Make your own Mexican-inspired embroidery with the V&A Museum

^{Embroidery design by Xinyi Li, MA Fashion Curation, London College of Fashion University of the Arts London. Photograph © Victoria and Albert Museum, London}

Brought to you by the Victoria and Albert Museum, these free, downloadable embroidery patterns are inspired by a stunning group of 19th-century samplers from Mexico, carefully preserved in the V&A collection.

You can follow the step-by-step instructions to create a beautiful embroidered bag — perfectly sized to hold your wallet, keys, and mobile phone — or use the charming designs to embellish your own projects. The download includes printable patterns and a handy stitch guide, so whether you’re just starting out or have been stitching for years, you’ll have everything you need to get creative.

This activity is also a great way to explore skills linked to careers in craft — from embroidery and textile art to costume design, fashion, surface pattern design, and even museum conservation. It’s a chance to build your confidence with traditional techniques while thinking about where those skills might take you.

Click here for the full instructions.