In this episode of the Stitch Safari Podcast, I will deal with a style of embroidery that I had no idea even existed until I came across it recently during ongoing research.

Anatomical embroidery.

Science was never a strong point for me; however, I have to say, it can be and is utterly fascinating as a source of inspiration for embroidery and design.

So I dug a little deeper and discovered exactly what anatomical embroidery is and why people stitch it.

With this Stitch Safari Podcast, I aim to open up embroidery to people.  Little did I know, I would be one of them.

This is not a topic or style I would normally gravitate towards; however, upon seeing some of the work, I’m now changing my opinion.

Perhaps I would never stitch out an anatomically correct design. Still, I have to admit, they are fascinating – especially as a needle and thread add a unique dimension to the work, one that cannot be emulated, and this is the strength of embroidery.  It gives vigour and energy to the structure and composition of the human body.  Construction, organisation and arrangements are already mapped out and ready for artistic interpretation.

Join me on this examination and inspection of anatomic embroidery as I dissect, audit and review the whys and wherefores and artistic evaluation and interpretation of this genre of embroidery.

It’s unique, it’s educative, and it may not be for everyone – but it’s out there and needs to be explored.  These embroidered artworks will make you marvel at how we are made and function.

So, let’s go.

What is anatomical embroidery exactly?

Anatomical embroidery is a detailed, precise art form that depicts the human body’s systems, organs, and muscles using embroidery techniques, threads, and even beads, and the results can be stunning and incredibly moving.

But the broader and far more interesting question is why create anatomical embroidery in the first place, and, surprisingly, there are several answers to that question covering a variety of rationales.

Let’s begin with artistic expression.  Embroidery is a medium that allows the exploration of topics resulting in appealing art forms – and anatomical details worked in a variety of stitches and colours offer a new perspective of the human body.

This then leads to personal expression, where an artist uses anatomical embroidery to explore experiences related to their health or illness or that of a family member or friend to help fully understand upcoming medical procedures.  The resulting work can’t help but resonate with deeper meaning.

There’s an instance of a woman creating a project to help her with the trauma of a C-section.  Her doctor advised on the stitch and even the thread to use.

Artists may explore medical concepts and structures, most of which are highly complex, making the artwork engaging to a wider audience.

Now, this is the most interesting because it can be intended to subvert the expectation or idea of embroidery to challenge preconceived ideas of traditional embroidery.  Graphic medical imagery may prompt some viewers and artists to look at the body differently, but also look at the abilities within the myriad traditions of embroidery and where that could take them.

But for me, the outcome of this style of embroidery is that the tactile nature of embroidery lends itself to a more intimate connection with the subject matter, adding more depth and interest to the artwork.

So with every stitch comes self-expression, education, subversion and the possibility of engaging with a new, wider audience.

Wow, that’s all fantastic.  How about we explore some of the artists creating this style of embroidery featuring the inner workings of the human body?

Cath Janes, cathjanes.com is a Welsh embroiderer specialising in medical illustration.  She’s worked in this arena for several years, receiving commissions from anatomy enthusiasts and medical professionals alike.

Cath has a fascinating story.  She was able to marry her love of hand embroidery with her love of human anatomy.  After many phases of facial surgery, Cath began to embroider anatomically correct images of facial musculature that were immediately purchased by her consultant facial surgeon.

Her work has expanded to include designs of the heart, uterus, hand, ear canal and kidneys, with each work taking up to three months to complete.

She begins with Grey’s Anatomy, then moves on to books of photographed clinical dissections, dissecting dead animals her cat catches to get a better feel for the textures she needs to replicate in stitch.

Beginning with a general colour, Cath then includes lighter and darker shades, layering the stitches to create a textural depth that makes these artworks unique.  The embroidery pops off the hoop, giving the viewer a clearer image of how the organs actually look.

The embroideries become intricately more detailed, moving from large swathes of colour to tiny stitches using one strand of thread.

This work has been deeply therapeutic for Cath as well as educational, and with her facial surgery complete, this art form has brought her joy and a sense of creativity.  She writes that beauty and creative ideas really can be found in the most unexpected places after all.

In 2022, Cath Janes was awarded bronze for five of her pieces in the Institute of Medical Illustration’s annual awards.  Her work captures the pop-off-the-surface quality that embroidery offers through the mastery of her stitchwork.

Cath Janes has been selected to show her work at the Broderer’s Exhibition in London in March 2025.  She works by commission and sells prints and stickers of her stunning embroidery.

Best of all Cath’s on Instagram.  Head over to cathjanesanatomy and enjoy her mastery and artistry with a needle and thread.  This is amazing work by any standard.

There’s also an interview with Cath by Mr X Stitch on Youtube.

