I’m not sure who started the whole “stitch-a-day” idea but the 365 days of embroidery stitching has been catching on around the internet, especially on Pinterest and Instagram.

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Because of the sudden interest this year, my blog here has exploded with interest in my “how to” post from last year. You can read it here if you don’t quite know where to start with a year long embroidery project.

Let’s get started…

Just Be in 2023 – A free Year Long Embroidery Project

To start with, this project will print on a full size paper (8.5″x11″), so you will need extra fabric to accommodate the project at the end of the year in a frame. I would suggest you fit your project into an 18″x24″ frame but you are welcome to choose any frame size you want. Or go wild and come up with your own way to display your artwork at the end of the year.

I always use muslin to stitch my projects, but again, get creative and have fun. Maybe your jeans would look awesome cut up and stitched on. Or make a tea towel.

Download and print off the pattern onto a standard 8.5″x11″ piece of paper. Then employ what transfer method works best for you. I tape my patterns onto a light box and then tape the fabric on top of the pattern and begin tracing with my iNee pens onto the fabric.

Place fabric in hoop. I use this hoop to hold such a big project – Hand U Journey The hoop seems a bit awkward at first but you won’t have to keep moving a small hoop around and denting your fabric. I’ve found that the larger frame is a godsend.

List of items you’ll need

• Fabric 18″x24″
• Embroidery scissors
• DMC floss in your choice of colors
• Printer (to print the PDF pattern below)
• Fabric hoop
• Fabric pens to trace your pattern
• Light box or sunny window
• Your imagination to fill the blank spaces with fun little things to represent what’s going on in your life during 2023. Here’s an excellent book to give you ideas. Click here

The pattern is intended for you to personalize your own way. Each area that’s blank (right side of each month) is the area in which you are intended to stitch an icon representing your day. There is one area for each month during the year. If you need more areas to stitch, may I suggest you leave off the abbreviated words?

The colors I chose to make the pattern are black and red, but you can change the colors to reflect your own personality and decor.

If you choose to stitch using this pattern, would you please tag me on Instagram at @nanabumblebee_embroidery I would LOVE to see how creative your year turns out to be.

A couple more suggestions before you go:

You can also read how to get cheap or free embroidery supplies if you’d really like to give a year long project a try but aren’t sure you can afford to, or you just need ideas of where to get creative supplies. Click here for that quick to read article.

If you’re looking for other inspiration besides this pattern, check out last years year long stitching project that I made for myself. Click here

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