ESSENTIALS FOR HAND EMBROIDERY

You can embroider on almost any fabric. Beautiful needlework can be created on cotton, wool, linen, felt, or even denim and leather. Keep in mind that heavier materials necessitate sturdier needles, whereas thinner fabrics pucker when stitching bold embroidery lettering or filled in forms.

One of the best aspects of embroidery is that it is simple to get started. You may start stitching a variety of projects with just a few simple and inexpensive supplies. And, depending on your skill level, you may already have a needle and thread on hand!

1. Hoops for embroidery

If you’re going to stitch on fabric, you’ll need at least two embroidery hoops of varied sizes. They range in size from a few inches to more than a foot. Most are made of wood or plastic, and you must tighten a screw at the top of the hoop to keep the fabric taut while working.

2. Cotton Stranded

DMC stranded cotton floss is by far the most popular embroidery thread. It comes in skeins of six strands, which you may use all together as a thicker thread or break into smaller strands for different stitching effects. DMC floss comes in a variety of colors, each with its own unique number. All of the hand embroidery patterns on Wandering Threads Embroidery include a list of DMC cotton floss colors that are recommended. Most sewing and craft businesses carry DMC floss.

3. Scissors

You can cut thread with any scissors, but it’s easier to cut thread with a sharp pair in hand. This will keep your floss from fraying. (Threading a needle with torn floss is significantly more difficult!)

4. Needles

Of course, you’ll need a needle to embroider, but it’s worth understanding how the size works. Embroidery needles are numbered 1–12, with the lower number indicating a greater size (e.g. 1 would be larger than 12). Not all needles are created equal. Look for needles designed for embroidery rather than tapestry.

5. Stabilizer stick and stitch

Stick & stitch stabilizer is a unique paper pack that goes in your printer. Patterns can be printed onto its unique fibers, which you then peel and adhere onto your cloth. After you’ve finished stitching, simply wash it away with warm water.

6. Fabric pens

Fabric marking pens and pencils are available in a variety of colors and styles. There are air-erasable pens and pencils that fade over time, water-erasable pens and pencils that fade with a dab of water, and even an iron-on transfer pencil.

7. Floss Keeper:

As your embroidery floss collection increases, an organizer box may come in helpful. You can use any style of box and a set of floss bobbins (a fishing tackle box works great). You may also buy a floss organizer that comes with bobbins and labels to label the floss numbers.

Bottom line:

The longer you embroider, the more you’ll learn that there are a plethora of supplies that, while not strictly necessary for stitching, make the hobby easier and more fun. These aren’t sophisticated tools—in fact, several of them double as office supplies—but they keep you organized and allow you to push yourself with increasingly complicated designs.