Ruth Bader Ginsberg - Today's Inspiring Women

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Embroidered Doll Portrait

What is Being Made

This is a beginner-friendly embroidered portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, designed as part of the "Today's Inspiring Women" collection. The project creates a decorative doll or decorative accessory featuring a detailed likeness of the iconic Supreme Court Justice, suitable for display or as a finished craft piece.

Craft and Technique Overview

While listed under the crochet category, this pattern is actually an embroidery project using traditional hand embroidery techniques. The design uses thread embroidery rather than yarn-based crochet, making it a detailed needlework piece worked on fabric with a hoop. The pattern provides a complete stitch guide with color placement instructions to help crafters recreate the portrait accurately.

Stitches Used

• Stem Stitch - Used for outlines and linear details. Worked with varying strand counts (1 to 2 strands) depending on the area, this stitch creates clean, defined lines. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions for executing stem stitch properly, emphasizing controlled tension to avoid overly tight stitching.
• Long and Short Stitch - Applied for shading and filling larger areas with dimension and color gradation, creating depth in the portrait.
• Back Stitch - Used for fine details and definition, worked with 3 strands for emphasis in key areas.

Materials and Thread

This project uses DMC Stranded Cotton thread in two colors: DMC 3865 (Cream) and DMC 3371 (Brown). The stranded cotton allows for flexible strand counts—stitches are worked with 1, 2, or 3 strands depending on the desired effect and area of the design. An embroidery hoop is required to hold the fabric taut while working.

Difficulty Level

Rated as beginner-friendly, this pattern is accessible to those new to embroidery. The inclusion of detailed stitch instructions and a clear color guide makes it an ideal introduction to hand embroidery techniques, though some comfort with basic needlework is helpful.

Pattern Format

This is a free, downloadable PDF pattern provided by LoveCrafts, designed by Slow Evenings. The PDF includes a pattern outline, a detailed stitch and color guide showing exactly where each stitch type and thread color should be applied, and instructional steps for executing the stem stitch correctly.