This hoop design blends embroidery with mixed-media creativity, telling the story of a skeletal bride and groom standing side by side.
The skeletons themselves are stitched with clean, simple lines, while the details like the lace veil, the red floral accents, the bouquet bring the piece to life.
Specially, using lace fabric for the veil gives the design depth without requiring advanced embroidery skills. The black fabric backdrop makes the white stitches pop beautifully, while the touches of red add warmth and symbolism.
Materials Needed
- 1 embroidery hoop (8″-10″)
- Black cotton or canvas fabric (cut 3″ larger than the hoop)
- White embroidery floss (2-3 skeins)
- Red embroidery floss
- Green embroidery floss
- Embroidery needle and scissors
- Small piece of white lace
- Optional: beads or sequins
- Felt backing
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Stretch your black fabric tightly into the embroidery hoop. The dark base will help all the stitches and lace details stand out clearly.
Step 2: Lightly sketch two skeleton figures side by side with chalk or a fabric pencil.
You should keep the bones simple including straight lines for limbs, small circles for joints, and a heart-shaped ribcage for charm.
Step 3: Use white embroidery floss with a backstitch to outline the skeletons.
Start with the skulls, then move down to ribs, arms, and legs. Also, keep your stitches small and steady so the lines look clean.
Step 4: Add red French knots around the bride’s head to create a flower crown.
For the bouquet, you can stitch small red knots clustered together, with green stitches as stems. You can even attach a few beads for sparkle.
Step 5: Cut a piece of lace or tulle slightly larger than the bride’s outline. Then stitch or glue it gently across her head and shoulders to form a veil.
Step 6: Once all elements are in place, check the back of your hoop and secure any loose threads with knots. Add a felt backing if you want a polished finish before hanging.
Tip: Don’t worry about perfectly symmetrical bones as slight unevenness adds character. If you want a personal touch, stitch initials or a small date under the skeletons to make it a true keepsake.