Translation guide
The craft or activity of sewing, embroidery, or decorative stitching. In Japanese, the most common general term is 裁縫 (saihou), but specific types like embroidery or knitting have their own words.
The broad activity of sewing, mending, or making things with a needle and thread.
The standard word for sewing as a practical skill or school subject. Covers both hand sewing and machine sewing.
母は裁縫が得意です。
My mother is good at needlework.
学校で裁縫を習いました。
I learned needlework at school.
Refers to handicrafts in general, including sewing, knitting, embroidery, etc. Often used for hobbies.
手芸が趣味です。
Needlework is my hobby.
手芸店で糸を買いました。
I bought thread at the needlework shop.
Literally 'needle work'. A more casual, everyday term for sewing tasks, often mending or simple stitching.
針仕事がたまっている。
I have a pile of needlework to do.
Decorative stitching on fabric.
The specific term for embroidery. Can be used as a noun or verb (刺繍する).
この刺繍はとてもきれいですね。
This needlework (embroidery) is very beautiful.
ハンカチに刺繍をしました。
I embroidered a handkerchief.
Creating fabric from yarn using needles or hooks.
General term for knitting and crochet. Often used for the activity or the resulting fabric.
冬は編み物が楽しいです。
Needlework (knitting) is fun in winter.
If you're talking about sewing as a skill or school subject, use 裁縫. For decorative stitching, use 刺繍. For knitting or crochet, use 編み物. 手芸 is a safe catch-all for craft hobbies.