‘Home’ Lettering Embroidery Pattern (Free Hoop Design)

This little script lettering hoop is one of those projects you can finish in a single evening, and it adds such a warm, handmade touch right by the front door. The script word home uses a simple chain stitch that gives the letters weight and texture without needing any tricky padding underneath. If you have been looking for a quick free embroidery pattern to try on linen, this lettering embroidery project is a wonderful place to start.

Quick Facts

• Skill level: Beginner
• Finished size: 4 in x 1 1/2 in (10 cm x 4 cm) design inside a 6 in (15 cm) hoop
• Hoop: 6 in (15 cm) wooden embroidery hoop
• Fabric: Natural linen, cut to 10 in x 10 in (25 cm x 25 cm)
• Stitches used: Chain stitch, satin stitch
• Time to make: 2 to 3 hours

What Makes This Hoop Art Special

What makes this piece stand out is the contrast between the dark charcoal script and the small red heart right above the letter o. The chain stitch creates natural loops that look like a continuous line of ink, while the satin stitch on the heart gives it a neat, solid pop of colour. Framing the finished piece in a wooden hoop means it is ready to hang the second you snip your last thread.

Finished Size

The finished design measures 4 in wide by 1 1/2 in high (10 cm wide by 4 cm high) and sits centered inside a 6 in (15 cm) embroidery hoop.

Materials You Will Need

• Natural linen fabric: cut one piece measuring 10 in x 10 in (25 cm x 25 cm)
• Wooden embroidery hoop: 6 in (15 cm) diameter
• Embroidery needle: size 5 embroidery or crewel needle
• Embroidery scissors
• Water-soluble transfer pen or pencil

Colour name	DMC number	Strands	Used for	Skeins
Charcoal Grey	DMC 3799	3	Lettering word “home”	1
Red	DMC 321	3	Small heart	1

Stitches Used

Chain Stitch

1. Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric at the start of the line, then push it back down right beside that same entry hole, leaving a small loop on top.
2. Bring the needle back up a short stitch length ahead, catching the loop under the point of the needle as you pull it through.
3. Pull the thread gently until the loop lies flat against the fabric to form the first link.
4. Repeat this step inside the previous loop to create a continuous chain of stitches along your line.

Satin Stitch

1. Bring your needle up on one outer edge of your shape and go down on the opposite edge to lay down your first straight stitch.
2. Bring your needle back up right beside your starting point, keeping the threads parallel and touching with no gaps.
3. Continue filling the shape by placing straight stitches side by side until the entire area is covered smoothly.

Transferring the Design

To draw the design by hand, lay your linen flat on a table and use a water-soluble pen to sketch a light guideline across the middle of the fabric. The word “home” measures 4 in wide by 1 1/2 in high (10 cm wide by 4 cm high) and is centered in the 6 in (15 cm) circle. Place the baseline for the letters right on your center line. Draw the lowercase script letters h-o-m-e with smooth loops connecting each one. 1/2 in (1.3 cm) above the letter o, draw a small heart measuring 3/8 in wide by 3/8 in high (1 cm wide by 1 cm high).

If you prefer tracing, hold your fabric and the printed reference design up against a bright window and trace the lines directly onto the linen with your pen.

💡 Designer Tip: Keep your pencil lines light so they wash out completely when you are finished stitching.

Stitching Instructions

Lettering Word “home”

1. Thread your needle with 3 strands of Charcoal Grey (DMC 3799).
2. Starting at the bottom left of the letter h, work a continuous chain stitch following all the curves of the script word “home” until you reach the tail of the letter e.
3. Tie off securely on the back side of the fabric.

✅ Checkpoint: Check that your chain stitches are even in size and that the loops flow smoothly around the curves of the letters without twisting.

Small Heart

1. Thread your needle with 3 strands of Red (DMC 321).
2. Work straight satin stitches across the shape of the small heart, starting from the center and working your way out to each lobe.
3. Secure your thread ends neatly on the back.

✅ Checkpoint: Make sure your satin stitches lie flat and completely cover the drawn outline of the heart.

Finishing the Hoop

1. Take your finished embroidery out of the hoop and dab the fabric with a damp cloth to dissolve any leftover marks from your transfer pen.
2. Let the linen dry completely, then press it gently on the backside with a warm iron over a soft towel so you do not flatten the stitches.
3. Place the inner ring of the wooden hoop on a flat surface, center your stitched linen over it, and press the outer ring down over the fabric.
4. Tighten the screw at the top while pulling the edges of the linen slightly until the fabric is drum-tight.
5. Trim the excess fabric around the back of the hoop, leaving a 1/2 in (1.3 cm) margin, and stitch a gathering thread around the edge to pull it neat and flat against the back.

Tips and Variations

If charcoal grey is not your style, try stitching the word “home” in navy blue or forest green while keeping the little heart a bright red or pink. This same lettering design also looks wonderful stitched onto the corner of a linen tea towel or the front pocket of a canvas tote bag.

FAQ

Can I use a different size hoop for this pattern?

Yes, but a 6 in (15 cm) hoop leaves a nice 1 in (2.5 cm) margin of blank linen around the 4 in (10 cm) wide design, which gives it a clean, balanced look on the wall.

Why do we use 3 strands of floss instead of all 6?

Using 3 strands gives the chain stitch a crisp, defined look that reads clearly as script lettering without becoming bulky or hard to curve around tight corners.

What is the best way to keep my chain stitches the same size?

Keep your stitch length short—about 1/8 in (0.3 cm) per link—and always enter your needle back down right inside the loop you just made to keep the tension even.

Happy Stitching!

I hope you enjoy stitching this sweet little piece for your entryway. Save this pin on Pinterest so you can find it later. If you make one, I would love to see it: send me a photo through the contact page.

• Vera