Mexican embroidery - 12 Patterns to embroider

Mexican embroidery

The mexican embroidery They represent the essence of hundreds of native communities, artisans and various ethnic groups.

The main characteristics of this embroidery technique originating in Mexico are the brightness of the creations, the great variety of colors used and the use of thick lines. Large designs and floral and animal motifs are very common in this type of handmade embroidery..

The most used stitches in Mexican embroidery

Some of the most used stitches in Mexican embroidery are: the stem stitch, the shadow stitch, the flower stitch, the French knot, the square stitch and its variations. can also be used other types of embroidery stitches, differentiating the work of each artisan.

First steps with Mexican embroidery

Mexican embroidery appears mainly on tablecloths, but it can also be applied to various other pieces of daily use. Among them are handbags, cushion covers and clothing.

Materials used for embroidery

Look here what you need to get started in this type of embroidery:

• Adjustable frame to support the fabric.
• Lines of your choice (usually bright)
• crochet hook; tapestry needle and common sewing needle
• embroidery scissors
• embroidery risk
• Erasable pen or 6B pencil to transfer the line
• fabric to embroider

Mexican embroidery is very popular and has a lot to do with the experiences of local communities. How about knowing some tips on this type of work?

The fabrics

Note that Mexican embroidery can be done on any type of fabric, but it is important that it is tight plot. Cotton fabrics are the most suitable, such as burlap, for example.

The threads

To make Mexican embroidery it is possible to use any type of thread. However, the main feature of this type of embroidery is its brightness. For this reason, when creating your figures, bet on metallic and shiny threads, which can be easily found in any haberdashery.

When embroidering, use a large thread, so you will have fewer spikes and your work will have a “cleaner” back. Plus, the less you cut, the less work you'll have.

Tip: In Mexico the stitches are made with very thick threads. For a similar effect, the stitches here are usually double threaded (two threads passed through a tapestry needle). In some cases, such as when embroidering small details, only one thread is used.

Designs for Mexican embroidery

To guide all your embroidery, you should take a chance on the design of your choice, before starting any work. To do this, place the paper with the risk under the fabric and draw on it. Next, we present 12 beautiful designs for Mexican embroidery:

Design for Mexican embroidery - birds and flowers:

Floral motifs...

A creative idea to embroider colorful flowers...

Beautiful design to embroider cushions...

The drawing and the colors...

Tip: Remember to use a different color of thread for each part of your drawing.

Beginners can also draw several vertical and horizontal lines on the fabric, going from one side of the design to the other, to form a kind of grid. It is these marks that will guide the passage of the lines. For these two steps, use a 6B pencil or a fabric marker that erases after washing the piece.

the frame

The embroidery hoop holds the fabric flat and taut, making it easier to embroider. Its size should be chosen according to the area of ​​the fabric to be embroidered.

Now that you know how to use the main materials to make Mexican embroidery, you can't help but put this technique into practice and make striking pieces, either to sell or to make your home more welcoming.