Family Birthdays Wall Hanging – Embroidered Numbers on Fabric

Keeping track of family birthdays is both a practical necessity and a wonderful way to celebrate loved ones year-round. Instead of relying on sticky notes or digital reminders, why not create a beautiful, handmade wall hanging that’s as decorative as it is functional?

This project uses a simple embroidery hoop, fabric, and hand-embroidered numbers using chain or stem stitch to display all the important dates in a way that blends with your home decor. It’s a craft project that makes a perfect family keepsake, a thoughtful gift, or a stylish organizational tool.

Why Make a Family Birthdays Wall Hanging?

A birthdays wall hanging turns something practical into a piece of art. Unlike paper calendars that get replaced each year, this fabric-based wall hanging can last for decades with care—and it carries the warmth of something handmade.

Related: 30 Most Popular Floral Hand Embroidered Garden Ideas

Benefits of this project include:

• Personalized Touch: Add names, birth dates, and even embroidered motifs that reflect your family’s personality.
• Eco-Friendly: Reusable and waste-free compared to disposable calendars.
• Decorative: Doubles as wall art for living rooms, kitchens, or entryways.
• Gift-Worthy: Makes an excellent handmade gift for parents, grandparents, or newlyweds.

Materials

• Embroidery Hoop (8–14 inches, depending on your design preference)
• Plain or Patterned Fabric (cotton or linen works well)
• Embroidery Floss (choose colors that match your home decor or the seasons)
• Embroidery Needle
• Water-Soluble Fabric Pen (for marking dates and numbers before stitching)
• Scissors
• Iron (to smooth fabric before starting)
• Optional: Decorative trims, beads, or ribbons to frame the hoop.
• Optional: Small fabric tags or wooden discs to add names under each number.

Related: Beginner’s Guide: Embroidery Journaling Your Threaded Story

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Fabric

Iron your fabric to remove wrinkles. Cut a piece slightly larger than your embroidery hoop so you can stretch it taut without fraying.

2. Plan the Layout

Draw a calendar grid or a circular design with the numbers 1–31 spaced evenly. Mark where each family member’s birthday will go. Some people choose a monthly layout while others prefer a single year-round chart.

Create an image on Canva with the birth dates, print and trace it on the fabric with carbon paper.

3. Stretch the Fabric

Place the fabric in the embroidery hoop, tightening the screw until it’s smooth and firm.

Tip: Place a piece of paper towel or backing on the back to support the stitches and get neat results.

4. Embroider the Numbers

Use a backstitch or satin stitch to embroider the numbers. You can use one color for all numbers or highlight special dates in a different shade.

Stem Stitch Tutorial:

Follow the image below with these instructions:

• Bring the thread out at a and hold it down with your thumb.  Insert the thread at b and bring it out at c, midway between a and b.
• Pull the thread through to see the first stitch.
• Now hold the working thread down with your thumb and insert the needle at d and bring it out at e, midway between d and b (note b is adjacent to e).
• Continue in this way, making each stitch exactly the same length.

View each image individually for better understanding. Images One, Two, Three and Four. I chose to go with turquoise for the date and brown for the month of our birth dates.

5. Add Names or Symbols

Beneath each important date, embroider the name or initials of the family member. You can also stitch small symbols (cupcakes, flowers, or hearts) for extra charm.

6. Finish the Back

Trim the excess fabric, fold it neatly, and glue or stitch it to the back of the hoop for a clean finish.

7. Display

Hang the hoop in a visible spot—such as your kitchen, family room, or hallway—where everyone can enjoy and reference it.

8. Creative Variations

1. Seasonal Colors: Use thread colors to reflect each season’s birthdays.
2. Fabric Appliqué: Add small fabric shapes for each birthday month.
3. Mixed Media: Combine hand embroidery with printed fabric panels for a modern twist.
4. Multiple Hoops: Create one hoop per season or per side of the family for a gallery wall effect.

A Family Birthdays Wall Hanging with an Embroidery Hoop is more than just a craft—it’s a celebration of your loved ones in a timeless, handmade way. With just a few materials and some creative stitching, you can make a piece that keeps family memories visible and cherished all year long.

Whether you’re a seasoned embroiderer or a beginner looking for a meaningful first project, this wall hanging is simple to make, highly customizable, and guaranteed to become a treasured part of your home.

Start yours today, and turn birthday reminders into beautiful art.

To see all the projects of this series, go to DIY Easy Wall Decor Complete Series.

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