Punch needle - how to create original embroideries in relief

Punch Needle is the new trendy technique for embroidering very original and fun shapes. It is a way of weaving beautiful relief designs into fabric with applications as varied as you can imagine.

It is very easy, suitable for any level, even if you know absolutely nothing about embroidery, in no time you will be able to start making punch needle and knitting on fabric such beautiful and attractive motifs as this one:

With the punch needle technique you can create beautiful pieces in a very short time to design cushions, bags, paintings... and countless other projects.

How is punch needle embroidery done?

The punch needle technique is very simple: it consists of poking the embroidery fabric with a punch needle as if it were an awl. As easy as that! And you can't imagine the striking results that can be achieved with this simple, quick and entertaining technique.

On the back of the fabric, the set of raised thread loops will remain, giving that 3D and fluffy effect to the project.

You can also create beautiful images by combining right and wrong sides, i.e. parts of the drawing that are smooth and parts of the drawing that are in 3D. Play with these combinations to create spectacular images. For example, a landscape in which the clouds are in 3D on a flat sky.

The size of the raised loops depends on the length of the needle, so you can also play with different possibilities in the sizes of the loops.

What is the punch needle used for?

The most striking thing about the punch needle technique is that you can get drawings with a lot of relief and a spongy feel, the effect is super striking, colorful and original. You can create modern, abstract or not drawings, and get endless ideas.

The result can be used for any type of project, from decorative objects to fashion accessories such as a bag or a coat.

What threads can be used for punch needle embroidery?

We can make our Punch Needle projects with any type of thread, from our DMC Mouliné Thread to a ball of wool. The difference will be in the thickness of the thread and the result of the drawing. Depending on what we want to embroider, one type of thread or another will look better. The fluffy effects with greater relief are achieved with balls of thick thread, for knitting needles of approximately number 4 to 6.

What can you draw with punch needle?

With punch needle you can create images of all kinds. You can make combinations of abstract shapes and colours or draw motifs and images, create landscapes, geometric shapes, figures, animals, flowers, words... anything you can think of.

What do I need to embroider with the punch needle technique?

To knit with punch needle, you will need:

1. Punch needle

Punch needles are hollow needles with a pointed tip, which are used to pierce the fabric for embroidery. The thread we use passes through the inside of the needle.

2. Embroidery fabric and frame

The punch needle technique is used on fabrics for embroidery or cross-stitch, with holes, so that the punch needle can be inserted comfortably through the fabric. In order to work the fabric correctly and given that it has to be taut, you will need a frame on which to place and hold the fabric.

3. The embroidery thread

Depending on the project you are going to do, choose the appropriate thread or ball for your work. It can be an embroidery thread or a ball for knitting.

Video tutorial for punch needle embroidery

Below we leave you a tutorial in which you can see in detail how to make a work with a punch needle. You will be surprised at how easy it is and how quickly you can achieve results as cool as the photos we have shown you.

Buying materials for punch needle

In our online store you can get the materials to carry out this fun technique.

Visit the PUNCH NEEDLE section here.