A Year of Embroidery: How to Use the Daisies & Duke Embroidery Calendar
Welcome to a creative journey that lasts all year long! At Daisies & Duke, we believe embroidery should feel accessible, inspiring, and—most of all—fun. That’s why I created the Year of Embroidery Calendar kit. Whether you’re brand new to embroidery or looking for a low-pressure way to keep your needle moving each month, this calendar is designed to keep your creativity blooming all year long.
In this post, I’ll walk you through what the calendar is, how I use mine each month, and how you can make it your own. Plus, I’ll share a few tips for using the coordinating Stick & Stitch patterns and how they pair perfectly with my embroidery kits. Let’s dive in!
What Is the Year of Embroidery Calendar?
The Year of Embroidery Calendar is a physical, hand-illustrated calendar/journal featuring a daisy shape with 12 petals—one for each month. Each petal represents a space to stitch a design, making it a functional piece of wall art that grows with you as the year progresses.
Each month, I release a new set of 24 Stick & Stitch patterns designed specifically for that season or month. These small, themed patterns are perfect for adding to your calendar, embroidery hoops, T-shirts, bags, jackets, or any other fabric-based project you can imagine.
When you purchase the calendar kit, you get:
- A printed daisy-shaped embroidery calendar on high-quality fabric
- Instructions on how to get started
- A color guide with three coordinating DMC floss colors
- Each month’s Stick & Stitch pattern set (sold separately)
How I Use My Embroidery Calendar Each Month
Every month, I choose 1 to 2 designs from that month’s Stick & Stitch collection and stitch them into the corresponding petal on my calendar. I treat this as a creative moment for myself—a quiet time to reflect, stitch, and enjoy something handmade.
Here’s a typical monthly routine:
- Pick My Designs: I review the 24 designs and pick a favorite or one that represents something personal that month.
- Stick & Stitch: I cut out the Stick & Stitch design and place it on the month fabric petal.
- Stitch: Using one or all of the coordinating floss colors, I stitch the design in my style—sometimes simple, sometimes detailed.
- Rinse Away: Once finished, I gently rinse the fabric with water to dissolve the stabilizer.
- Admire It! It’s so rewarding to see the calendar filling up, one month at a time.
By the end of the year, you have a beautifully embroidered keepsake that shows how your skills and creativity have grown.
What’s Included in Each Month’s Stick & Stitch Set?
Each monthly Stick & Stitch set includes:
- 24 unique themed designs: All sized to fit on your calendar or be used elsewhere
- 5 seasonal words: Great for layering or standalone stitching
- 3 coordinating DMC floss color suggestions: Handpicked to match the season
These sets are designed to offer a mix of seasonal motifs, florals, mini illustrations, and words. For example, May’s set might include garden boots, flowers, bees, watering cans, and words like “bloom” or “sun.” December might include snowflakes, mittens, and festive touches.
Why You’ll Love the Embroidery Calendar
Here are a few reasons why stitchers are loving this kit:
- It’s beginner-friendly: If you’ve never embroidered before, this calendar makes it easy to get started with small, manageable projects.
- It keeps you consistent: One petal a month feels achievable even in a busy season.
- It’s meaningful: Each petal becomes a little memory of your year.
- It’s versatile: You don’t have to use the Stick & Stitch patterns only on the calendar. Add them to gifts, clothes, or cards.
How to Use Stick & Stitch Patterns with the Calendar
Stick & Stitch patterns are printed on a special water-soluble stabilizer. Here’s how to use them with your calendar:
- Cut out the design you want to use.
- Peel and stick it onto the petal for that month.
- Thread your needle with one of the recommended DMC floss colors.
- Stitch the design through both the stabilizer and fabric.
- Rinse gently under cool water to remove the stabilizer.
- Let it dry flat before framing or hanging.
This method gives you a clean finish with no trace of the pattern.
How to Get Your Kit
You can find the Year of Embroidery Calendar Kit in my Etsy shop. Each month’s Stick & Stitch set is available individually so you never miss a design drop!
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for:
- New kit announcements
- Free Quickstart Guide to Embroidery
- Tips and tutorials
- Early access to pattern releases
Bonus Ways to Use Your Calendar Designs
Don’t limit yourself to just the calendar! Here are other fun ideas for the extra Stick & Stitch designs:
- Embellish a tote bag
- Add a mini design to your jeans or jacket
- Create handmade cards
- Make bookmarks or mini hoop ornaments
- Stitch seasonal tea towels or napkins
Final Thoughts
The Year of Embroidery Calendar is more than just a project—it’s a journey. It’s about carving out time for yourself, learning a skill, and celebrating each month with something handmade. I created this kit to help you slow down, feel inspired, and stitch your way through the seasons.
Whether you stitch one petal or all twelve, this calendar is a beautiful reminder of the creativity and intention you’ve poured into your year.
Thank you for being a part of the Daisies & Duke community—happy stitching!
Want to grab your calendar and join the Year of Embroidery? Shop the kit here or sign up for the newsletter and get a free embroidery guide to start stitching today!
