Nautical & anchor embroidery designs
Anchors, rope knots, life rings and ship wheels, often in navy, red and white: our nautical and anchor embroidery designs bring a seaside look to tees, towels and cushions. Free and premium anchors are both available, with DST, PES, VP3, JEF and EXP versions of every design. On a terry beach towel, a water-soluble film over the loops keeps the rope details crisp.
2 designs
- Free
- Free
Nautical motifs are a summer classic and a favorite for anyone who spends time on the water. Stitch an anchor on a striped top, a ship wheel on a cushion for a lake cabin or a life ring on a beach bag. Rope borders and knots also make a neat frame for a name on towels and boat bags.
Striped shirts need care in the hoop: line the stripes up with the grid of your hoop template so the anchor does not sit crooked across them. Use cut-away on knit tops and a medium tear-away on canvas or duck cloth cushions. Polyester thread keeps its color best on gear that sees sun, salt water and frequent washing.
Sailboats, tugboats and ships are under boat and ship designs, while waves, shells and palm trees are collected in beach and ocean designs. For a summer set, stitch the same anchor on a towel, a tote and a cap, changing only the size.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep an anchor straight on a striped shirt?
Hoop the shirt so one stripe runs exactly along a horizontal line of your hoop template, and keep the knit relaxed rather than stretched. Use the trace function to check that the design sits where you want it. A small tilt shows much more on stripes than on plain fabric.
Which stabilizer works for nautical designs on beach towels?
Back the towel with tear-away or cut-away and cover the stitching area with water-soluble film, so the stitches rest on the loops instead of between them. Choose polyester thread, which holds its color through bleach, sun and hot washes better than rayon. Remove the topping remnants with a damp cloth.