How to Embroider: Tips and Materials for Embroidery

Embroidery is a method for stitching designs onto fabric using a needle and thread. Embroidery can be done using a special embroidery machine, but some stitchers enjoy embroidering by hand as a relaxing, productive hobby. The final product of embroidered work varies among stitchers. Some leave their finished project in the embroidery hoop and hang it on a wall as a framed work of art, while others embroider directly onto blankets, pillowcases, or clothing items, like shirts or hats.

Related hobbies include cross-stitch (in which you embroider on a grid), crochet (in which you use a hook to weave yarn together), and knitting (in which you use two needles to weave yarn together).

Embroidery is a simple and inexpensive hobby that only requires a few materials:

• Needle: While you can technically embroider with any type of needle, you can achieve the best results with an embroidery needle (also called a crewel needle). This type of needle has a sharp point for piercing the fabric and a long, thin eye for easier threading without stretching large holes every time you pull it through your fabric. Embroidery needles come in a range of sizes, from 8 to 20 (the latter number is the largest). A mid-sized needle (like 14) is usually a great starting point for new embroiderers. You can also buy a sampler pack to figure out which size works best for you.
• Embroidery hoop: An embroidery hoop is composed of two rings: a solid inner ring and an outer ring with a screw to twist to tighten or loosen the fit. This hoop, which can be made out of wood or plastic, is available in a range of sizes, from 3 to 12 inches. A mid-sized or larger hoop is ideal for a beginning embroiderer since it can be difficult to stitch in a small hoop.
• Fabric: The best fabric for hand embroidery is a soft, non-stretch fabric, like linen or felt. Thick fabric, like denim or shoe canvas, can be harder to pierce. Stretchy fabrics, like jersey cotton, can become unevenly stretched while in an embroidery hoop, resulting in warps and buckles in the fabric after you take it out of the hoop.
• Embroidery floss: Embroidery floss (also called embroidery thread) is a soft, cotton or polyester thread available in many different colors. It’s thicker than sewing thread so that it’s more visible when stitched onto fabric.
• Scissors: You can use any type of scissors to trim your fabric and cut your floss. For more precise cuts, purchase a pair of embroidery scissors, which have a smaller, sharper set of blades.
  
• Chalk pencil or fabric marker (optional): Use a chalk pencil or water-soluble pen to draw your embroidery design onto your fabric.

Whether you’re running into a snag or looking for ways to vary your stitching, here are some tips for beginner embroiderers:

1. 1. Try out fewer strands of floss. Most embroidery floss is a combination of six different small threads. First-time embroiderers often begin stitching with a whole six-stranded piece of floss. However, you may find the thick floss piece challenging to manage, looks chunky, and does not offer the level of detail you want in your project. Try out different numbers of strands until you find a thickness that’s right for your project—sometimes, using just one or two can give you the cleanest look.
2. 2. Experiment with different stitches. While embroidery can be as easy as making individual stitches in your fabric, there are many other basic stitch types that you can learn to create different textures and patterns in your embroidery stitches. Backstitch, French knots, satin stitch, chain stitch, straight stitch, split stitch, lazy daisy stitch, running stitch, and stem stitch are all great ones to learn. There are many online video tutorials to show you quickly and easily how to execute each stitch.
3. 3. Pay attention to your stitch lengths. Choosing the right stitch length is an essential part of achieving the right look for your embroidery work. If you’re stitching lines (for elements like flower stems or lettering), opt for even stitch lengths so that your line looks smooth and unbroken. If you’re needle painting or thread painting (a technique in which you aim for a more organic look similar to painting strokes), you may want to vary your stitch lengths for a less tidy look.
4. 4. Perfect your needle-threading technique. During a single embroidery session, you’ll find that you need to rethread your needle several times—whether because you’re using a lot of floss or your needle keeps slipping off the thread. The tip of your floss becoming fuzzy from your scissors-cut can be frustrating, as can having to coax a piece through a tight space. Instead of using the tip as your entry point through the needle, fold the floss over and nudge that loop through it. This technique will avoid the tiny hairs at the end of your floss.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to embroidery—from stretching the fabric to your final stitch:

1. 1. Stretch the fabric over the embroidery hoop. Loosen the screw at the top of your embroidery hoop to detach the two pieces. Place the two halves of your hoop on either side of your fabric. Squeeze the two pieces of the hoop back together, screw them tight, and then tug around the fabric until it’s tight.
2. 2. Decide on your design. Next, select your design. You can choose a simple line design or a portrait for more complexity. Depending on your preference, you can create your own embroidery patterns, find free patterns online, or buy one. While you can freehand your embroidery without an outline or sketch on your fabric, it will be much easier if you have a guide on the fabric to show you where to stitch. Use your chalk pencil or fabric marker to draw your desired subject onto the fabric. (If you’re having trouble getting the sketch to look acceptable, consider using iron-on paper to transfer a printed design onto your fabric.)
3. 3. Thread your needle. Cut a long piece of floss (about the length of your arm) from your skein. Take one end of your floss and thread it through the needle eye, letting it dangle a few inches from the eye—avoid tying the floss to the needle. On the other end of the floss, tie a few knots on top of each other so that that end won't slip through your fabric.
4. 4. Make your first stitch. Starting from the back of the fabric in the hoop, pull the needle and floss through until the thread stops on the knot. Then, pick a spot on the front of your felt and push the needle through, leaving one line of floss that resembles a brushstroke in your fabric.
5. 5. Continue making stitches. Repeat the process of creating individual stitches along your pattern. The back of the fabric may start to look messy, which is acceptable because you’ll only present the front as the final product.
6. 6. Tie off your last stitch. When you’re close to using up the entire thread, thread your needle through the messy back of your project and tie a knot in the thread before cutting it. If you still have more embroidering to do before your project is finished, thread your needle with a new piece of floss and continue the process.

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