Supplies
Hand embroidery supplies for beginners
You can start with six inexpensive items. Here's exactly what to look for, with links to compare prices on Amazon and Walmart.
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The six beginner essentials
Everything in this list is what the Beginner Guide is written around.
- 6-inch wooden embroidery hoop
Big enough to see your work, small enough to hold comfortably. Get one with a screw.
- Six-strand cotton embroidery floss
Look for a variety pack in 50 colors or more. It is inexpensive and separates easily.
- Crewel embroidery needles, sizes 3–9
Sharp points with a long eye for floss. A mixed pack covers everything in the guide.
- Cotton or linen fabric
Smooth, medium-weight woven fabric. Fat quarters of quilting cotton are ideal.
- Small embroidery scissors
Fine points to snip close to your stitches. Keep them only for thread.
- Water-soluble fabric marking pen
Rinses out in cool water. Test on a scrap of your fabric first.
Helpful extras
Not required, but they make stitching easier and more comfortable.
- Stick-and-stitch stabilizer
Print or trace a design, peel, stick and stitch through it, then rinse it away. Brilliant on towels and dark fabric.
- Needle threader
A small wire loop that makes threading painless, especially with tired eyes.
- Floss bobbins and organizer box
Keeps your colors tidy and untangled.
- LED light pad for tracing
Makes transferring patterns onto fabric quick and accurate.
- Magnifier lamp or neck magnifier
Good light and magnification make small stitches much easier to see.
- Needle minder magnet
Holds your needle on the fabric between stitches so it doesn't get lost.
Ready to go further
When you are ready for your next projects.
- Beginner embroidery kit with pattern
A complete kit with printed fabric is a relaxing next project.
- Iron-on embroidery transfer patterns
Pre-printed designs you simply iron onto fabric.
- Aida cloth for cross stitch
Grid fabric for counted cross stitch. 14-count is the beginner standard.
- Hoop frames for display
A finished hoop makes a lovely gift. Larger and decorative hoops for framing.
Free download
Learn the basics with the free Beginner Guide
18 illustrated pages: 12 essential stitches, the Spring Wreath and butterfly projects, clean tracing sheets and a printable practice tracker. Pay what you want, even $0.