DIY Embroidered Sunglasses

What do you do when the probability of scoring a pair of Ulyana Sergeenko‘s embroidered sunglasses is, at best, 1 in a million? Do it yourself, of course. Though I couldn’t replicate these folk-inspired sunnies at nearly the same degree (we’re talking couture after all), I was able to add just the right amount of embroidery for a similar effect. So, what do you say? Grab a pair of inexpensive sunglasses and let’s get stitchin’!

You’ll need:

Start by drawing out a pattern – feel free to copy mine! Each cross stitch has four holes, forming a square, so the pattern will look like a grid. Color coding the stitches helps develop the design. After the pattern is drawn out on piece of paper, copy the pattern with a felt tip marker on the sunglasses – don’t forget to make sure the design doesn’t obstruct your vision! Nail polish remover will remove any mistakes.

Use the hand held drill or Dremel to drill the holes. To prevent skidding or scratching, place the tip of the drill bit on top of the marked area before turning on the drill. Place a good amount of pressure for a clean drill. Once all the holes are drilled, clean off any leftover marks with a paper towel and nail polish remover.

Thread the needle with embroidery floss – make sure the head of the needle is small enough to fit through the holes. Tie a double knot at the end of the floss and snip off any excess. Thread the floss through the holes, following the pattern. Start from the upper left corner down to the lower right corner and then from the upper left corner down to the lower right corner, forming an X. Start the next stitch so it uses two of the same holes as the previous.

Finish off the color with a double knot on the backside.

Continue cross stitching with the second color and then the third color.

Repeat on the other side.

Voila, embroidered sunnies complete!

(images by HonestlyWTF)

Leave a Comment

196 Comments

  1. Mira wrote:

    Wow wow wow looks so pretty rad. Love your diy. I´m definitely not skilled enough but I would love to have one too!

    xx

    glamdevils

    4.16.13
    Reply
  2. Wow these are so cool! I have to get my hands on one of those drills. These look so cute and unique! I haven’t seen Ulyana Sergeenko’s sunnies, but these look pretty high end when finished.
    Definitely going to try this out!
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    xo Quinn
    Quinn Cooper Style

    4.16.13
    Reply
  3. Veva wrote:

    WoW!
    It´s amazing!
    best diy sunglases I have ever seen!

    kisses

    MY WHITE IDEA DIY

    4.16.13
    Reply
  4. wooowwww that is such good idea!!! it’s so original and different!!!!

    http://www.thestelstyle.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  5. Paula wrote:

    I LOVE THIS! I don’t know about introducing a drill but I’ll try anything twice.

    ♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.
    http://shoe-fiend.blogspot.co.uk/

    4.16.13
    Reply
  6. Nomadic D. wrote:

    Wow. Super impressed, yet again. You rock. Who knew you were such a precision driller too?

    http://www.nomadicd.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  7. this is definitely different! love it..xo, Alma
    http://www.soulofashopper.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  8. Rachelle wrote:

    That is amazing, so cool.

    xo
    http://pinksole.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  9. What a great idea! I love the look but not sure if I’m skilled enough to do it! 🙂
    http://www.socharming.co.uk

    4.16.13
    Reply
  10. SUPER cute! Such a great blog- keep up the amazing work! xx Sallie

    http://www.Bluebonnetsforsal.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  11. Alessandra wrote:

    impressive!!!
    they are fantastic!!!
    xxxx Ale

    4.16.13
    Reply
  12. Denisa wrote:

    Wow, that looks perfect and it is so creative. Have a nice day.

    http://www.fashiondenis.com/

    4.16.13
    Reply
  13. Probably my favorite DIY to date 🙂

    4.16.13
    Reply
  14. This is so genius and unique! Jeeeez!

    xx Ashleigh
    http://www.ashflynn.blogspot.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  15. Sketch42 wrote:

    LOVE!!! I have been DYING to try this!

    4.16.13
    Reply
  16. brooke wrote:

    whoa! this is pretty advanced crafting! i love the look of these glasses, but definitely could not do them myself!

    http://www.insparisian.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  17. Oh my!
    Those sunnies look absolutely amazing!
    Think I’m gonna DIY mine since I have the Dremel, too!
    Yeah!

    http://9lla.it/
    Fashion & DIYs

    4.16.13
    Reply
  18. meg wrote:

    These turned out great!
    So fun for spring.

    http://happinessiscreating.com/

    4.16.13
    Reply
  19. janika R wrote:

    This is amazing.

    xo Janika
    http://crazysketchbook.blogspot.com/

    4.16.13
    Reply
  20. M & M wrote:

    Wow, super cool! Unique and cute.

    http://www.neatobonito.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  21. Sangs wrote:

    Amazing and super cool.
    Style Dabba

    4.16.13
    Reply
  22. stop it – amazing.

    4.16.13
    Reply
  23. amalie wrote:

    no way these are awesome!
    x

    4.16.13
    Reply
  24. Frances wrote:

    OMG THIS IS SO GREAT! NEVERRR SEE THIS BEFORE! LOVE IT XXX

    4.16.13
    Reply
  25. Noemi wrote:

    Love it!!!

