What Do You Need to Learn Embroidery?

While embroidery is not an overly difficult craft to learn, it may seem daunting when you are just starting out. This guide will help you understand the best methods for learning embroidery and the foundational knowledge you need to make the learning process easier. Once you have mastered the basics, you can move on to more advanced patterns and techniques. 

What is Embroidery?

Embroidery involves using a needle and thread to stitch designs on fabric. These designs range from simple stitching such as monogramming and lettering, to intricate works of art such as scenes from nature, portraits, and abstract designs. The possibilities with embroidery are endless; many types of textiles can be embroidered such as clothing, pillows, napkins, towels, blankets, hats, and bags, as well as plain fabric that can be hung on the wall as artwork. 

Hand embroidery has deep roots in history, with some of the earliest surviving embroidered pieces found in the burial mounds of Scythians, a nomadic group of people originating from Southern Siberia around 900 BCE. Scythians (who some say may have inspired the "Game of Thrones" Dothraki tribe) may have been formidable horse warriors but they also thrived in the decorative arts; much of their clothing found by archaeologists is beautifully embroidered with intricate designs. 

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, embroidery was included in the education of young ladies in the wealthier classes as it was considered a socially acceptable form of artistic expression for women. While working-class women would sew garments to make a living, the upper class saw embroidery as a hobby to fill their abundant free time. Although some women, including Queen Charlotte and English Quaker poet and abolitionist Mary Knowles, could replicate great artworks with a needle and thread, embroidery was deemed a lower art form than others such as painting. This was partly because it was considered "women's work" and thus deemed inferior by the patriarchy. 

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The Feminist Art Movement beginning in the 1960s sought to redefine what makes quality art, blurring the lines between lowbrow and highbrow art forms so that all art (including what is considered crafts like quilting, knitting, and embroidery) is seen as valuable. Feminist artists like Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro included needlework in their mixed media artwork to produce subversive artwork that represented women's experiences and history.

Benefits of Learning Embroidery?

Learning embroidery will give you the skills to create a wide variety of projects for yourself and others. From embellished clothing and monogrammed household items to textile masterpieces and kitschy wall hangings, embroidery can be used in numerous ways to create fun and beautiful pieces. Add a special touch to gifts for friends and family members by embroidering items like baby blankets and clothing, handkerchiefs for a newly wedded couple, and stockings for Christmas – the possibilities are endless. You can even embroider unique items such as headbands, shoes, greeting cards, baseball hats, coffee cuffs, bottles or can koozies, and much more. 

If you're interested in earning some extra money, you can sell your embroidered items on websites like Etsy and Amazon Handmade. Custom projects such as monogramming or lettering and embroidered portraits are popular on Etsy, as well as beautiful embroidery hoop art. You can also sell items to other embroiderers like patterns you've created or kits that include a pattern, thread, needles, fabric, and hoop. 

Many people also embroider as a way to relieve stress and meditate. A 2022 qualitative study by von Kürthyet. Al. Collected discursive data from five embroiderers over six months, finding that "embroidering can promote meaningful change through an intimate companionship of body, mind, and materials." Expressing oneself creatively combined with the physically repetitive act of stitching can center your mind and melt the stress away. 

Learning embroidery will plug you into a vast community of fiber artists and needleworkers. If you're looking to make new friends and socialize with other embroiderers, you can look for embroidery clubs via Facebook Groups or your local library. In these clubs, embroiderers gather together to socialize and share tips as they work on projects. Another great way to find embroidery groups in your area is by reaching out to your local chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America (EGA), a national embroidery organization that offers educational resources, events, and networking opportunities to its members.

Is Embroidery Easy to Learn?

Basic embroidery skills are easy to learn, but stitching more intricate patterns and designs requires a great deal of practice and patience. Taking a class from an expert instructor who can provide you with immediate feedback is a highly effective way to learn the fundamentals and advance your skills. Whether in-person or online, embroidery classes allow you to ask for help when you need it and provide comprehensive lessons that will help you take your embroidery to the next level. 

If you're in the New York area and just starting out in embroidery, the Brooklyn Craft Company in Greenpoint offers Beginner Cross Stitch, a two-hour class that will teach you all the basics of this common form of counted embroidery. While creating a cute succulent pattern to hang in your home, you'll learn how to read a pattern, what types of tools and materials and required, how to do the stitch, and how to use a hoop to frame your piece. Materials are provided and included in the cost of the class, including the pattern, fabric, embroidery floss, needles, and hoop. 

New York-area residents can also learn the fundamentals in Embroidery Basics: Making a Sampler at 92nd Street Y on the Upper East Side. In this three-hour class for beginners, you'll learn eight different essential stitches and create a sampler in a hoop. All materials are included for this in-person class. 

92nd Street Y also offers Embroidery in 90 Minutes: Floral Monogram, a 90 minute class for all skill levels. Participants are taught two basic stitches, as well as two more advanced stitches used to create a monogrammed piece with a floral design. All materials are included such as an embroidery hoop, floss, needles, tracing, pen, and your choice of colored felt. 

Embroiderers of all skill levels ages 10 and older can attend the Embroidery Workshop offered at the New York Sewing Center in Midtown. Participants are asked to bring an article of clothing that they would like to embellish with a fun word or phrase in their own handwriting. The expert instructor will teach you everything you need to know to decorate your garment from start to finish. All materials (besides the article of clothing) are provided. 

