Looking to bring more creativity into your kitchen? Embroidery enthusiasts, this is your time to shine! Imagine transforming those plain aprons, kitchen towels, or even hot pads into vibrant, personalized masterpieces that add charm and personality to your home—or make heartfelt gifts for loved ones. In today’s blog post, I’m diving into four simple yet stunning embroidery projects that can elevate everyday kitchen essentials into something truly special.

These beginner-friendly ideas, paired with Designs by JuJu’s versatile embroidery patterns, are perfect for adding a pop of color and creativity to your space. Whether you’re stitching for a foodie, a college student, or just sprucing up your own home, get ready to unleash your imagination and turn your kitchen into a canvas for your embroidery art!

As an embroidery fanatic, I am always looking for ways to incorporate more embroidery into my life. Much to my husband’s delight (ha!), I ventured into our kitchen today to see where I could add some personalization and pizazz. I found numerous items we had in our cabinets that were really much too plain for my liking. All of the items in today’s blog post are common things you may also have tucked away in your kitchen drawers. Bonus: These projects make quick and easy gifts that would be perfect for a foodie, college student, or newlywed!  

Supplies

Check out the DBJJ team’s favorite supplies in the Designs by Juju Amazon Store.

There are tons of other fabulous kitchen-themed designs available from DBJJ. Pick the one that matches your kitchen’s theme best and get stitching!

Project #1: Apron

I have found over the years that I am quite a messy cook/baker. Because of this, aprons are a kitchen essential in my household. I had so much fun personalizing my plain apron. Not only was it very simple, but it also stitched great. Grab yourself a plain apron or make your own apron using a pattern of your choosing. Then, select one of the many great DBJJ images to add some flair. I used Too Hot to Handle from Kitchen Word Art 3 in the example below. This would also make an adorable gift to give with a cookbook and some utensils for a college student or a first-time homeowner. 

Completed Apron
Too Hot to Handle Design

Project #2: Stand Mixer Cover

I don’t know why I have never embroidered my mixer cover before, but oh my goodness, it turned out adorable! I used Bakers Gonna Bake from from Kitchen Word Art 3 in the example below.

I will admit that it was a bit of a bear to hoop, but once I had it wrangled, it stitched great! I do have a tubular-arm machine that made stitching this easier. I also used my magnetic hoop (which is an investment, but so worth it) rather than my traditional hoop. If you are using a flatbed machine, it might be easier to open the seams on the side of the cover before hooping. My mixer cover has a plastic lining that makes it much stiffer than a cotton cover. Experiment with your own cover and see what works best for you and your machine capabilities. 

Completed Stand Mixer Cover

Feeling extra creative? Check out this blog post to learn how to make your very own mixer cover using Quilting Backdrops. It can be personalized further using DBJJ designs.

Project #3: Kitchen Towels

Embroidered kitchen towels are a fabulous, beginner-friendly project! They are relatively inexpensive to purchase and come in a variety of colors and textures. I prefer to use a wash-away mesh stabilizer and a water-soluble topper when embroidering on kitchen towels. Both of these items dissolve when washed, leaving your finished towels looking professional. Again, towels make an effortless last-minute gift that can be paired with a loaf of bread or a hand soap. I used Bless This Kitchen from Kitchen Word Art 3 to decorate the towel in the example below. Have fun playing with all kinds of designs. Before long, you will have embroidered towels throughout your entire home!

I like to display my kitchen towels using the ITH Towel Toppers. In the example below I used the Tulip design from In The Hoop Easter Towel Toppers Set 1. DBJJ has a plethora of holiday and evergreen designs available that will add that little extra pop to your kitchen decor. I switch my towel toppers out seasonally. 

Hanging Kitchen Towel
Bless This Kitchen (Kitchen Word Art 3) and Welcome to Our Kitchen (Welcome Signs 6)

If you haven’t embroidered on towels before, check out this blog post for a tutorial on kitchen towels and this blog post for a tutorial on tea towels. Once you make one, you will be hooked!

Project #4: Hot Pad

Embroidered hot pads are super quick and easy. When embroidering, I used sticky-backed tear-away stabilizer and floated my hot pad on my hoop. The tear-away stabilizer allows for a clean-looking project from the front and the back. In the example below I used It's Getting Hot in Here from Kitchen Word Art 3. These hot pads are so cute that you will want to display them instead of tucking them away in a drawer. 

Completed Hot Pad

If you would prefer to make your own ITH pot holders and oven mitts, DBJJ has you covered. Make sure to read all directions included in your PDF once purchased and check out this tutorial from Becky at Power Tools with Thread. You will want to use Insul-Bright® or something similar, to provide protection from heat. The customization options for an in-the-hoop pot holder are limitless. Have fun matching your cotton fabric with other items in your kitchen to create a cohesive theme.

I hope you have enjoyed these four kitchen projects. There are countless other things you could personalize in your own kitchen, including casserole carriers, placemats, table runners, and so much more.

For more ideas and inspiration, check out JuJu's classic post, Itchin' for Some Kitchen Stitchin' - Kitchen Embroidery

For even more ideas and to share your own creations, be sure to join the Designs by JuJu Embroidery Blessings Facebook Group and tag us anywhere on social media using the hashtag #designsbyjuju. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Michelle Christiansen

Hello! My name is Michelle Christiansen. I am an avid crafter and love doing embroidery projects, especially with my mom. My favorite way to spend my free time is with my husband and my three year old!