The Animal Challenge Gallery

We've just come to the end of the Animal Challenge - our 15-week embroidery and design challenge. This course guided people through the design process to create their own animal embroideries.

We are so proud of everyone who took part! They shared their work, asked for advice, and supported each other throughout the challenge. We wanted to share all their stunning pieces with you, since they deserve to be celebrated.

A Little Background About the Challenge

The Animal Challenge is part of our series of Live Studio Challenges which are available to our Studio members. This is our second challenge (we did a Story Challenge in 2025), and we couldn't be prouder of how it went.

We had four different colour palettes, based on Arctic, Desert, Jungle and Marine landscapes. We chose a small, rectangular frame to push people to create more unusual animal shapes and really think about how they used the space.

During the challenge, they had access to our online challenge platform, where we gave them weekly prompts to take them through the design process. They could also interact with each other, asking questions and getting advice and support throughout.

Here are some things the participants said about the experience:

Testimonials from the Challenge

The Animal Challenge was enormous fun and the community group utterly inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed working through the processes each week, giving me the confidence to create my own design. Thank you again!!

Rosie G.

What great fun. I have learnt so much and am sad it’s over . Thank you to all at the fabled thread for guiding us through the past few weeks.

Louise H.

This was my 1st attempt at designing something myself - only used kits before. Normally I would have maybe not posted my work, but am do glad I was brave and did, because that sharing is integral to the course / our learning. The daily supportive encouragement, feedback and ideas was fabulous.I am so pleased I did this...

Karen

I enjoyed the challenge and learnt a lot. I have never designed my own embroidery before and only started stitching with a kit in September but fell in love instantly with the style of the fabled thread and the mindfulness/ mindlessness of stitching a kit. The challenge taught me a process to have confidence to be more...

Helen B.

This was my 3rd challenge and I'm still learning new things! This time around I found the sessions on pattern play and stitch practice especially helpful, as they really highlighted how to move from the design stage to a plan for stitching - it was such a joy to have a clear idea of where I was going before I started s...

Susanne

I have designed quite a few of my own embroideries. I was inspired to do this by reading articles, posts & also watching Fabled Thread videos, completing a previous project with stories as the theme and using some of your kits. I love the way you have opened a door for me to explore and express my own ideas as well as ...

Esther J.

I really loved the animal challenge. It was my second challenge with the FT and, like in the first one, I absolutely loved the creativity, support and inspiration in the group! It is such a fun and beautiful experience and the best way to create a unique embroidery piece and connect with other creative people!Both chal...

Maria

Fabled Threads is a joy to belong to. I find the girls who work for Fabled Threads charming, friendly and so helpful. I have done 3 challenges so far and found this challenge more informative, more helpful. I found the design part of the challenge really helpful and I feel I want to design more in the future. Thank you...

Janet

Thank you The Fabled Thread! This workshop has been the most fun and I feel like I have learnt and grown so much from all the wonderful exercises we did. I had previous experience creating my own embroideries before but this process taught me a new approach which I found to be of great value creatively. The Maker’s Spa...

Bree N.

Have really enjoyed this challenge. Loved looking at all the other people’s work. Already wondering what the next challenge might be.

Susan S.

I’ve enjoyed the challenge so much. It’s reminded me that I still have it in me to create. And having a group of wonderful people to share ideas and feedback with has been so lovely! Thank you to Eppie, Meg, and The Fabled Thread team for creating a space and process that made everything feel so collaborative and doabl...

Lou K.

Thoroughly enjoyed the process and actually like my finished piece!

Susan L.

So, here are the finished embroideries and process photographs from the 2026 Animal Challenge! A huge well done to everyone who took part!

The Gallery

Amy M., Canada

Annalisa, UK

Angie NG, Hong Kong

Bree N., Australia

Claire C., Cornwall, UK

"I loved this slinky panther’s shape which I stretched out and filled with rather satisfying circles and dots, and some swirly stitching. Learned that simple stitches are my happy place; will be doing more!"

Emma A-H., London, UK