    4.16.13
    Reply
  26. leslie wrote:

    I’m dumbfounded! Speechless! Stunned!

    4.16.13
    Reply
  27. Meghan wrote:

    This is amazing! Ulyana Sergeenko is my favorite…she’s so folksy chic!

    4.16.13
    Reply
  28. Elyse wrote:

    Very clever!
    Love embroidery in unexpected places. I use it a lot in my own jewelry.

    4.16.13
    Reply
  29. Angela wrote:

    Ok, I’m IN LOVE!!! How AMAZING is that?! I want to try it ASAP! Thank you so much for sharing! You are always so full of clever and creative ideas!

    4.16.13
    Reply
  30. These are so quirky and adorable! The design/pattern possibilities are threatening to make my head explode…in a good way. 🙂

    4.16.13
    Reply
  31. This is seriously such an incredible and unique DIY! Perfect for spring! Can’t wait to try it!

    xoxo
    Juliette Laura
    juliettelaura.blogspot.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  32. OMG ! This is wonderful ! Great Job ! 🙂

    http://www.thegreatkate.com.pl

    4.16.13
    Reply
  33. chelsea wrote:

    WHOA gettin sassy with that drill! amazing work y’all!

    4.16.13
    Reply
  34. Marnette Hurt wrote:

    Cool! And I already have a Dremel, graph paper and know how to cross stitch. I just need to go find a cool pair of sunglasses.
    Thanks for the tute.

    4.16.13
    Reply
  35. Luke wrote:

    Hey! 🙂 Nice blog you’re having!

    Regards from Bremen, Germany
    Luke

    http://fewfunkywords.blogspot.de/

    4.16.13
    Reply
  36. Holy cow these are incredible!
    xo
    Lia
    Smart n Snazzy

    4.16.13
    Reply
  37. OMG how cool is this! Thank you!!!

    4.16.13
    Reply
  38. Alyx wrote:

    Obsessed with these ideas.

    alyxtheprincess.blogspot.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  39. i.s. wrote:

    seriously stellar! xx
    http://www.vicariousLA.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  40. Lauren wrote:

    Love these!! I’m def gonna try this
    Lauren
    livinginaboxx

    4.16.13
    Reply
  41. Gen wrote:

    This looks SOO cool!

    raspberry-notes.blogspot.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  42. Susanne wrote:

    Vielen Dank für die tolle Anleitung und die wunderbare Idee.
    Liebe Grüße
    susanne

    4.16.13
    Reply
  43. Ruby wrote:

    Sorry, I gotta say these look stupid and unattractive. Also would be distracting to try to see out of. Goofy.

    4.16.13
    Reply
  44. Wow! Such a great art!
    You are so creative!
    Thanks for this!!

    click this, NEW POST on my blog: http://www.fashionerza.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  45. Britte wrote:

    Félicitations, surtout que…je ne sais pas …”coudre 1 bouton” …!!
    N’essayerais-je pas avec auto-collants (petits) pour les ongles ? Plus raisonnable sur les “branches”, alors ?De plus…pas de Dremel !
    Bravo ! Merci .
    Vi

    4.16.13
    Reply
  46. Jessica wrote:

    Ok, these are awesome! I never though embroidered sunglasses would be a thing, but after seeing this, I’m pretty glad they are. Fantastic job on the DIY, by the way! Your sunglasses look pretty couture to me!

    4.16.13
    Reply
  47. Lucia wrote:

    wow cool!!!! love this 🙂

    4.16.13
    Reply
  48. Xeana wrote:

    Great diy! It looks really like a Couture!

    From http://www.xeanafashion.com

    4.16.13
    Reply
  49. That is simply utterly fantastic! One of the best DIY I have seen to be frank. Keep on doing more of your DIY stuff, really enjoy it.

    Check out http://www.shoebox-living.com for home interior DIY.

