Warning: this is not your Grandma’s embroidery.

A new crop of artists are turning the world of crocheted tea towels on its head with textile stitchery that is original and refreshingly modern.

Julia Fioravanti, primarily known for her cut paper works, is using her experience with fabric design and illustration to create contemporary hand-embroidery work that’s colorful, slightly political, and intricate. The details are dazzling and microscopic – making each creation a true keepsake.

Embroidery is naturally slow work and not an afternoon project for any DIY enthusiast. Fioravanti isn’t the first artist to use the traditional crafts to express modern themes (see Inge Jacobsen or Zöe Buckman) but each piece, slightly larger than a palm, provides a beautiful remedy to today’s insta-gratification.