10 Great Embroidery Artists to Follow on Instagram

From radical creators pushing the boundaries to haute couture fashion houses, get inspired by these incredible embroidery artists

Embroidery is a timeless and rich textile tradition that uses a thread and needle to create elaborate works of art, from fashion designs to decorative objects.

A big believer in the therapeutic powers of this handcraft—and the “emotional and cultural value” it gives to garments and objects—embroidery and embellishment designer Jodie Ruffle (@jodieruffle) creates intricate pieces, inspired by the elaborate embellishments seen in couture. But, whatever your style, the creative possibilities of the art of embroidery are endless.

From radical creatives pushing boundaries, to eco-conscious indie designers, to masters of delicate couture, in this article Jodie shares some of her favorite contemporary embroidery artists to follow on Instagram.

While Jodie’s love of couture has seen her work with fashion houses like Alexander McQueen, her focus on sustainable practices (like upcycling, which she teaches in her Domestika course) has also seen her collaborate closely with Fashion Revolution. All of these influences are reflected in the embroidery artists who inspire her designs…

1. Ellie Mac Embroidery

UK-based designer Ellie Mac (@elliemac.embroidery) creates vintage-inspired embroideries for both fashion and editorial projects. Her collection of patches, appliqués, and wall art are made using a Vintage Irish Singer and a Juki free-hand machine.

2. Embellished Talk

As well as crafting beautiful hand-sewn embroidery and embellishments (and an Instagram feed that you could scroll through for hours), @embellishedtalk’s founder Rebeckah Kemi Apara set out to create a community for creatives to “learn about textiles through the professional and personal stories of interesting people, artists, and designers.”

Via her Instagram, the freelance textiles designer also shares tutorials and tips, and she runs creative workshops to teach people embroidery skills.

3. Ipnot

Pushing the boundaries of what you might think of as embroidery art, Japanese creative Ipnot (@ipnot) creates radical 3D works of art using thread, a hoop, and (often) a prop to add an interactive element. Think textile noodles pulled from bowls, pizza with stringy cheese, ketchup pouring out of a bottle, and lots more—all of which you can ogle on Instagram.

Plus, check out her YouTube channel for some playful ASMR and stop motion videos featuring her miniatures.

4. The Sustainable Sequin Company

If you want to incorporate a bit of sparkle into your designs, but without the harmful environmental footprint that materials like sequins can often leave, check out the works of the Sustainable Sequin Company (@thesustainablesequincompany).

Founded by designer Rachel Clowes, the SSC creates collections using recycled PET—and there’s also a biodegradable sequin film in the works. Clowes was inspired to launch the company after exploring the wasteful lifecycle of special occasion wear while studying Fashion and the Environment (now MA Fashion Futures) at London College of Fashion.

5. Nadia Albertini

Seek out inspiration for your next fashion project with a little help from embroidery artist, designer, and historian, Nadia Albertini (@nadia_embroidery).

Compiling a collection of beautiful and intricate embroidered designs from the history of haute couture, Albertini uses her Instagram account to showcase detailed pieces that have shaped the world of high fashion—think the 1949 Miss Dior dress and works by fashion designer and embroiderer, René Bégué.

6. Stacey Jones

Drawing inspiration from nature, space, and the night sky, British textile artist Stacey Jones (@bystaceyjones) “explores life through thread”. As Jones shares on her Etsy profile, she started embroidering in 2017 as a way to ease her anxiety after her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Today, her contemporary, hand-embroidered artworks demonstrate her experimental and distinctive style, in which she plays with color, shape, textures, and patterns—and she donates 10 percent of her sales to the cancer charity Sarcoma UK.

7. Queen of Sequins

The “Queen of Sequins”, Kate William (@kategwilliam) creates sequin designs that translate everyday items into beautiful decorative pieces. As she puts it, “from lobsters to loo roll” she makes “all of your mundane faves made into sparkly art.”

8. Hand & Lock

This long-running, London-based embroidery house has been around since 1767, creating intricate embellishments for high-profile clients—from the British Royal Family to iconic European designers.

Hand & Lock (@handandlocklondon) is also behind the annual international embroidery competition, The Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery, and founded an embroidery school all with the goal of “inspiring the next generation of embroiderers.”

9. Atelier Montex

Established in 1939, Atelier Montex (@ateliermontex) is a Paris-based embroidery house creating contemporary designs using traditional techniques for Chanel collections.

All the intricate pieces are made using hand stitching and the famous hand-guided Cornely embroidery machines—which are now over 100 years old.

10. Ecole Lesage

For more inspiration from the fashion capital of the world, get a look at the works-in-progress and finished projects by students from France’s prestigious school and atelier, Ecole Lesage (@ecolelesage). The school is run by France’s iconic and opulent embroidery house, Maison Lesage.

Inspired by the creations of these incredible embroidery artists? For more, Jodie Ruffle also recommends checking out the Instagram accounts of embroidery designer and master class teacher Elena Zavrazhina, amateur embroidery artist brodeurbear, textile and material designer Carolyn Raff, artist Claire Wellesley-Smith, and The London Embroidery Studio.

If you want to learn how to renew your garments with beaded embellishments using flat and 3D techniques, check out Jodie Ruffle's course, Fashion Embroidery: Embellishing with Beads.

Discover more embroidery and craft inspiration

1. Explore all of Domestika's online embroidery courses to discover new techniques, styles, the theory behind the craft, and lots more.

2. Learn how to make your own patch that you can attach to canvas pouches, bags, or clothes in this free hand-embroidery tutorial.

3. From embroidery to tie-dye, revamp your wardrobe and join the slow fashion movement with these clothes upcycling tutorials.