This embroidered hoop is more than décor, it’s love made visible. Every loop of thread is a reflection of care, shaping the outlines and clothing of the people you hold closest.

Specially, the beauty is in the simplicity: faceless figures that somehow capture the essence of your family better than any staged photo.

It’s quiet, thoughtful, and deeply meaningful, a craft that grows more precious with time.

Materials Needed

• 1 embroidery hoop (8-10” diameter works best for a family of 4-6)
• 1 piece of cotton or linen fabric (12” × 12”, to allow room for hoop)
• Embroidery floss in at least 6-8 colors (skin tones, hair shades, clothing colors)
• 1 embroidery needle (size 5 or 7, sharp tip)
• Embroidery scissors (4-5” small sharp pair)
• Water-soluble fabric marker or pencil
• Printed family photo (4” × 6” size)
• Optional: backing fabric (12” × 12”)

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Choose a photo of your family that highlights body outlines and clothing. Then print it in a size that matches your hoop for easier tracing.

Step 2: Place your fabric over the printed photo against a window or lightbox.

You now trace the outlines lightly with a water-soluble marker, focusing on clothing shapes and hairstyles instead of fine facial details.

Step 3: Stretch your fabric tightly into the embroidery hoop, making sure it’s smooth and firm like a drum. This will prevent puckering when you stitch.

Step 4: Begin stitching the clothing first, using satin stitches or long-and-short stitches for filled areas. You can select colors that match the photo or add your own creative twist.

Step 5: Move on to hair, layering thread in small, directional stitches to mimic texture. Don’t worry about perfection as slight variations give personality.

Step 6: Outline the bodies and arms with a simple backstitch to define shapes. The faceless style makes this portrait unique, so leave the faces blank for a minimal, modern aesthetic.

Step 7: Once the stitching is done, trim excess fabric from the back and glue or stitch a backing fabric to keep it neat.

Now, add your text (“Our Family,” names, or a date) at the bottom using a split stitch or backstitch.

Tips: If embroidery feels intimidating, start with a smaller portrait of just two people. As you get more comfortable, you can add more figures.