Embroidery Techniques: Illustrating with Needle and Thread
A course by Yolanda AndrésDesigner, Craft Artist, and Embroiderer
A course by Yolanda Andrés, Designer, Craft Artist, and Embroiderer
Learn to illustrate any image with a variety of embroidery techniques
Interested in exploring the possibilities of “painting” with thread? In this online course, Yolanda Andrés—an artistic embroiderer whose clients include firms and institutions such as Hermès, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and Carolina Herrera—teaches you how to recreate any image or object with a needle and thread.
What will you learn in this online course?
13 lessons & 9 downloads
materials
5 minutes, 47 seconds
Transfer a drawing
7 minutes, 19 seconds
Stitches groups
2 minutes, 20 seconds
Flat stitch 1
18 minutes, 27 seconds
Flat stitch 2
18 minutes, 35 seconds
Cross points
8 minutes, 52 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Yolanda, her work, and her influences before delving into her creative universe to see how she finds inspiration.
She then explains the materials needed to create your one-of-a-kind piece and shows you the value of recycling threads and fabrics.
Then, it's time to get started! Transfer your drawing directly onto the fabric and grab your needle and thread to practice the different types of stitches.
Start off with the flat stitch—the simplest stitch—followed by the backstitch, the satin stitch, satin stitch dots, the zigzag, and the long and short stitch.
Once you feel comfortable working with these stitches, move on to cross stitch, lattice work, and the interlocking stitches like blanket stitch, chain stitch, and loose chain stitch.
Lastly, Yolanda explains how to create knotted stitches, including French and bullion knots. Your teacher wraps up the course by discussing the limitless applications of embroidery and offers tips on how to take care of your piece.
What is this course's project?
Embroider any image using the different stitching techniques seen throughout the course. Yolanda uses an illustration of a rooster as an example, but you can use any image you like.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who is interested in transforming an object or image into a unique, hand-embroidered piece.
Requirements and materials
No previous knowledge of embroidery is necessary for the course.
In terms of materials, you need a needle, a thimble, embroidery scissors, different types of colored thread, cotton fabric, an aqua brush, a box cutter, an awl, tracing paper, and cardboard.
Reviews
- 8 months ago
muy buen curso
- 8 months ago
muy buen curso, muy detallado =)
- 9 months ago
El curso es excelente: muy bien explicado y una variedad de puntos considerable. La profesora no se entretiene en contar asuntos sin fundamento, va directamente a la enseñanza. El ejercicio final es muy compelto.
- 9 months ago
Very useful course,i recommnend it !
- traccedanimaPLUS10 months ago
Cosa si può dire di questo corso... che è entusiasmante, chiaro e che l'nsegnante è una persona che mi aguro di avere la fortuna di conoscere prima o poi dal vivo..mai dire mai no??? Questo suo entusiasmo e la sua professionalità luminosa caricano il cuore di gioia oltre che aiutare ad imparare quest'arte bellissima. Grazie infinite per questi video che riguarderò anche quando avrò finito il corso e postato il risultato o i risultati di questi preziosi insegnamenti. Grazie Yolanda!
Before focusing exclusively on embroidery, she served as art director for a communication agency for more than a decade. She currently runs her own workshop in the Lavapiés neighborhood of Madrid where she works on pieces for brands and institutions like Carolina Herrera, Zubi, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum shop. Additionally, Yolanda teaches classes at IED and the Escuela Superior de Diseño (ESD) in Madrid.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- My influences
- U2
Preparing to embroider
- materials
- Transfer a drawing
- Stitches groups
- U3
Approach!
- Flat stitch 1
- Flat stitch 2
- Cross points
- Interlaced points 1
- Interlaced points 2
- Knotted and highlighted points
- U4
Uses and care
- Applications of your embroidery
- How to take care of your embroidery
- FP
Final project
- Embroidery techniques: illustrating with thread and needle
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
This course is aimed at those with basic embroidery knowledge, making it perfect for anyone who has completed simple projects and wants to refine their skills and explore new creative possibilities.
You’ll need a variety of threads, fabrics like linen or cotton, embroidery needles, scissors, a thimble, and optional recycled materials. It’s also recommended to have tracing paper, water-based markers, and templates for transferring designs.
You’ll learn flat stitches, buttonhole stitch, chain stitch, French knots, bullion knots, intertwined stitches, plus techniques for blending threads, creating texture, transferring designs, and applying professional finishes.
Yes, the course includes instructions for embroidering on authentic linen, cotton, and alternative materials like wild silk, nettle fiber, and sheep’s wool, expanding your creative options.
The course teaches you how to combine threads of various colors and textures to achieve unique visual and tactile effects, and how to make the most of scraps and recycled materials.
Yes, you’ll learn several transfer methods, including tracing paper, water-based markers, cardboard templates, and tricks for marking fine details accurately on fabric.
By the end, you’ll be able to design and embroider custom pieces featuring modern motifs, typography, and animals inspired by Indian animal art, using both contemporary and traditional techniques.