Table of Contents
Introduction to Photo Embroidery
Photo embroidery blends the precision of photography with the tactility of thread. It can be bold and graphic, or delicate and painterly—either way, it’s immediate, approachable, and uniquely expressive. In the video, the artists show both canvas and paper approaches, plus a joint art piece where two distinct styles meet in one frame.
What is photo embroidery? It’s straightforward: you print a photo on canvas or paper, sketch a design, then stitch directly through the print. You can spotlight features, conceal them, or build patterns and florals as dimensional overlays.
Why choose photo embroidery?
- It transforms a flat image into tactile, mixed-media art.
- It invites collaboration between the photo’s composition and your stitches.
- It’s accessible to beginners yet rich with creative depth.
Preparing Your Photo and Canvas
Selecting the perfect photo Choose an image with clear shapes and strong contrast so your stitches read distinctly. The video doesn’t specify resolution or paper stock—only that a chosen photo gets printed for stitching—so pick a photo you’re excited to enhance.
Printing on canvas or paper - Canvas: The video shows a photo printed on canvas and then stretched for embroidery.
- Paper: The host also tries embroidering on a printed photo (paper), demonstrating a few extra precautions to avoid tears.
Stretching your canvas If you’re working on canvas, you can buy a pre-stretched frame—or, as shown, stretch your own. Walker often replaces the pre-stretched canvas with a type he prefers for embroidery (the video doesn’t name a specific weave or brand). Lay your printed canvas face-down on a protective cloth, pull it taut with pliers, and staple it to wooden stretcher bars. The cloth barrier prevents the stapler’s pressure from marking the image.
Watch out
- Don’t staple directly on a bare table under your image—use a cloth underlay to avoid pressure marks.
- Uneven stretching leads to distorted stitches. Re-tension before stapling if needed.
Quick check Your canvas should feel drum-tight and even across all edges.
Designing and Stabilizing Your Work
Sketching your embroidery design Use a white gel pen or a Sharpie to draw lines and shapes directly on the photo. The artists sometimes work from references for accuracy, but freehand is also fair game. The goal is a clear stitch roadmap so you know where thread will add color, line, or texture.
Essential stabilization techniques Stability is a game-changer. The video demonstrates a simple setup: a ruler that spans beyond the canvas width, secured with metal clamps. Small cloth pieces under the ruler protect the surface. This allows you to keep the canvas from shifting, freeing both hands to stitch efficiently.
Pro tip Stabilizing your piece lets you push from the top and pull from below with a rhythm that feels natural—fewer fumbles, more flow.
From the comments Some viewers asked about commercial stands or clamp systems like you might find online. The video sticks to a DIY ruler-and-clamps approach and doesn’t name specific products.
Embroidery Techniques for Success
Splitting thread for detail Walker splits floss every time. Why?
- Detail: Fewer strands create finer lines and smaller holes.
- Efficiency: You use less thread per stitch and get cleaner results through tight canvas.
To split: let the loose end hang so the strands naturally unwind—hold it with tape (or gently with your teeth) while you separate bundles, like three strands from the standard six. Verify your split is even and tangle-free before threading the needle.
From the comments Several experienced stitchers shared variations on splitting: isolate a single strand and pull it straight up while holding the rest. It may look like a tangle mid-pull, but it often relaxes once separated.
Protecting your hands Frequent pushing can bother your ring finger (especially the knuckle). The artists wrap a small piece of tape around the pushing finger; the middle finger guides from the top. Thimbles aren’t discussed in the video, but tape protection is—and it speeds up work without discomfort.
Mastering needle placement White pinholes or stray pokes can distract from your design. To avoid them on canvas, rest the needle tip on your index finger underneath, near the nail. That fingertip becomes a guide—so when you pierce upward, you land exactly where you intend.
Quick check Are you leaving unintended dots on the surface? Slow down, guide from beneath, and place each entry deliberately.
Embroider using both hands (canvas) With the canvas stabilized, push from above with one hand, pull below with the other, and feed the needle back up in a smooth rhythm. This two-hand method doubles your effectiveness and keeps stitches consistent.
Watch out If your thread isn’t split, you’ll pull more bulk through the canvas, which can enlarge holes unnecessarily.
Side note for machine-curious readers The video focuses on hand embroidery. If you’re exploring machine embroidery ecosystems separately, many readers also ask about accessories like magnetic embroidery hoop to simplify hooping. That’s beyond the scope of this tutorial, but worth researching if you migrate to machine work in other projects.
