Teaching children traditional skills from history can be such a powerful way to blend hands-on learning with meaningful life lessons. Embroidery is one of those timeless crafts , it’s calming, creative, and full of focus – and it’s been passed down through generations for centuries.
This simple Tudor rose embroidery project is a lovely introduction to stitching for kids, with a fascinating backstory rooted in English history. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the past and practice a skill that’s still valuable today.
Whether you’re homeschooling or just looking to bring more enriching, screen-free learning into your home, this activity is both educational and beautiful. And best of all, it’s pulled straight from a fantastic new history book for kids that’s full of these kinds of engaging ideas!
This is the exact craft extract from Live Like a Tudor, which guides you step by step through creating your own Tudor rose:
Embroider a Tudor Rose
All Tudor girls were taught how to sew. Those from poorer families learnt simple, practical sewing skills, such as mending and making clothes, while girls from wealthier families spent hours practising embroidery (intricate decorations stitched onto fabric). Some men worked as embroiderers too. Have a go at embroidering a Tudor rose and put your needlework skills to the test.
The Tudor Rose
The Tudor Age began when Henry VII won the civil war being fought between the York and Lancaster families. This war later became known as the War of the Roses, because the House of York was represented by a red rose and the House of Lancaster by a white rose. When Henry VII (a Lancaster) married Elizabeth of York, the symbols of the two houses were merged to create a brand-new symbol: the Tudor Rose.
In the sixteenth century, this symbol appeared on buildings, in paintings and on coins. Today it is an emblem of England.
Embroider a Tudor Rose Craft
Stitch a beautiful Tudor rose with this beginner-friendly embroidery project that blends history and creativity for kids!
Materials
- • a piece of hessian, around 12in by 12in (30cm by 30cm)
- • marker pen
- • small balls of yellow, white, red and green yarn
- • darning needle (a blunt needle with a large hole)
- • thread, around 20in (50cm)
- • scissors
- • string, around 20in (50cm)
Tools
- • a piece of hessian, around 12in by 12in (30cm by 30cm)
- • marker pen
- • small balls of yellow, white, red and green yarn
- • darning needle (a blunt needle with a large hole)
- • thread, around 20in (50cm)
- • scissors
- • string, around 20in (50cm)
Instructions
- Draw the outline of a Tudor Rose onto the hessian.
Start by drawing a circle around 1 1/8in (3cm) across, then draw five short petals around it.Add five outer petals.
Finally, add five small pointy leaves.
- Start by embroidering the centre circle. Thread the needle with the yellow yarn and tie a knot in the end. Push the needle through the back of the hessian to the front, then begin to make short stitches around the outside of the circle, slowly working your way into the centre.
- Next, embroider the five inner petals. Using the white yarn, make long stitches from the inside of each petal to the outside.
- Now embroider the five outer petals. Using the red yarn, make long stitches from the inside of each petal to the outside.
- To finish the rose, embroider the five small leaves. Using the green yarn, make stitches from the middle of the leaf to the outside edge, then repeat for the other half of the leaf.
- Using the red yarn, stitch a border around your Tudor rose. Then trim off any extra hessian fabric, leaving 2–4in (5–10cm) of spare fabric at the top.
- Flip over the hessian. Place the length of string near the top edge and fold the hessian down over it. Then use the needle and the thread to stitch down the hessian.
- Once you have tied the string, your Tudor rose embroidery is ready to be hung up and admired!
About the Book Live Like a Tudor
Live Like a Tudor by Claire Saunders is a fantastic non-fiction picture book for kids, packed with interesting facts, easy-to-follow crafts, and gorgeous illustrations by Mia Underwood. Published by Button Books (June 2025, RRP £12.99), it’s part of the bestselling Live Like a… series and covers everything from food and fashion to the big historical events of the Tudor age.
It’s an ideal pick for homeschooling families or anyone looking to teach children history in a fun, memorable way.
The projects are creative, the information is well laid out and age-appropriate, and the overall presentation makes it easy for kids to connect with what they’re learning. This is definitely a book worth adding to your home library. You can find it at all good bookstores and online at places like amazon.
More Hands-On Learning for Kids
If you and your children enjoyed this Tudor rose embroidery project, why not try more historical crafts and hands-on learning ideas? These types of activities are a great way to make education engaging and memorable, whether you’re homeschooling or just looking for meaningful ways to spend time together.
- How to Make a Weaving Loom with Kids
- How To Make A Simple Bird Bath With Kids
- Make An Ant Farm Science Project For Kids
- 7 Hands On Butterfly Activities for Wild Kids
- Make a Tudor Ruff
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