3D Embroidery using Punch Needle Techniques
A course by Youmeng Liu , Designer and Embroidery Artist

Discover the power of the punch needle technique to create realistic 3D embroidery of your favorite food items.
Discover the captivating world of punch needle embroidery with Youmeng Liu, a renowned designer and embroidery artist known for her unique and realistic style.
You'll transform everyday inspirations, especially food, into stunning three-dimensional works of art. Using advanced embroidery techniques, you'll learn how to bring your creations to life by conveying sensations and emotions through texture and color.
This artistic approach not only pushes the boundaries of traditional embroidery but also offers a fresh perspective on how art can connect with the most fundamental elements of daily life.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 24 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (25)
- 2,540 students
- 15 lessons (1h 49m)
- 24 additional resources (10 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Indonesian · Romanian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
The final project involves creating a punch needle embroidery piece that represents a food of your choice. You will apply the three-dimensional realism techniques learned, exploring texture, color and shape to capture the essence of your subject.
Who is this online course for?
Aimed at artists, designers, artisans and anyone interested in exploring new techniques of expression through embroidery.
Requirements and materials
You will need punch needles specific to the technique taught by Youmeng Liu, threads of various colors, base fabric for embroidery, and scissors.
Reviews

Youmeng Liu
A course by Youmeng Liu
Youmeng Liu is a renowned designer and embroidery artist, trained at the London College of Fashion, where she specialized in Fashion Artifact.
From a young age, Youmeng was drawn to drawing and painting, a passion that led her to explore the rich traditional embroidery culture of her hometown in China.
Over time, she has perfected her punch needle embroidery technique, developing a distinctive style that has earned her international recognition. She has collaborated with brands like DMC and exhibited her work in galleries in New York and Hong Kong.
Her works, often focused on realistic representations of food, aim not only to capture the aesthetics of her subjects but also to evoke the emotions and sensations they inspire.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Techniques
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Tools and Materials
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Punch Needle Technique
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Practicing Patterns and Avoiding Typical Mistakes
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Lenght and Texture
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U3
Design and Color
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Inspiration and Mood Board
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Color Mapping
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Gradients
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U4
Realistic Embroidery
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The Pattern
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First Couple of Stems
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Trimming for the Taller Stems
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Broccoli’s Crown
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U5
Finishing the Piece
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Last Details
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Cleaning and Framing the Piece
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FP
Final project
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3D Embroidery using Punch Needle Techniques
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers all the basics of punch needle embroidery, including 3D techniques and realistic effects.
You’ll need a punch needle tool, embroidery hoop, tightly woven fabric, cotton threads, specialized scissors, and optional digital tools for pattern design. The course provides a complete list and guidance.
You’ll learn 3D punch needle techniques, how to create gradients and textures, transfer patterns, trim and sculpt designs, and make realistic embroidered food and still life motifs.
The course teaches you to arrange threads by hue, map colors, and sequence stitches to produce smooth gradients and natural transitions for realistic effects.
Punch needle embroidery uses a hollow needle to punch loops through fabric, creating textured designs. 3D techniques involve layering and trimming to build depth and sculptural effects.
No art background is necessary. The course introduces basic design concepts like mood boards and color mapping to help all skill levels create beautiful embroidery.
You'll learn step-by-step methods for tracing and aligning designs using digital or hand-drawn patterns to ensure accurate placement before stitching.
I had always wanted to learn from Youmeng so was so excited when I saw this course. It was really easy to follow and so much fun to make all the things! :)
Personne très douée et passionnante. même si je me sens très loin de son niveau, elle donne envie de se lancer. A conseiller sans modération
Il corso spiega in modo dettagliato come ottenere un effetto 3d. Non è una tecnica semplice, lo consiglio a chi ha già esperienza di punch needle! Tuttavia è assolutamente da vedere per la grande scoperta di quante cose si possono fare con questa tecnica!
Está muy bien explicado, me gusta mucho como abarca muchos aspectos para que sea más fácil de entender.
Me encanta este curso, la técnica es genial, fácil de entender y muy bueno si deseas darle un toque diferente a tus creaciones.