Image of a hand holding a raffia zip pouch bag with a blue parrot embroidered on to it in front of a palm tree lined coast.
Image of a hand holding a raffia zip pouch bag with a blue parrot embroidered on to it in front of a palm tree lined coast.

Raffia Embroidery

A joyful, colourful and textured technique inspired by traditional Caribbean straw crafts.

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What is raffia embroidery?

Raffia embroidery is a hand embroidery technique decorating natural raffia fabric with paper, synthetic or natural raffia yarn using a needle. Natural raffia is a natural fibre from the leaves of the raffia palm tree. The result is textured, bold, and when using brightly coloured yarns, vibrant designs.

I developed this technique, inspired by traditional Caribbean straw crafts, when designing the Windrush Collection. It's beginner-friendly, relaxing, and needs no previous embroidery experience.

Is raffia embroidery hard to learn?

Not at all! It’s a very simple technique - most people pick up the basics whilst doing their first project.

A close-up of a hand embroidery a pineapple design onto a large raffia embroidery hoop. The person's hand and curly dark hair are visible on the left side, with a green monstera leaf in the background.

Caribbean-Inspired Embroidery

I first started working with raffia while designing my graduate collection in 2017. I was inspired by my Caribbean heritage and the straw souvenirs that decorated the homes of the Windrush Generation when they came to the UK. I started looking into traditional Caribbean straw crafts, and on a fabric research trip discovered natural raffia fabric which has a similar look and feel to the materials used in the Caribbean.

Read more about my collection

Since then, I’ve haven’t stopped exploring raffia embroidery! An outfit from my graduate Windrush Collection is now part of the London Museum's permanent collection, and I've spent years teaching this craft to others through workshops, kits, and now my book.

A close-up of a handbag held by two people wearing colourful raffia embroidered clothing. The bag is made of natural raffia with bright multicolour embroidery and fringe, featuring the text 'YOU CALLED WE CAME' and tropical motifs like flowers, leaves, a banana, and a lemon slice.
Raffia Bag
A model with curly red hair is shown from the side wearing a raffia coat decorated with colourful tropical embroidery, including green monstera leaves, pink hibiscus flowers, and a yellow faux-fur collar, set against a solid blue background.
Raffia Coat
Hands holding a raffia embroidery hoop with some green embroidery filling in a monstera leaf shape.
Raffia Monstera Leaf in Progress
Image of a close up of two models, one with red curly hair the other with black curly hair wearing raffia embroidery jackets.
Raffia Madras Pattern
A woman with curly auburn hair is shown from the back wearing a light blue denim jacket with a large raffia pineapple embroidery on the back. The jacket features a light blue denim body and sleeves, with a beige raffia panel on the back decorated with a large yellow and green pineapple motif and turquoise and orange geometric patterns.
Raffia Denim Jacket
Image of a raffia embroidery wall hanging with the phrase 'find your happy place' embroidered onto it with each word a different colour - pink, orange, yellow and green - held up by a banana shaped dark wooden handle.
Raffia wall hanging

For me, raffia embroidery is not only a joyful textile technique, but also a way of celebrating the Caribbean and keeping the Windrush story alive.

Learn more about my story

How to learn raffia embroidery?

Try a Raffia Embroidery Kit

Try a Raffia Embroidery Kit

Everything you need to create your own piece of raffia embroidery at home, at your own pace.

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Workshops in London

Workshops in London

Join me in person for a relaxed, hands-on session. All materials provided, no experience needed.

See Workshop Dates
Do a project from the book

Do a project from the book

My debut book, Raffia Embroidery, includes 10 projects with templates & step-by-step guidance.

Explore the Book

Raffia Embroidery FAQ

Frequently asked questions about raffia embroidery.

What is raffia embroidery?

Raffia embroidery is a hand embroidery technique decorating natural raffia fabric with paper, synthetic or natural raffia yarn using a needle. The result is textured, bold and distinctive.

Is raffia embroidery easy to learn?

Yes! Raffia embroidery is beginner-friendly and doesn't require any previous embroidery experience. Most people learn the basic technique within their first project.

What can you make with raffia embroidery? 

Raffia embroidery can be used to create hoop art, wall hangings and bags. You can use it to decorate straw hats, denim jackets and other accessories. I also use it in fashion design, making pieces completely from raffia.



What is raffia?

There are three types of raffia:

Natural raffia: a natural fibre made from the leaves of the raffia palm tree, which thrives in Madagascar and other tropical regions.

Paper raffia: a man-made alternative made from wood pulp or cellulose.

Synthetic raffia: another man-made from a mix of materials such as cellulose, rayon, nylon, or polypropylene.



Can children do raffia embroidery?

Yes, under adult supervision, children as young as 6 can try raffia embroidery. I often work with museums to run family workshops, so follow me on Instagram (@tiharasmith) to know when the next one is.

Where can I buy raffia yarn for embroidery?

I sell a selection of paper raffia yarn here on my website.

Where to buy raffia?

I sell woven natural raffia fabric by the sheet, perfect for raffia embroidery or other raffia crafts.

Want to learn more about raffia embroidery?

If you're excited by raffia embroidery, and want to learn more about new kit launches, workshop dates and little bit more about the inspiration behind it, join my email list and follow me on Instagram!