These embroiderers (formerly part of the tailors, seamstresses, & sewing tools linkspage) show both embroidery both as a profession and as a pastime. Note the evolution in tools used to stretch the fabric to be worked.

• Three queens spinning, weaving, and embroidering, Avis aus Roys (PML M.456, fol. 56r), c. 1340-1360
• Bezalel and Oholiab make a tabernacle for the Ark of the Covenant with ten curtains (fol. 15v) , The Paduan Bible Picture Book (British Library MS Add. 15277), fourth quarter of the 14th century
• The Holy Family, a book of hours from Spain (British Library Add. 18193, fol. 48v) made after 1461
• A lady embroiders near a window by the garden, Livre des Prouffis Champestres et Ruraux (PML M.232, fol. 157r), c. 1470
• Needleworkers in the Triumph of Minerva frescoes by Francesco del Cossa at Palazzo Schifanoia, c. 1476-1484
• An embroiderer and demonstrations of different methods of transferring patterns to fabric in Paganino’s Il Burato, 1527
• The Silk-Embroiderer, Das Ständebuch, 1568
• A woman embroiders in the background of the portrait of Gabrielle d’Estrées and her Her Sister, the Duchess of Villars, c. 1594
• Frontispiece of Johann Siebmacher's Schön Neues Modelbuch, 1597
• Ladies in a garden embroidering, Album Amicorum of Gervasius Fabricius (British Library MS Add. 17025, fol. 50), c. 1603
• Jacob Leupoltt, Landauer Hausbuch (Amb. 279.2, fol. 94v), 1625
• Alexander Hohlfelder, Mendel Hausbuch (Amb. 317b.2, fol. 103r), 1626
• A personification of Industry in the frontispiece of John Taylor’s The Needles Excellency, 1631
• The Young Virgin by Francisco de Zurbarán, c. 1632-1633; also see Christ and the Virgin in the House at Nazareth (c. 1640) and Childhood of the Virgin (1658-1660)
• A woman embroidering by Abraham Bosse

Thanks to Jerusha for the suggestions for additional links!