Free Embroidery Design: “To Be Yourself Is to Be Extraordinary”

Create modern embroidery art with this free transfer pattern for a vibrant, Pride-inspired quote design

Embroidery is a meditative craft that allows you to explore your creativity, but—more than that—for fiber artist Kristen Gula (@gulushthreads), it’s also an important form of self-expression. The founder of online embroidery platform Gulush Threads and author of 200 Embroidered Flowers, Kristen also creates vibrant and textured modern designs with meaningful messages.

Sharing one of her creations with the Domestika community, below Kristen offers an embroidery transfer pattern for her inspirational quote design, “To Be Yourself Is to Be Extraordinary”. Use the design as a template to build a piece of art that’s personal to you, and practice your embroidery skills.

A pattern that’s important to her as an expression of her identity, Kristen chose this design as the final project for her online embroidery course, where she teaches you how to stitch vibrant statement pieces from scratch.

Read on to learn how to transfer your pattern to fabric, and get experimental practicing embroidery techniques with Kristen’s suggestions for adding colors and textures.

Materials and tools you’ll need for this project

- Standard 10-inch embroidery hoop
- Linen blend fabric (Kristen uses black)
- Embroidery needles (Kristen recommends Chenille 18 & 22 needles)
- Fabric scissors
- Embroidery scissors
- Pencil and gel pen to transfer your pattern
- A mix of embroidery thread in different types and colors (Kristen recommends DMC, as a high-quality thread)

How to transfer your pattern: the lightbox method

Depending on your preferences, there are various techniques to transfer an embroidery pattern to fabric, including stenciling and using specialist materials like water-soluble transfer paper. Below, Kristen explains the lightbox method.

What is the lightbox method?

The lightbox method is where you place your pattern and embroidery hoop in front of a light source, so you can see the pattern through the fabric and trace your design. Follow the steps below:

1. Print your pattern onto thin paper, as this will allow more light through.

2. Set your pattern on top/in front of the light source—this could be an actual lightbox, an iPad, or a window.

3. Take your prepared embroidery hoop with the fabric in it, and turn it face down on top of the pattern. Make sure you can see your pattern clearly.

4. To trace your pattern, use pencil first to draft the outline, as it can more easily be rubbed off if you make a mistake. Then, go back over your design with a gel pen to finalize the pattern ready to stitch. Using the pen helps to ensure the pattern doesn’t get rubbed off or smeared. Use lighter color pens for darker fabrics and vice versa.

Stitches and techniques to try out

- Border: For the border, Kristen suggests using a combination of stumpwork techniques to create texture, including the turkey stitch and couching. She also recommends using a variety of thread options to build on the texture.

- Text: Kristen uses the whipped-back stitch, and satin couching for the cursive elements.

Download the free embroidery transfer pattern

After clicking on the download below, you’ll find the ZIP file titled Embroidery Transfer Pattern: To Be Yourself Is to Be Extraordinary, by Kristen Gula, in the Downloads file of your computer. You may need to use software, such as WinZip, to decompress the file. This pattern is for personal use only.

Sign up for Kristen Gula’s course Colorful Hand Embroidery 101: Learn to Stitch from Scratch.

Throughout the course, she teaches you how to create your own embroidery patterns, and guides you through the basics of learning creative embroidery techniques from your first stitches to the finishing touches.

Discover more online embroidery resources

- Make custom designs from photos, drawings, and more with six free online tools to create your own embroidery patterns.

- Learn new skills with a needle and thread by exploring our selection of 15 online creative embroidery courses for beginners.

- Watch this free online embroidery tutorial to make a hand-embroidered patch for canvas pouches, bags, or clothes.