    Ciao / Bella

    4.16.13
    Reply
  50. This is so cool!!

    xxx
    Naomi
    http://www.bonnieclydemarni.com

    4.17.13
    Reply
  51. Fey wrote:

    Love the idea!!
    SO cute and trendy for the summer 🙂

    4.17.13
    Reply
  52. Laura wrote:

    Amazing idea !
    http://www.thestilettoholic.com/
    Love from Paris <3

    4.17.13
    Reply
  53. Yirah wrote:

    wow… so crazy and funny!! I love it!

    4.17.13
    Reply
  54. Janis wrote:

    I saw Ulyana Sergeenko‘s glasses last week and tried to make a pair. When I drilled my holes, it left one side very rough. Did you have this problem and if so how did you smooth the holes? Your glasses turned out amazing! You are very talented.

    4.17.13
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Janis, I didn’t have this problem. I like to line up the drill (in the off position) over the marked area and then, while holding the drill upright and applying pressure, I then turn the drill on. Hope that helps!

      4.17.13
  55. Smartest DIY I’ve seen in months!!
    Thanks 4 sharing 😀

    4.17.13
    Reply
  56. Esther wrote:

    These look amazing.

    http://lovealwaysesther.com

    4.17.13
    Reply
  57. JP wrote:

    I wonder if you’d do a DIY for one of Ulyana’s amazing headpieces?
    http://m.pinterest.com/pin/84512930479350617/

    4.17.13
    Reply
  58. Laura wrote:

    Oh wow, I’m enlessly impressed by your skills with a power tool! These sunglasses are adorable.

    4.17.13
    Reply
  59. Mun wrote:

    Wow i’ve never quite seen anything like this before…. embroidery sunglasses have never even crossed my mind! This is so very creative!

    4.18.13
    Reply
  60. Janis wrote:

    Thanks for the tip Erica. I’ll try that on the next pair. The URL shows the pair I made.

    4.18.13
    Reply
  61. Amy wrote:

    Such a fabulous idea! The glasses look great.

    4.18.13
    Reply
  62. Kathi wrote:

    Love this idea, have to try and make myself a pair. Thanks for sharing.

    4.21.13
    Reply
  63. wrote:

    OMG u looks like Julie Sarinana!are u sisters??haha
    love the idea! really great!

    4.21.13
    Reply
  64. inka.wtkyn wrote:

    hey, this is so cool! 😀 i´m little bit worried of drilling the little holes into the glass, but must try it 😉

    4.22.13
    Reply
  65. Carrie wrote:

    Cool project! I want a pair.

    4.23.13
    Reply
  66. Susan wrote:

    So what if you did some free standing embroidery, then use Aleen’s “Tack it over & over” and just stick the embroidery onto the glasses?

    4.23.13
    Reply
  67. Eleanor wrote:

    Love this modern and vintage combination! Just ordered a dremel drill, your project tipped the scales on my terrible decision making.

    4.24.13
    Reply
  68. tereza wrote:

    These are super cleaver!!!

    4.25.13
    Reply
  69. Terri wrote:

    My dear, you are a clever and inventive person! I love innovation like this! It gets ya thinking about what else you could do on the same line! Great job!

    4.27.13
    Reply
  70. Lelde wrote:

    Wow. they look amazing!!! Ladies, visit http://www.stylewhile.com and create your summer style!

    4.28.13
    Reply
  71. nataly wrote:

    thank you thank you thank you!
    I was so in love with this sunglasses that a month ago I called Ulyana Sergeenko show room in Moscow to buy them but didn’t expect them to cost $2400. so I cried to my husband and he said, no way!
    I had no choice, I do love my husband after all, so I had to made them! and they came out amazing. I discovered that you can make the holes with the drill using a thick yarn needle. it’s point helps with precision. also, if you get some residue plastic on the drill or needle, use a candle to burn it and quickly remove with paper towel.
    it took me about 4-5 hours to make but was worth it.

    http://i42.tinypic.com/uvg9i.jpg

    4.29.13
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @nataly, wow, your glasses turned out amazing!!! so glad we could inspire you to make your own! xx

      4.29.13
  72. these are absolutely adorable!
    -JD

    5.1.13
    Reply
  73. Libby wrote:

    Nail polish remover on plastic lenses? No way, no day. If you use a water-based marker you won’t have to worry about removing stray marks or mistakes.

    5.6.13
    Reply
  74. Lisa wrote:

    Wow these are awesome! Never seen anything like them

    5.6.13
    Reply
  75. Aubrey wrote:

    This is f**king amazing! I never would never have thought up something as cool as this!

    5.6.13
    Reply
  76. Lina wrote:

    Wow that is seriously AMAZING!