Finishing Touches and Artistic Expression
Cleaning up the back of your piece Canvas is tightly woven, so Walker doesn’t tie off after every color change. The dense embroidery tangles loose ends into the work naturally. Once finished, flip the canvas and trim any very long tails if you’d like a tidier back. No brand or thread-weight specifics are given—just the principle that the weave often holds.
Adding shadows and depth A small amount of shading can make embroidery pop. In the video, a Copic marker adds soft shadows to create subtle relief around stitched flowers. For pinholes on canvas, a mechanical pencil can gently nudge them closed; paint could also work, though it’s not demonstrated. Light, controlled shading goes a long way.
Embroidering on paper: a unique challenge Paper requires mindfulness. The host embroidered a printed photo and learned a few things:
- Pre-poke holes from the top—especially with thicker stock—so you always know where the needle will emerge.
- Place holes with intention. Getting too close can tear; it happened a couple of times, but careful spacing kept most areas intact.
- Stabilize the photo while stitching (the video shows a simple clamp setup).
From the comments
- A viewer warned that standard printer paper ripped badly for them—thicker paper or careful pre-poking may help. The video does not name paper weights.
- Some suggested backing the photo with fabric to reinforce it; this approach is not demonstrated in the video.
Troubleshooting pinholes on canvas
- Use the fingertip guidance trick to avoid stray punctures.
- If pinholes appear, lightly press them in with a mechanical pencil; consider subtle shading where appropriate.
Creative direction: color and style The collaboration segment is a blueprint for creative play—two people sketching and then embroidering opposite sides with different palettes, interpretations, and finishing moves. Let that encourage you to remix your own references.
From the comments Multiple viewers loved the collaboration format and asked for more. The artists mention they may continue doing collaborations and learning exchanges in future videos.
Expand Your Skills with Skillshare
Why online learning is key for creatives Even experienced stitchers learn from observing others. In the video, the host talks about how working with Walker surfaced new techniques—from thread-splitting to two-hand rhythm—that changed his own approach.
Recommended embroidery classes The video mentions that online classes (including embroidery on photos) can offer alternate techniques. No specific instructor names beyond those shown onscreen are added here, but the point is to keep learning and experimenting.
Exclusive offer for our readers In the original video, there’s an offer related to Skillshare. We’re not reproducing that here; check the video’s description for any current promotions.
From the comments: rapid-fire Q&A
- Fixative on prints? The video doesn’t mention a fixative; it focuses on protecting the surface when stretching, and on clean needle techniques while stitching.
- Canvas type? Walker prefers swapping the default pre-stretched canvas for one he likes better, but the video doesn’t specify a type or brand.
- Needle details? The video shows a standard embroidery needle in use; sizes and types aren’t specified.
- Can this work on Polaroids or Instax? The video doesn’t address instant film specifically. Paper behavior varies—pre-poke carefully and test on a scrap or non-precious print first.
A note for machine-embroidery explorers Again, the video is entirely hand-stitched. If you work across both worlds, readers often cross-shop accessories like magnetic embroidery frames or a snap hoop monster to speed hooping. You’ll also see chatter about magnetic hoops for embroidery and alternatives such as dime snap hoop in the machine space. Keep in mind that those tools are for machine setups—not used in this tutorial—yet can complement your broader embroidery practice.
Choosing your next project Start with an image you don’t mind experimenting on. Draw lightly, split your floss, stabilize well, and take your time with needle placement. Add shadows sparingly. If you’re new to stitching altogether and thinking of learning machines later, some beginners start by surveying an embroidery machine for beginners—but the tactile control you learn by hand will always serve you, even if you go digital or mechanical later.
Creative sidebar: mixing media
- Pencil for pinholes: gentle, targeted
- Marker for shadows: subtle depth
- Thread weight: split to taste
- Collaboration: try a tandem piece—swap sketches, swap palettes, swap interpretations
Final thought Photo embroidery is both forgiving and personal. You’re not just covering pixels—you’re revealing them in thread. Start small, be kind to your fingers, and build from there. And if you branch into machine work for other pieces, it’s fine to be curious about tools like mighty hoop—just remember, the magic here is handmade.
From the comments: applause and encouragement Viewers praised the creativity, shared thread-splitting tricks, and loved the two-artist format. A familiar refrain: “I feel like I can do this now.” That’s the signal to print a photo, grab your floss, and make your first stitch.