Embroidery hoops – I prefer a 12 inch hoop, but you can also use a smaller sized hoop. You’ll also need a smaller hoop for a portion of this guide – a 5 inch hoop should do. What makes these journals truly remarkable is the artistry that goes into their design. The larger parts of the art are masterfully embroidered onto the cover, creating a tactile and visually stunning effect. Meanwhile, the finer details are expertly printed, ensuring a harmonious blend of texture and design. Whether you gift it to a loved one or keep it for yourself, this journal is a precious keepsake that invites you to rejoice in the simple act of writing and in the abundant blessings of faith.

The following items aren’t absolutely necessary, but they make life sooo much easier and/or add some really fun decorative elements to your embroidery journal. Before starting this embroidery journal on New Year’s Day, I knew nothing about fabrics, threads, needles, hoops or any of the stuff in that avoided-with-wonderment craft department. I’m using a 12-inch plastic hoop and recommend that you don’t go much smaller than that since you’ll need to fit a lot of small icons, plus all the other parts of your design.After seeing this article last fall, I knew that finally giving hand embroidery a try was my next pursuit!

Template – printed out or displayed on a tablet or laptop screen. I’ve designed a 2023 template. I’ll be using my laptop for the below method. Measuring 5.75 inches in width, 8.375 inches in height, and .625 inches in depth, these journals are the perfect size to carry with you or keep on your desk. They are a tangible expression of your faith and a wonderful way to infuse spirituality into your daily life. Once your hoop size is set, you need to decide how you want your journal to be designed or laid out. Here are some other design ideas for embroidery journals instead of a pie template (this is by no means all-inclusive…let your creativity run wild!):If your hoop doesn’t get clamp-tight and the fabric gets loose easily, or if you just want it to be decorated (me!), now would be the time to bind your hoop with some fabric scraps or ribbon.