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Home / Adult Projects / Embroidered United States of America

Embroidered United States of America

by Nancy Bandzuch · 34 Comments

embroidered United states of America

Hi friends!

Today I have another embroidery project to share with you–one that I am really proud of: An Embroidered United States of America.  

Before I dive into the tutorial, I want to be totally honest.  

I did not come up with this idea.  I saw a project very similar to this one on Pinterest…but…

When I clicked on the link I ended up, nowhere.  

It seems that an Etsy shop was selling embroidered United States, but that Etsy shop doesn’t exist anymore?

Well, after searching and coming up with zero I decided to stitch one up myself.  

It’s really easy.  

Even someone who is a very beginner embroider would easily be able to complete this project.  

It takes some time (like all good things) but the process is very simple.

Want to make one yourself?

How to make an Embroidered United States of America

Supplies:

  • Neutral, non-stretch fabric
  • Iron-on Interfacing
  • Water soluble marker
  • Digital Map of United States
  • Embroidery Hoop
  • Variety of Embroidery Thread Colors
  • Navy Cotton Fabric
  • Polyfil
  • Sewing Machine

This embroidery project is just a whole lot of Satin Stitch.  

Now, if you’ve spent any time around this blog, you know that I love and use satin stitch OFTEN.  

Like here and here and here.  

I love satin stitch because it allows you to fill in an entire area quickly and it shows off all of the beautiful colors that embroidery thread comes in.

A quick recap, in case this is your first attempt at Satin Stitch.  

Satin stitch is just a series of parallel stitches that stretch the length of any given area.  

The intend is to completely fill the area.  

When I do satin stitch I usually use 3 or 4 threads at once.

us embroidery how to

The first step of this project is to prep your material.  

Iron-on interfacing to the back of your neutral non-stretch material.  

Then, pull up a picture of the United States on your computer screen.  

I would recommend finding a picture the doesn’t have all of the names written in.  

This will make the next step easier.  

Once you have the image to the size you want, tape your fabric to the screen and, using the water-soluble marker, trace the outline onto your fabric.  

Try to be as detailed as possible.

Then, start stitching.  

Review the satin stitch details above.  

Use a variety of colors and allow your stitches to go in a variety of directions.  

This will add texture and interest to your work.

It takes a little time, but just keep stitching, just keep stitching, just keep stitching!

us embroidery how to 2

As a final step, I made my embroidery into a pillow.  

The process here is pretty simple.  

First, wash away the water-soluble marker.  

Then, trim the sides of the fabric, so that it is a straight rectangle.  

Next, cut two-inch strips of navy material.  Sew a strip on the top and bottom of the embroidery.  

Then, trim so that the sides of the embroidery are even with the sewn-on strips.  

Next, sew on a strip to each side.  

Iron all seams flat, and trim, if necessary.  

Finally, cut out a rectangle of navy material that is identical to the rectangle you have created with the embroidery.  

With right sides in, sew around the outside, leaving a small opening.  

Flip to right sides are out, and push out the corner.  

Fill with polyfill.

I found that it was better to really stuff the pillow full than to underfill it, as with will keep the stitches pulled tight.

Then, hand stitch shut the opening.

Ta-da!

embroidered united states of america 2

I hope you consider giving this project a shot.  It really is easy, and I love how mine turned out

Thanks for stopping by

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Comments

  1. Warner Brown says

    January 7, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    Nice plow and lovely work embroidery design
    Thanks for the sharing

    Reply
  2. Warner Brown says

    January 6, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    This is the nice work for embroidery
    Thanks for the sharing information.

    Reply
  3. Warner Brown says

    January 6, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    This is the nice work

    Reply
  4. Pelar says

    November 11, 2020 at 10:03 am

    This is absolutely beautiful are they available to purchase ?

    Reply
  5. Lynn Amato says

    July 28, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    Would you be willing to re create your USA emboridery pillow for sale?

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      July 28, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      Yes! Message me on etsy and we will work out the details! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoSmallThingsWLove

      Reply
  6. Becky PS says

    June 5, 2014 at 11:36 am

    Love it Love it Love it!!!

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      June 5, 2014 at 4:10 pm

      thanks!

      Reply
  7. Linda Bee says

    March 14, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    What size is the map you chose?

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      March 14, 2014 at 10:36 pm

      It is totally up to you, but I used one that was about 10 inches wide

      Reply
  8. Rebecca says

    February 15, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    This is fantastic! I tried to embroider a US map but it was a disaster. I was just doing a back stitch outline but I didn’t use a sturdy enough fabric or any interfacing so it was puckering up where I stitched. And I had the hardest time with the smaller east coast states, I just gave up. It looks amazing with the satin stitch!

    Reply
  9. sezy says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    OMG…put Alaska in the right place please!!

    Reply
  10. Cindy deRosier says

    December 3, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    I’m the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your project! You can see it here:

    http://funfamilycrafts.com/embroidered-united-states-america/

    If you have other kid-friendly crafts, we’d love it if you would submit them. If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above. Thanks for a wonderful project idea!

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      December 5, 2013 at 3:29 pm

      Wow–I’m thrilled! Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  11. Sonja says

    November 27, 2013 at 11:14 am

    This is such a fun idea and I love how beautiful your pillow turned out. Makes me want to try it myself 🙂

    Reply
  12. Kayla @ Home Coming says

    November 19, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    This is so nice. You did a really great job!! I’m hosting a pillow cover giveaway that you should enter. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/11/michelle-dwight-designs-pillow-cover.html

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      November 20, 2013 at 10:14 am

      Thanks–and thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  13. Havalah says

    November 18, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    i love this! i really want to try this now

    Reply
  14. Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts says

    November 7, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    this. is. amazing!

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      November 7, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      Ahh, gee, thanks!

      Reply
  15. Priya says

    November 6, 2013 at 11:24 pm

    I love it! So colorful and lovely.

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      November 7, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      Thank you! It was fun to make.

      Reply
  16. Kadie says

    November 6, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    I LOVE this Nancy!! What a creative idea! I would love to make one with all the states my kids were born in filled in. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      November 6, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      That’s a really creative idea, Katie! where they all born in different states?

      Reply
  17. Susan says

    November 5, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    Lo-oove this embroidery project. I’m thinking I want to do one of just my home state. Or one of the US with only the states we’ve lived in filled in. Hmmm, you’ve got the wheels turning.

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      November 5, 2013 at 11:32 pm

      Do it, Susan! In fact, I made this for my sister, who is married to a guy in the military. They have lived all over the US, so I thought it was perfect for them! If you made something, i’d love to see it!

      Reply
  18. Marcee ... ILLINOIS says

    November 5, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    Aww. So nice. You’ve inspired me! Not sure if I would be talented enough to do this project though.

    Love looking at it. : )) Colors make me smile.

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      November 5, 2013 at 11:31 pm

      You are totally talented enough to do this! It is much easier than it looks!

      Reply
  19. Dianna L. says

    November 5, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    This is amazing, Nancy!

    Reply
    • Nancy Bandzuch says

      November 5, 2013 at 11:32 pm

      You’re so sweet, Dianna!

      Reply

Trackbacks

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    April 25, 2014 at 10:22 am

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    March 28, 2014 at 6:13 am

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