Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric with thread or yarn using a needle. It has a long history dating back 30,000 years, with early examples found in Russia and China from 6000 BC. Different stitches were used over time, including running stitch, backstitch, and couching stitch. Machines were later developed to assist with embroidery during the Industrial Revolution. The document provides instructions on creating an embroidery patch, including choosing a design, using various hand stitches like running stitch and French knot, and experimenting with color mixing techniques. Students are encouraged to draw their own detailed designs on fabric before starting to hand embroider their patches.