Beginner’s Guide to Embroidery

Supplies, Patterns and Getting Started

If embroidery has been sitting on your ‘one day’ list, you might be surprised at how accessible it truly is. With just a few simple supplies and a little curiosity, you can begin stitching straight away.

This beginner embroidery guide will walk you through the essential supplies, how embroidery thread works, how to transfer patterns to fabric, and how to choose a meaningful home for your finished piece. Whether you are completely new to stitching or returning after a long pause, these foundations will help you begin with confidence.

On resources, stitching is feather light. A piece of fabric, a needle and some thread and you are set. Of course, there are optional extras that can make the process smoother as you grow in skill, but starting simply allows you to explore embroidery without pressure.

Embroidery Supplies for Beginners

The Basics

Fabric

Cotton, linen or a cotton linen blend (with a weight of 180-200gsm).

Thread

Stranded Cotton Embroidery Thread is ideal (I use DMC Mouliné Spécial). 

Needle

I use DMC Chenille No.24 but any needle with a sharp point and a large eye will work.

Scissors

A small pair that are easy to hold. (Remember...only use your fabric scissors on fabric and paper scissors on paper to keep them sharp longer.

 

Helpful Extras

Embroidery Hoop

Hoops hold the fabric perfectly taut as you work, helping you create consistent tension with the thread. I use Nurge hoops and my favourite sizes are:

• 100mm / 4 inch (Nurge No. 1)

• 130mm / 5 inch (Nurge No. 2)

• 160mm / 6 inch (Nurge No. 3)

• 190mm / 8 inch (Nurge No. 4)

 

Embroidery Stand

A stand will allow you to focus both hands on stitching, while it secures the hoop for you.

Heat Erasable Pen

These pens make transferring embroidery patterns to fabric much easier and can be simply erased with a hairdryer after you’ve stitched.

Light Box

You can use a sunny window to transfer a pattern but a light box is a wonderful addition.

 

Choosing a Home for Your Stitches

Before starting an embroidery project, it helps to think about where your finished piece will live. Will it stay framed in the hoop? Or perhaps become part of a handmade gift?

Planning this early can guide your fabric choice, hoop size and design placement. It also helps you stitch with intention, knowing your work has a clear purpose.

Simple beginner-friendly ideas include:

• Framing your finished design in the hoop

• Embellishing a plain tea towel

• Adding embroidery to a small bag. You can find a simple beginner sewing project like my drawstring bags pattern here.

• Stitching a greeting card

• Customising woven clothing

 

Practising and Building Confidence

There are moments I just need to just put needle to fabric. Maybe I’m visualising a new colour combination or practising a new stitch I can’t quite understand. This is when it’s helpful to have a doodle space! I use a little scrap of fabric (often an old toile from a sewing project) as my trial space, to have a go without worrying about perfect formation or lots of unpicking!

Understanding Embroidery Thread

Embroidery thread, often called embroidery floss, is made of six twisted strands. We often use different numbers of strands for stitches in a project. To get the quantity of strands you need simply split the thread at the end and separate, sliding one finger along the middle while holding the floss taut. When you’re ready to stitch, thread the needle and tie a little knot at the end.

 

Preparing Your Fabric

If you are going to keep your embroidery on the hoop after you’ve finished, you can simply cut the fabric about 5cm larger than the hoop. If you are coupling your embroidery with a sewing project, go ahead and cut out the appropriate pattern piece before you start to embroider.

 

Choosing an Embroidery Pattern

To create an embroidery design, you will usually work from a pattern template. If you are just starting out, look for beginner embroidery patterns that use only a few stitches and clear line work. Simple, repetitive designs help you build confidence and rhythm before moving on to more detailed pieces.

You can create your own design, sketch something simple, or purchase a pattern from an embroidery designer. Patterns are typically available in three formats:

• Kits (with pre-marked fabric and supplies included)

• Stick and stitch designs (which attach directly to your fabric)

• PDF embroidery patterns (downloadable files you print at home)

If using a PDF pattern, check that your printer is set to 100 percent scale to ensure accurate sizing.

If you’re looking for a simple design to begin with, The Branch embroidery pattern uses just two stitches and is designed with beginners in mind.

 

How to Transfer an Embroidery Pattern to Fabric

To transfer a printed embroidery design onto your fabric there are two good options. Firstly, you can tape your printed pattern onto a sunny window. Then tape your fabric on top (remember to centralise your placement with the design below). Using your chosen marking tool you can now trace the pattern. Alternatively, you can use a light box. It is much easier this way, since you can trace on a flat table surface and the consistent light makes the pattern more visible to trace.

 

If you're more of a visual learner, you'll find these tips and tricks in the video below:

 

 

I hope knowing a little more helps you feel braver to give embroidery a go!

Enjoy every stitch,

Lisa x