Is it really possible to turn a photo into an embroidered portrait that captures deep emotion?
In this post, I’ll share the full process. From digitizing the image to completing the final stitch out. This project was especially meaningful for me.
How Hard Is It to Create an Embroidered Portrait?
Creating an embroidered portrait is much more than just auto-digitizing a photo. It involves many technical and emotional layers.
In fact, online you’ll often see hand-digitized embroidered portraits priced between $200 and $300. That’s why doing it yourself is a powerful (and more affordable) alternative—but also a real challenge.
In my case, this wasn’t just any photo—it was a picture of my grandmother, who passed away a few years ago. I wanted to give the portrait to my mom as a gift… and of course, I had a lot of questions:
- Will it actually look like her?
- Will my mom like it?
- How will she react when she sees it?
Step by Step – How I Turned a Photo into an Embroidered Portrait Using WILCOM
1. Choosing the Right Colors
One of the most common mistakes when creating embroidered portraits is choosing the wrong thread colors.
Even a well-digitized design will look flat or unrealistic if the thread tones don’t work visually.
Pro Tip:
Start with base colors, then choose midtones, and finally add darker shades to create depth and contrast.
2. Preparing the Original Image
Take a high-quality photo or scan the original image.
In my case, I used my phone to take the picture and transferred it to my computer to start working in WILCOM Embroidery Studio.
3. Starting the Digitizing Process in WILCOM
With the image ready, I opened WILCOM and began digitizing the design by creating layers for different parts of the portrait.
I started with the hair—digitizing three base layers and then adding a fourth layer with darker tones.
This step requires patience, as each layer brings more realism and texture to the final result.
4. Using Temporary Colors for Design Accuracy
When I digitize in WILCOM, I don’t always use the final thread colors.
Instead, I use high-contrast placeholder colors to clearly distinguish between layers during editing.
This is a super helpful trick that makes it much easier to work on fine facial details.
5. Designing Facial Expressions
Now comes the real challenge:
Capturing facial expressions—smiles, subtle gestures, even imperfections—is what truly makes the portrait resemble the person.
I quickly realized this was much more complex than it looked… but also far more rewarding.
As I made progress, I felt a mix of excitement and emotion.
My grandmother’s smile in the portrait was so warm and real, I was moved to see it slowly come to life in thread.
I couldn’t wait to see the final result.
6. Preparing the File for Embroidery
Once the digitizing process was complete:
- I saved the file to a USB drive
- Took it to the embroidery machine
- Framed the portrait (with an inexpensive but charming frame) to make it more presentable
The Final Result – How Did My Mom React?
I gave the portrait to my mom as a belated birthday gift.
She had no idea I had made it… and her reaction was unforgettable:
“It looks like a real portrait… It’s just like her! How did you do this?”
The resemblance to the original photo was striking.
Seeing her emotional response was the best reward for all the time and effort.
Is It Worth Making an Embroidered Portrait?
Absolutely. Not just because of how it looks—but because of how it feels.
Through this project I:
- Learned to manage design layers in WILCOM more effectively
- Gained deeper understanding of color selection for thread
- And most importantly, proved to myself that an embroidered portrait can evoke as much feeling as a photograph
Se yaa 🙂
