Apparently, Embroidery Tattoos Are A Thing And It Looks Cooler Than It Sounds (30 Pics)

Two art forms, both involving the use of needles, but seemingly worlds apart. But no more. Embroidery, a classical art that you are more likely to associate with your grandma, has combined with the tattoo scene to create beautiful, folky designs that are both unique and traditional at the same time.

The results speak for themselves. The rich, textured designs look like the ink has been sewn into the skin, and take on an almost 3D appearance as they 'pop' out at you. Many designs are a contemporary take on a timeless technique, with a series of tiny x's combining to form a bigger picture.

What do you think? Would you consider getting a tattoo like this? Scroll down to check out Bored Panda's list for inspiration, and let us know what you think in the comments!

This post may include affiliate links.

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

359points

POST

Carrie de Luka 5 years ago

This really does look like embroidery - stunning.

85points

View more comments

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

317points

POST

Katelynn Marie 5 years ago

I’m wondering how long this would take...

68points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

291points

POST

The Dutches 5 years ago

WoW. Really beautiful. Never wanted a tattoo, but maybe i will now. Great idea!

65points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

274points

POST

Lotte 5 years ago

it really looks like someone just stitch-ed it right on ;-)

120points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

253points

POST

HellCat 5 years ago

This is actually so cool! I want to have something similar, only with traditional Romanian embroidery symbols. I absolutely love it!

59points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

222points

POST

Anne 5 years ago

I like the realistic cap in combination with the embroidered homer

88points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

201points

POST

FatBaby 5 years ago

That's so so so Beautiful

27points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

194points

POST

Kathleen MacDonagh 5 years ago

Beautiful

22points

View More Replies...

View more comments

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

185points

POST

5 years ago

Woow this one is really cool!

23points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#10

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

179points

POST

Luis Milian 5 years ago

I love Goofy!

19points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#11

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

164points

POST

Debbie Kaylo 5 years ago

looks like an applique has been placed on the arm; see the loose threads on the outline....

40points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#12

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

157points

POST

Bianca Daynes 5 years ago

Wow!

18points

View more comments

#13

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

153points

POST

Zoe's Mom 5 years ago

Tape Measure looks so real. Well done.

33points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#14

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

149points

POST

M Dream 5 years ago

beautiful

13points

View more comments

#15

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

146points

POST

Talia Johnson 5 years ago

This one even looks like it has the tiny bits of paper from the embroidery patch.

31points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#16

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

128points

POST

Kenda Frost 5 years ago

This one made me laugh at the memories!

25points

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#25

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

99points

POST

Donna O 5 years ago

Ooh is that a dermal implant for the tongue piercing?

9points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#26

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

99points

POST

Belinda Crum 5 years ago

Oooooooh! I really love this one.

8points

View more comments

#27

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

88points

POST

Luis Milian 5 years ago

"look Morty, we are in a dimension were we are part of a Bad A*s Tattoo"

31points

View more comments

#28

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

87points

POST

SprinkleDrop 5 years ago

So beautiful

5points

View more comments

#29

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

84points

POST

Luis Milian 5 years ago

wow, so realistic that does not even look like a tattoo.

14points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#30

Cross-Stitch-Embroidery-Tattoo

Final score:

83points

POST

Ellie Ragsdale 5 years ago

This is really amazing! Also, can someone translate the text?

4points

View More Replies...

View more comments

What do you think ?

I like them, very detailed. But I am wondering how well they will hold up, especially those with little to no black ink. Red is gone at a different rate than white and greens, so you will have to keep up (wow.. that will be a very painstakingly precise task) or cover in some years. (I have lots of ink - I think the reds/pinks fade in about ten years, so all the detailed crosses will be blurs)

Aunt Messy 5 years ago

If you want your ink to last, you have to protect it from the sun. I have a full back piece and I NEVER go without sunscreen on the whole thing in the summer. Natural fading happens, but it takes a LONG time.

Load More Replies...

Patrick Millet 5 years ago

Came to say exactly that. I don't have aged tattoos so I'm no expert but everything I've read suggests that the patch-looking ones will end up looking like regular old tattoos and the cross stitch ones might end up looking weird. I feel like the instagram/pinterest culture of cool/trendy tattoo photography makes us forget that tattoos, while permanent, are not unchanging.

Ahnnah Newell 5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Bobbi Newell 5 years ago

These are interesting, and very well done. However, I think the artist went overboard on the patch-style ones by including so many loose threads on the border, and it's driving my sewing brain crazy. They look realistic enough without adding what amounts to a manufacturer's defect.

Sworlay 5 years ago

YES. Also it makes them appear rather seperate from the skin, while the idea (I guess) was to let them look like stitched onto it.

Daniel (ShadowDrakken) 5 years ago

Anyone else get annoyed at artists only showing off fresh ink though? Fresh ink isn't representative of their actual work. It needs a good month or two to really see not just the artistic skill, but the needle control too.

10points

Load More Comments

Apparently, Embroidery Tattoos Are A Thing And It Looks Cooler Than It Sounds (30 Pics)

Games

Gerda

Gerda

Word Search

WordroW

Jigsaw

Crossword

Sudoku

Picdoku

Killer Sudoku

Kriss Kross

Word Flower