Embroidered Portraits with Punch Needle
A course by Camille LabarreFreelance Fabricator
A course by Camille Labarre, Freelance Fabricator
Learn how to create unique embroidered portraits full of color and texture using the punch needle technique
Relaxing, fun, and therapeutic, embroidering with a punch needle allows you to create textured works of art that showcase your personal style. With a few basic craft tools and some time, you can turn your next big idea into something tangible, perfect as a gift or for sharing on social media.
In this course, Camille Labarre, professional crafter and fabricator, shows you how to use the punch needle technique to create eye-catching embroidered portraits. From color theory and tools to finishing and framing, Camille shows you her hands-on methodology for experimenting and exploring the world of punch needle.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 32 downloads
Overview of Materials
9 minutes, 15 seconds
Troubleshooting
8 minutes, 10 seconds
Texture - Directionality, Cross Contour, Different Stitches Possible
9 minutes, 47 seconds
Mapping out the Values: Blueprint + Color
9 minutes, 13 seconds
Punching Shapes: Laying Down Your Colors
20 minutes, 12 seconds
Punching Lines: Add Texture and Nuance
15 minutes, 27 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by meeting Camille, professional fabricator and your teacher. Learn about her journey into crafting and discover how she got started with punch needle embroidery. Take a look at where Camille gets her inspiration before going through the basic structure of the course.
Get ready to explore the world of punch needle embroidery. Begin by learning about the technique and hear Camille’s solutions to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding punch needle. Learn how to use the punch needle and see how to achieve different textures in your work. Review some basic color theory and start thinking about your final project.
Get your hands on some reference material and put your color theory skills to the test. See how to map out values and start defining the blueprint of your final piece. Discover how to properly stretch your canvas and see how to transfer your image. Now, it’s time to start punching!
Ready to bring your portrait to life? Start with the basic shapes of your image and fill large spaces as much as possible, leaving out fine details like facial features. Putting what you’ve learned into practice, introduce textures and gradients with the strategic use of lines. Add the finishing details like facial features to give your work its unique quality.
Finally, it’s time to clean it up. See how to remove excess thread, glue on a backing, and what you can do if warping occurs. Close the course by getting some tips on how to properly finish, frame, and hang your handmade punch needle portrait.
What is this course's project?
Create an embroidered portrait on a stretched fabric backing using the punch needle technique.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for beginning crafters interested in textile art, as well as advanced crafters who would like to take their punch needle embroidery skills beyond simple geometric shapes.
Requirements and materials
No previous knowledge is necessary to take this course, but having some basic drawing skills and prior crafting experience will make some steps easier to follow.
Regarding materials, you will need a punch needle, yarn or thread suited for that needle, fabric, canvas stretchers or an embroidery hoop, scissors, a stapler, white glue, and a marker. Other basic drawing materials are useful, but optional. A frame is nice to have for finishing and displaying your final project.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
Muy bueno bien explicado, un poco difícil para las que no dibujamos, pero en general bien
- 1 year ago
Wow, I loved this class so much. I learned so much and I loved the instructors ideas, tips, and energy. Would highly recommend!
- 2 years ago
Such a wonderful teacher... I am having great time learning
- 2 years ago
Excellent course and instructor! I learned a great deal from this course and was inspired by it.
- 2 years ago
Excelente curso, muy bien explicado, interesante y bonito, lo recomiendo 100%
As a passionate crafter, she explores and blends techniques from other disciplines to make her work unique. She has collaborated on projects for Honda, Gucci, Amazon, and Tom Ford, among others. You can find her work in television and short films, as well as on walls, stages, and Instagram.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- A Little About Me
- Influences
- What Will We Do in this Course?
- U2
Preparation and Basic Information
- Overview of Materials
- Troubleshooting
- Texture - Directionality, Cross Contour, Different Stitches Possible
- Color Theory Crash Course
- U3
Getting Down to Business
- Choosing Your Reference Material
- Mapping out the Values: Blueprint + Color
- Prepping Your Canvas and Image Transfer
- Punching Shapes: Laying Down Your Colors
- Punching Lines: Add Texture and Nuance
- U4
The Finish Line!
- Punching Dots: The Devil Is in the Details
- Almost There! : Clean It up + Seal It In
- Framing
- FP
Final project
- Embroidered Portraits with Punch Needle
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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FAQs
Punch needle embroidery is a textile technique where a specialized needle punches loops of thread or yarn into fabric. It's used in portrait art to create textured, dimensional designs, offering a unique alternative to traditional embroidery or painting.
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers all the basics, from selecting materials to finishing and displaying your punch needle embroidery portraits.
You’ll need a punch needle, embroidery fabric (like canvas), thread or yarn, a frame or stretcher bars, a staple gun, and basic tools such as threaders. The course provides guidance on choosing and organizing these materials.
You’ll learn how to select and prepare materials, apply punch needle techniques, transfer images to fabric, use color theory, compose portraits, add texture, finish, and frame professional-quality embroidered artwork.
The course shows you how to stretch fabric tightly over a frame, secure it with a staple gun, and prepare a smooth, taut surface for your punch needle work.
You’ll learn step-by-step image transfer methods, including tracing with light sources and adjusting the reference for clarity and accuracy before starting your embroidery.
After completing your embroidery, you'll secure the fabric edges, seal the back if needed, and mount the piece onto a frame or stretcher bars. The course also covers framing and hanging techniques.