Still on the anatomical theme, yet work that’s entirely different, Hannah Crump of Juniper Threads Embroidery offers a different take on anatomical embroidery – it’s a little softer, more delicate and utterly beautiful.

Hannah’s original hand-crafted embroidery showcases the powerful connection between humanity and the natural world in a unique way.

With a belief that nature is a powerful tool for healing, along with the benefits of immersing ourselves in the natural world to assist our physical and mental health, Hannah uses this form of embroidery to slow her thoughts, calm her mind and manage her mental health.

Hannah’s work is a visual representation of the healing power of nature and embroidery.

Her concepts begin with a drawing, which is transferred onto organic cotton fabric and then densely stitched using a variety of embroidery techniques.

So rather than using the exact drawings of anatomical forms such as the brain, lungs or heart, Hannah uses the shapes, then fills them with a floral medley of embroidery designs using plants native to the United Kingdom’s woodlands including dog rose, ivy, wood anemone, deadly nightshade berries, scarlet pimpernel, columbine, rose, poppy, sunflower and forget-me-not flowers.

The designs take around 100 hours to stitch.

The work of Christina La Sala, christinalasale.com is different yet again.  Why?  Because Christina works with X-rays and cells.

Christina’s ethos is this: ‘Embroidery is drawing with thread.  The quality of line and the textures in thread strands translate detailed imagery from photos, illustrations and scans.  The embroidery returns the dimensionality of the body’s contours.’

Christina’s work is characterised by observation, reflection and process.  She is drawn to the hidden patterns found in text, genetic sequences and natural forms.

So, each of these artists has defined and executed anatomical embroidery differently.  Cath Janes with precision and education, Hannah Crump with a melody of florals and Christina Le Sala who uses imagery.  I find this varied exploration of anatomical embroidery utterly fascinating.

But wait, there’s more.

Medical student Emmi Khan produces delicate embroidery that includes both scientific and artistic methodology, both of which are a fascination for Khan.  She writes that: ‘Science has particular methods: it is fundamentally objective, controlled, empirical.  Similarly, art has particular methods: there is an emphasis on subjectivity and exploration, but there is also an element of regulation regarding how art is created eg, what type of needle to use to embroider or how to prime a canvas.  The procedures and techniques adopted by scientists and artists may be very different.  Ultimately, however, they both have a common aim.  Artists and Scientists both want to 1) make sense of the vastness around them in new ways and 2) present and communicate it to others through their own vision.’

Khan delights in embellishing her embroidered observations of internal organs with decorative elements such as sunflowers and posies.

Check out her work on Instagram at molecularartembroidery.

Amber Griffiths of ambroidering on Instagram challenges us yet again with her more upbeat take on anatomical embroidery. Her work also includes the use of beadwork, resulting in a hip, happening vibe.

Her Etsy shop, ambroidering, sells iron-on heart patches, embroidered hoops, and skeleton hands and skulls, all featuring anatomical embroidery.

Now, if you’re looking for designs or kits that provide this anatomical embroidery hit, try the Makit Takit Studio in Nebraska.  They have two designs, although there’s very little descriptive information offered.  Both are titled Anatomical Embroidery Samplers; one is Crocus Cranium, and the other is Starflower Ear.  It looks like the designs are printed onto fabric, but there’s no mention of threads being included or advice on stitching the design.

The Emily June website shopemilyjune.com offers a Mental Health Floral Anatomy Embroidery Bundle with patterns for a floral heart, lungs and brain.  The patterns include a detailed stitch guide with colours and illustrated instructions, photos for reference and transfer instructions for a 6″ embroidery hoop.

Machine embroiderers, don’t despair; you can access downloadable digital files intended for use on embroidery machines.  Urban Threads offers the Anatory Design Pack, including 8 anatomical designs.  The website states the file formats and compatible embroidery machines.

Wow, this episode has been huge.

This is a whole genre of embroidery design that’s new to me, and I’m stunned.  I hope it’s inspired each of you to look into this area – you never know where it may lead.

It’s not all for me I have to say, but I could see the use of shapes working in way-out colours – now that’s more my style.

But having said that, there’s not one of these artists whose work and ideas I haven’t admired and empathised with.

We all stitch for different reasons, but that innate link with nature and especially the workings of our bodies offers endless hours of fascination.

This really is a match made in heaven.  The combination of stitch and thread makes some of these designs look so realistic and yet others, so ephemeral.

Have a doctor or nurse in the family?  What about a new baby on the way and all those images that are now taken so easily to be disseminated to family and friends?  Or are you undergoing surgery and want to hone in on just what your doctor is talking about?

Myriad reasons to consider anatomical embroidery.

Good luck and enjoy.