Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase after clicking on that link, I may receive a tiny commission. I only share products that I personally use and I believe in.
Welcome to Flossophy 101, a new series where we talk about all things related to making your home beautiful with hand embroidery. I'll answer your questions about getting started, the stitching process, and how to use + care for your stitched items.
Today we're starting with the very basics: what are the bare minimum tools you need to get started with embroidery?
I've got good news for you! Embroidery requires very few materials to start with, and you can get everything on this list for around $20-$25 USD.
Fabric. If you’re a complete beginner, I recommend practicing the most basic stitches on a finely woven fabric like cotton.
The Winterberry Napkins are an easy, beginner-friendly pattern stitched on a sturdy 100% cotton napkin. These would make a fabulous first embroidery project!
An embroidery hoop. I almost exclusively use wooden hoops, and a 6” hoop is a great all-purpose size to buy when you’re starting out.
Pictured is the Flora Tote Bag, another favorite beginner-friendly project!
Needles. I’d recommend picking up an assortment of embroidery needles from your local craft store. Here’s one I recommend from DMC that fits a variety of thread thicknesses:
Look for sizes 1-5! DMC makes a lot of different needle sizes, but I find these to be the most versatile.
Scissors. I like a small pair of thread snips so I can get close to the fabric, but any scissors will do when you first get started. I recently got these, and they're a great cheap option if you're just starting out:
Embroidery floss. The gold standard is DMC’s cotton 6-stranded embroidery floss. It’s cheap, durable, and easy to stitch with...and there are over 500 beautiful colors to choose from!
And that's it! Of course, if you’re following an embroidery pattern, you’ll also need a way to transfer your design to the fabric...but that’s a topic for another class! I hope this was helpful, and I’ll see you next time for another session of Flossophy 101. :) Have other questions about embroidery that you'd like me to answer? Drop them in the comments and I'll add them to my list for an upcoming episode of Flossophy 101!
Comments