Traveling Artists Use Embroidery to Immortalize Inspiring European Architecture

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Oslo, Norway

Creative couple Charles Henry and Elin Petronella travel the world together, creating stunning embroidery designs inspired by the architecture they come across. So far, the French-Swedish textile artists have been all over Europe, capturing each vibrant city scene stitch-by-stitch in a series of embroidery patterns. From the colorful streets of Copenhagen to the modernist architecture of Barcelona, each design is sure to evoke strong feelings of wanderlust.

Charles’s and Elin’s ever-growing collection features textile versions of popular landmarks—such as Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Batllo in Barcelona—and every colorful mosaic is rendered in a variety of embroidery stitches. Other designs feature outlines of streets in black thread, while the central subject stands out in color. In one image, we see a London telephone box is stitched in its iconic red hue; while in another, a Lisbon tram is represented in yellow.

If you feel inspired to start stitching at home, you can download PDF embroidery patterns from Charles’s and Elin’s collection via their website. Each design comes complete with a technique and color guide, as well as helpful supply recommendations. The couple also offers online courses, where you can learn to master the art of hand embroidery.

Travelers and artists Charles Henry and Elin Petronella create embroidery patterns inspired by European architecture.

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Casa Batllo, Barcelona

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Casa Batllo, Barcelona

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Casa Batllo, Barcelona

So far, the French-Swedish couple have been all over Europe, capturing each vibrant city scene stitch-by-stitch.

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Placa Reial, Barcelona

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Parisian Window

Each design has generously been made into downloadable PDF embroidery patterns, so you can recreate them at home.

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Lisbon Tram

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

London Telephone Box

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Gothenburg, Sweden

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Stockholm, Sweden

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Gothenburg, Sweden

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Street of Arcachon, France

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Paris, France

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Hospital Sant Pau, Barcelona

Travel Embroidery Patterns by Charles and Elin

Beach House, Sweden

Charles and Elin: Website
Charles Henry: Instagram
Elin Petronella: Instagram
h/t: [Brown Paper Bag]

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Charles and Elin.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
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