Assisi Embroidery and Assisi Embroidery Patterns

Assisi embroidery is a unique form of counted stitch embroidery.  It is based on an old Italian needlework style where the design is outlined and the background is stitched, leaving the design blank and the background filled in.

This embroidery style looks much like wooden cut-outs and is quite beautiful.

More information about Assisi embroidery below includes articles on the history of Assisi embroidery, historical samplers, and informative books and pamphlets with more history and sample patterns.

One can also find an Assisi embroidery pattern for machine embroidery, although nearly all Assisi embroidery is done as handwork. 

What is the history of Assisi embroidery?

Assisi embroidery originated in Italy in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was a simpler style compared to the traditional Italian bright and colorful embroidery. 

Assisi was worked on fine linen cloth with the outlines of the designs and the background embroidery done in colored silk.

Ancient Assisi embroidery had traditional designs of birds or other animals with intricate and elaborate scrollwork surrounding the designs.

Assisi embroidery. (2023, June 12). In Wikipedia. 

Most of the Assisi embroidery was used for religious articles such as altar cloths.

By the 16th century the Assisi embroidery became very popular and included a wider range of designs including mythical creatures and demons.

Later, the art of Assisi embroidery fell out of popularity until it was revived in the 20th century in the Italian town of Assisi, where this beautiful needlework gets its name.

What stitches are used in Assisi embroidery?

The Holbein stitch, also known as the double running embroidery stitch, is used most often to outline and emphasize the design.  It is also used to create the beautiful decorative scrollwork that surrounds these designs.

Another stitch used in the background of the Assisi work embroidery is the cross stitch, which is a simple X made with the embroidery floss.

The herringbone stitch and the long and short cross stitch are also used to fill in the background of the Assisi embroidery motif.

Two more complex stitches that may be used are the long-armed cross stitch, an asymmetrical cross stitch where long diagonal stitches are worked over twice the number of vertical threads and the Montenegrin stitch explained below.

This page is a wonderful collection of both Assisi embroidery free patterns and tutorials along with history of Assisi embroidery.

Some beautiful Assisi embroidery free patterns and projects below include:

• Swan Needle Scissor Etui: An Etui is used to hold needlework tools
• Tetris Heart: Inspired by the block-style video game, Tetris
• Joy Pattern: The word “joy” outlined in red cross stitch
• Bird Chart Pattern: A charming Assisi Embroidery free pattern of a bird at a bird bath
• Other Assisi embroidery free patterns include shamrocks, bunnies, a gift pattern, and more
• Other Assisi embroidery projects include spring, summer and fall bookmarks.  

Scroll down to learn more about this lovely and unique embroidery style and find some great Assisi embroidery free patterns, projects, and designs.