatches.

● Sketches.

● Stitch samples.

● Notes about techniques you’ve tried.

● Reflections on what you enjoyed creating.

Over time, you’ll see your confidence and style evolve naturally.

Nature Changes with the Seasons

One of the joys of taking inspiration from the garden is that it never stays the same.

Spring brings fresh greens and blossom. Summer is full of vibrant blooms and buzzing insects. Autumn offers rich earthy tones, berries and seed heads, while winter reveals beautiful branch structures, frost patterns and subtle textures.

Returning to the same garden throughout the year provides endless inspiration for new embroidery projects.

Trust Your Creative Journey

There is no right or wrong embroidery style.

Your favourite colours, the stitches you naturally reach for, and the subjects that excite you all become part of what makes your work recognisably yours.

The next time you step into a garden, don’t rush. Pause, observe and collect inspiration. The smallest details often become the most meaningful stitches.

At Felicity Alice, I believe embroidery is about more than creating beautiful work—it’s about slowing down, observing the world differently and telling your own story through thread, one stitch at a time.