Traditional methods
Crewel Embroidery is a traditional form of embroidery using wool. It was very popular in Britain in the 17th Century. Traditionally it is a free form type of embroidery that is stitched on a fabric stretched tautly on an hand held embroidery hoop.
Crewel embroidery creates a raised, dimensional feel to the work and traditionally a tightly woven ,firm fabric would be used to support the weight of the stitching.
There are many beautiful embroidery stitches are used in crewel work to create a textured and colourful effect some of which are
- French knots
- Seed stitches
- Satin stitches
- Stem and chain stitching.
Crewel embroidery was often seen in upholstery fabrics and curtains .
Modern techniques –
Still in the hoop but now on an embroidery machine and we now use Machine Embroidery Thread instead of wool.
Our ‘in the hoop’ technique still requires the fabric to be stretched taut in the embroidery hoop but now the embroidery machine can replicate the beautiful crewel stitching at the flick of a switch.
https://swpea.com/products/bom-block-of-the-month-crewel-quilt-block-1
https://swpea.com/products/bom-block-of-the-month-crewel-quilt-block-2
We are going to be making a Block of the Month quilt with a different quilt block released each month.
There will be 12 different rectangular blocks to make.
The idea is to use each block once and make a wall or lap quilt but you could include multiple of the same block if you choose to make a much larger quilt.
We recommend you use a plain background fabric for this quilt. We are going to be using white for all our backgrounds but you could use black or coloured backgrounds if you choose.
The blocks are quilted in the hoop.
Full photo instructions and directions on how to sew the block are included with your purchase .
We will be adding instructions on ‘How to add the sashing, borders, backing and binding to the BOM quilt soon.
SVG and FCM files are included for the Silhouette and Scan n Cut machines.
Instructions are included in English and German.
Crewel bird and flowers bag 5×7 6×10 in the hoop machine embroidery design

A beautiful embroidered Crewel design of a bird and flowers is on the bag.
This design is an ITH in the hoop machine embroidery design. The side and top borders and lining are added with your sewing machine. Do not worry though, it is easy with our f ull photo instructions and directions which are included with your purchase.
The design comes in two sizes – the 5×7 and 6×10 hoops. Both sizes are included in your purchase. The bag is completely lined and has no raw seams.
Finished sizes are:
5×7 – 30.5cm wide, 23cm high and 10cm deep (12” x 11” x 4”)
6×10 – 36cm wide, 32cm high and 10cm deep(14.5” x 13” x 4”)


Will all the block of the month blocks be in the “crewel” style?
That is correct! For the Crewel BOM all 12 blocks will be of the “Crewel” style.
Does this design use special threads? Beautiful!
Hi. We used regular machine embroidery thread .
We used regular machine embroidery thread for this design
Wish you had 4×4 designs too.
Hi Linda!
We unfortunately don’t have the Crewel bird and flowers bag in the 4×4, however we do have a number of other designs which can be done in the 4×4 hoop.
Here’s a link to all of our designs which can be done in the 4×4 hoop: https://swpea.com/collections/4×4-in-the-hoop
They always explain everything very well. The instructions in the designs is great and elaborate. I thank you very much for that.