Embroidery 101: How to Embroider for Beginners
Embroidery is a fun and creative way to add a unique touch to any fabric item. Whether you’re looking to spruce up a plain t-shirt, add a special touch to a baby blanket, or create a one-of-a-kind piece of art, embroidery is a great way to express yourself.
What You Need to Start
Before you can start embroidering, you’ll need to gather the necessary supplies. Here’s a list of the basics you’ll need to get started:
- Embroidery hoop
- Embroidery floss
- Embroidery needles
- Fabric
- Scissors
- Embroidery pattern (optional)
Step by Step Tutorial
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, you’re ready to start embroidering. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
- Choose your fabric. Make sure it’s a sturdy fabric that won’t fray easily. Cotton is a great choice for beginners.
- Cut your fabric to the desired size. Make sure it’s large enough to fit in your embroidery hoop.
- Place your fabric in the embroidery hoop. Make sure it’s tight and secure.
- Thread your needle with embroidery floss. Make sure the floss is long enough to complete your project.
- Start stitching. If you’re using a pattern, follow the instructions. If you’re creating your own design, start stitching in the center and work your way out.
- Continue stitching until your project is complete. Make sure to tie off the ends of your floss when you’re finished.
- Remove your project from the hoop and admire your work!
FAQs
What type of fabric should I use for embroidery?
Cotton is a great choice for beginners. It’s sturdy and won’t fray easily. You can also use linen, wool, or other types of fabric.
How do I transfer a pattern to my fabric?
You can use a transfer pen or pencil to transfer a pattern to your fabric. Simply trace the pattern onto the fabric and you’re ready to start stitching.
What type of stitches should I use?
There are many different types of stitches you can use for embroidery. The most common stitches are the backstitch, the running stitch, and the satin stitch. Experiment with different stitches to find the one that works best for your project.
How do I finish my project?
Once you’ve finished stitching, tie off the ends of your floss and remove your project from the hoop. You can then display your project or use it to decorate clothing, accessories, or other fabric items.
Do you need to split the floss strands, or is that necessary when making more detailed pieces with lots of shading? 🙂
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Are you using three strands?
Beautiful work! 👏
Where do I find the link to get these products
This step-by-step tutorial on embroidery for beginners is so helpful! The video covers everything you need to know to get started with embroidery.
Thank you
Please can you put the ZOOM. thank you.
Canada 🇨🇦👍
I’m also from the south and it’s great to hear a fellow southern say “Y’all”. You made it look very easy to start. I use to help my mom when I was younger with her threading. Heading to Hobby Lobby today to get some supplies.
ive been a bit intimidated by embroidery, , this was a great explanation, that i can visualise doing, best video ive seen ,thanks, seems more achievable
I only have one hoop do I need more than that
I have many hobbies and with that come many supplies. I have a huge bin full of old repurposed containers with all my craft supplies inside. Since I've moved into a smaller space doing projects has become a very messy affair. The intricate why I have to put things away in order for them to fit back into my bin is so tedious that I just give up and leave my containers/boxes of materials on the floor next to the box.
Today I just happened to go to michaels as I joyfully realised that they were open 1 hour later than I thought they were. I didn't know that I was going to end up going there to Grab some organizing bins untill I was in the isle and planning out what materials of mine would be getting a new home.
I got a few different kinds of containers. Once I got home I decided that I'd try organizing my crafting disaster. If I didn't end up using all the containers I could just return them.
Few hours later I have a mess on the floor and still sorting through everything… I decided to watch some embroidery videos to keep me company.
Well, you will not believe how absolutely thrilled I was when I saw your tackle box of threads so neatly sorted. I had just got bought the same box and it was the one box I didn't know what to put inside. All my threads already had a home in an old ice cream tub; but I realised in that moment that I had lost the lid to the tub because I had too many threads to fit inside anymore. On top of that I would keep all my unfinished friendship bracelet projects.
I had the biggest aha moment when you showed the neatly kept threads and that you use your ring to keep your working threads AND your scissors with you. Absolutely genius. In that moment I realised the biggest roadblock I have faced in completing all my projects and starting new ones: set up, planning, executing and the clean up/ put back of materials.
I decided to purchase more of the thread holders and store all my threads as you have done so that I may have more peace of mind starting a new project without fussing with the materials, just get going and enjoy crafting.
I will now be able to follow your tutorials without frustration. And the last thing I'll need are new thread colours!
Thank you so much for sharing this information! Your audio/ visual demonstration really helped me grasp the concept!
Thank you so much for this helpful tutorial! I just started embroidery without instructions, and it turned out pretty sloppy looking. I'm definitely going to try again soon with all the tips you gave!
My mom and I would like to start embroidering, and watching your video is very helpful! Thank you!
Me watching this. So i can make morbid occult art for my home deco 🫶🏻
This was so helpful! Thank you so much!
Just getting into this hobby and this was soooo helpful. Thank you!
Thank you
Thank You 🙂
This video is very informative! I have yet to watch it fully, but there's something that bothers me about the type of fabric to use. You said that any fabric will do (which is great, I didn't know that!) but I noticed that my fabric never stays flat 🥲 There are bumps even though I tightened the fabric very well with the hoops..I don't understand why 🙁
Thanks for the help, this video actually answered a lot of questions.
i got a kit for christmas ima try it tommorow i came to your vidio for some help
If you get a embroidery set it has thread with the set. Most people use DMC thread and you should write the color number on the little thread card. Sometimes you may need that number.
“Y’all” 🤠
This video was so well done 👏 This is now my favorite hubby after felting wool thank you so much
Thank you so much for all of your info! 💖 My Griti started teaching me how to cross stitch last night and now I wanna learn everything 😭😭
the links dont seem to work for me – is this happening for anyone else? they used to work 🙁
One other thing I love about embroidery is that it is also low-space requirements!
Did you go over needle sizes? When you use up your favorite color, you won’t know the color number to reorder it if you don’t note it on the spool.
When I’m doing an embroidery project with multiple colors, I use multiple treaded needles and pin the needle to a foam fabric and label the number color thread needle to the Guam fabric. It’s so much easier that way.
this is a new skill to unlock.. 😁 thank you so much for your video ♥️
Hi, I come from China. I like your videos.