    5.8.13
    Reply
  77. Charley wrote:

    Brilliant! I know you used an electric drill but I’m still amazed (in a pleasantly surprised way of course) that the glass didn’t shatter.

    http://chiccheat.co.uk

    5.8.13
    Reply
  78. Anna wrote:

    What a great idea!! I must share these cute sunglasses ^ ^
    http://seamsandstrawberries.blogspot.co.uk/

    5.8.13
    Reply
  79. June wrote:

    Insane DIY!

    5.9.13
    Reply
  80. Rachel wrote:

    it sounds like there’s been success, but I’m still scared to use my boyfriend’s dremel… with the current cross stitch trend I’ve seen projects using paint to simulate the effect. I know it won’t give such a high end/amazing outcome, but will still be unique (and I will continue to avoid power tools) thanks for the inspiration!

    5.11.13
    Reply
  81. Dk wrote:

    I totally love this! I’m going to try it ASAP!! Plus you
    Can glue or sew embellishments like pearls and beads!

    5.18.13
    Reply
  82. Sarah wrote:

    Love this; if you don’t have a drill then heat the needle enough to melt the plastic and it’ll slide right through to make a hole.

    5.21.13
    Reply
  83. Malika wrote:

    Wow ! Incredible! I like it, and I’ll try to do something like that
    Thanks for this tuto !!!
    Peace and kiss

    6.3.13
    Reply
  84. NanaB wrote:

    I might try these for my 3 granddaughter. Yours are fabulous.

    6.10.13
    Reply
  85. Shana wrote:

    This is the best DIY I’ve ever tried! Mucho thanks. I love, love, love the sunnies but I think I was more excited to use the dremel tool for the first time. Didn’t take long to get the hang of it and then it was a breeze. So so happy with the results.

    6.16.13
    Reply
  86. Solskin wrote:

    Ohhh LOVE it. Took me some time but here is my creation
    http://playingstitches.comeze.com/?lang=en

    Thank you Erica, for your lovely inspiry blog!

    6.23.13
    Reply
  87. Jennifer King wrote:

    The DMC Threads blog, recently posted a chart and written instructions on how to create the cross stitched sunglasses (http://dmc-threads.com/fabulous-fish/). However, Erica your post about how to create these cool glasses is still the best. The photographs are so helpful and clear. I added a comment to the DMC post referring people to you post.

    7.6.13
    Reply
  88. Jennifer King wrote:

    @nataly, do you have a blog where you post about how you created your glasses. I pinned your photograph to my Pinterest Board, Cross Stitch Clothing & Accessories (http://pinterest.com/jakinglife/cross-stitch-clothing-accessories/). I would like to provide more credit for you or link back to a blog with details of your project.

    7.6.13
    Reply
  89. Unique concept and very newly idea. I have never seen before this kind of thing but its very impressive.

    7.10.13
    Reply
  90. These are so cool 🙂 Can’t wait to try it.

    8.18.13
    Reply
  91. Erica wrote:

    I FUCKING LOVE THIS! http://www.fashionlifetruth.com

    12.2.13
    Reply
  92. Unique concept!

    my web page: Costume jewellery

    12.21.13
    Reply
  93. I’m definitely going to make these. Just curious did the drill bit and collet you used come with your Dremel or did you have to purchase separately? Thank you!

    12.28.13
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Cristin I purchased the drill bit separately. Good luck!

      12.28.13
  94. Vanilla wrote:

    wow, I have to try these tomorrow!
    —Getting ready for SUMMER oh yeah they rock sooo much!!
    Thanks for your great tutorial with those fabolous pictures <3

    http://vanilladreamin.blogspot.de/

    3.25.14
    Reply
  95. Meredith wrote:

    Holy cow! I will be trying this ASAP! Great idea!!!

    http://www.lelaandlace.com

    6.7.14
    Reply
  96. It’s very creative thinking ^^

    7.6.14
    Reply
  97. Wow, nice! I’m a bit scared to try this on my sunnies though as they’re pretty ex (I need prescription lenses and those always cost a bit!) I wonder if there’s a way to do it without drilling the lens….

    10.20.14
    Reply
  98. Looks really good.
    We just love sunglasses 🙂 especially Wayfarer.

    Just take a look
    http://menwithstyle.dk

    4.29.16
    Reply
  99. marwa wrote:

    hi dear
    i want to buy embroidered sunglasses please , do u have online store please ?

    3.6.17
    Reply
  100. Đàm Vinh wrote:

    Great! It looks very nice and creative, I like it very much

    4.4.17
    Reply