Native American Machine Embroidery Designs

Native American culture is all over the place. The designs for each culture are different depending on what region of the United States that you are in. Some of the designs have become more popular as the years have progressed. Adding Native American designs to a piece will give it a sense of history.

Southwest Designs: These types of designs are popular. They use images that are relative to Native American's culture or history in different ways. The designs are organized by patterns, baskets, pottery, and Kokopelli silhouettes. The Southwest Native American designs are great to use for clothes, curtains, Bible covers, and blankets. The designs can be made in pastels or darker colors. Use thread colors such as green, yellow, blue, purple, red, or orange.

Natural Elements: Indian tribes such as the Zuni, Navaho, Hopi, and Pueblo use nature and the forces of nature as elements for designs in their crafts. Before choosing an element, it is good to know the meaning of the element. Lightening bolts, rain, and clouds represent renewal and change. Rain and snow mean the greatest blessing of renewal. The sun indicates life, warmth, and growth. The sun's rays usually point to the four directs of south, east, west, and north. The morning star is used by the Pueblo Indians. The morning star indicates purity of spirit and courage. The morning star is associated with the Ghost Dance religion. You can use the natural element embroidery designs to make pillows and pictures. This type of design looks great on solid colors. Use black thread and solid colored fabric for pillows and pictures.

Eskimo Designs: The Alaskan Eskimo culture is usually not as appreciated as other cultures when it comes to elements in crafts. Eskimo designs are beautiful and can be incorporated into items that have a Native American theme. This type of theme is good for people that love the outdoors. This type of design would look perfect on wall hangings, blankets and pillows. Eskimo art is usually crafted by hand from bone, soapstone and ivory. Use white and black colors for the embroidered elements on your crafts. Eskimo designs usually have seals, owls, sleds, sled dogs, bears, walruses, polar bears and eagles on them.

Fabrics: Native American embroidered designs can be extremely simple or very detailed. The fabric that you chose is extremely important. Use fabrics that are solid. Designs that are embroidered look a whole lot better on fabrics that don't have too much going on.