Some designs are playful, and others are simply beautiful. This week, I’ve been working on a piece that leans firmly into the latter — a nature-inspired decorative embroidered bumble bee, brought to life with soft textures, elegant detail, and a touch of metallic gold that catches the light just so.
The Idea Behind the Bee
Bumblebees are gentle symbols of the natural world — peaceful, industrious, and quietly essential. With this design, I wanted to highlight those qualities, using delicate detail and careful stitching rather than bold colours or novelty. The result is a soft, refined piece — something you could frame, gift, or stitch into a keepsake.
The wings, outlined in gold metallic thread, are the star of the show. Their soft shimmer adds just the right amount of richness to the neutral palette.
Stitching Techniques
This design uses a simple but effective combination of stitches:
- Satin stitch fills the bee’s body with a smooth, raised texture that creates a soft, rounded shape.
- Back stitch defines the legs and outlines subtle details, giving the design structure without heaviness.
- French knots form the tiny eyes, finishing the piece with character and precision.
The contrast between the matte, filled stitches and the shimmering metallic wings gives the piece a lovely balance — simple but full of texture.
Finding Inspiration in Nature
Many of my embroidery designs begin long before the fabric and thread — they start outdoors, often through the lens of my camera. As a hobby photographer, I love capturing small moments in nature: the shimmer of a wing, the curve of a petal, the contrast of light on moss or bark. These details often guide my colour choices and stitch textures. The bumble bee design, for instance, was inspired by a photo I took in late summer, where the bee’s wings glinted gold in the low evening sun. Photography helps me observe closely, and those quiet details become the foundation of my nature-inspired embroidery work.
Designed in Procreate
All my embroidery pieces begin in Procreate, where I sketch, refine and experiment with shape and symmetry. For this bee, I paid particular attention to the flow of the wings and the spacing of the body stripes — I wanted every part to feel considered and calm.
Designing digitally also allows me to test colour combinations and stitch placements before a single thread touches fabric.
More to Come: Bee on a Pillow
This embroidered bee is just the beginning. I’m planning to appliqué it onto a handmade pillow, combining embroidery with soft furnishings for a unique home décor piece. It’s the kind of detail that turns everyday items into something truly special — and a lovely way to bring nature-inspired hand embroidery into the home.
I’ll be sharing more about the pillow project soon, so keep an eye out if you’re looking for gentle, handcrafted décor ideas.
Explore More Nature-Inspired Designs
If you enjoyed this piece, I’d love for you to explore more of my nature-inspired embroidery designs. From delicate florals to woodland animals, each one is thoughtfully created with a similar blend of hand-stitched detail and natural charm. You can view a selection of my finished pieces and embroidery kits in my Etsy shop, or browse the full design portfolio on my website for more inspiration and upcoming projects.