When you're ready to take your embroidery to the next level, Chicago-area residents can book the 2-Day Hands-On "Embroidery TNT" Workshop at Linda Z's Sewing Center in Arlington Heights. This workshop is all about machine embroidery. You'll learn tips and tricks to create beautiful patterns with embroidery machines and how to use Floriani software (a trusted and popular embroidery brand). Participants receive enough materials to create four unique projects, as well as free Creative Express Embroidery software. If you don't have a machine, you are free to use one of Linda Z's. 

What You Need to Know Before Learning Embroidery

If you're brand-new to sewing, before enrolling in an embroidery class you might want to familiarize yourself with threading a needle and performing a basic stitch. The running stitch – single, evenly spaced stitches in a line – is one of the easiest stitches to learn and works well for borders and outlines. Other basic stitches include the back stitch, the split stitch, and the stem stitch. A beginner embroidery class will walk you through these stitches step-by-step, but it's helpful for novice sewers to have a basic knowledge of using a needle and thread. 

It's also useful to be aware of common mistakes made while embroidering. For one, choosing the wrong fabric will make your embroidery project a lot harder than it needs to be. Expert embroiderers tend to prefer fabrics with natural fibers such as cotton and linen instead of synthetic fabric. Fabrics with an even weave will also deliver straighter, cleaner-looking stitches. 

When shopping for fabric, look for one that says "plain weave" which means the threads run in a basic perpendicular pattern. Plain weave fabrics are sturdy and easy to work with. You'll also want to consider the fabric weight or how dense the fabric is. Many embroiderers opt for a medium-weight fabric; fabric that is too light-weight is difficult to stitch on, whereas heavy fabrics are difficult to pull the needle and thread through. 

Another common mistake is rushing through your stitches, resulting in uneven and crooked stitching. The best-looking embroidered pieces have stitches that are equal in length and evenly spaced. Making stitches that are too tight together can result in fabric buckling. Embroidery, especially as a beginner, is best done at a slow pace that allows you to focus on each stitch. If you find yourself becoming impatient, take a break and pick it up later. 

What You Need to Learn Embroidery

Before learning how to embroider there are essential tools and supplies that you'll need to gather. Most of these items are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased at craft stores or online. 

Embroidery Hoop

A hoop is an essential embroidery tool that is used to hold your fabric taut as you stitch, preventing buckling and unattractive stitching; the screw at the top of the hoop is used to create tension which holds the fabric tightly in place. They can also be used as frames for embroidery artwork that is hung on the wall. Embroidery hoops come in various sizes and shapes and are commonly made of wood or plastic. Bamboo hoops are popular for being inexpensive and having a natural look, while plastic hoops can be purchased in a wide variety of fun colors. 

Embroidery Floss or Thread

Six-strand cotton thread (also called embroidery floss) is the most popular type of thread used in embroidery. This thread consists of six strands that are twisted together and can all be threaded on a needle at the same time. You can also pull the strands apart for more intricate work. Another common embroidery floss is pearl cotton thread which consists of 2-ply thread that is twisted like a rope and cannot be pulled apart. This type of thread is useful for more delicate, decorative stitching. Other types of fun thread to work with include satin floss which gives your stitching a shiny look and DMC Light Effects which adds a beautiful glimmer or pearlescent look to your work.

Fabric

There are many different types of fabric that can be embroidered, but the easiest ones to work with, especially for beginners, are fabrics made from natural fibers such as linen and cotton. Expert embroiderers recommend beginners choose a fabric that is 100 percent cotton with a medium-weight and even weave. Aida cloth, made of 100 percent cotton, is a good choice for a starting fabric since it has a wide, open weave that helps create uniform stitches. 

Needles

Choosing the right embroidery needle will make your stitching easier and result in better-looking embroidery. Embroidery or crewel (a type of embroidery that has a dimensional look and uses wool thread ) needles are medium in length and have a long oval eye that allows you to thread multiple strands of embroidery floss. They also have a sharp point to make it easy to pull the thread through the fabric. Embroidery/crewel needles come in various sizes from 1 to 12 (the bigger the number, the smaller the size), with sizes 7 and 9 being among the most popular for embroidery. 

Tapestry needles, with a long eye and a blunt tip, are useful for cross stitch or counted thread embroidery where the weave is open and wide enough to easily pull the needle through. Chenille needles have a long eye and a sharp end that is useful for thicker threads. For more information on needles, see the John James "Needles Guide, " a comprehensive list of various sewing needles that includes pictures of the needles in their actual sizes. 

Scissors

Embroidery scissors are small with a sharp point that allow for delicate snipping of stitches. They can have a straight tip or a curved tip which makes it easier to cut close to the fabric when embroidering in a hoop. Having the proper pair of scissors for your embroidery is important for cutting floss cleanly so that it does not fray. 

Thread snips, a spring-loaded tool with sharp, pointed ends, are also useful for cutting excess thread and can be physically easier to use than scissors; however, they are not the best choice for cutting stitches or fabric due to their wide blades. 

Water-Soluble Marker

A common beginner mistake in embroidery is using a permanent marker or pencil to trace your pattern onto your fabric; when you stitch over it, you will still be able to see the lines that you drew. To avoid this, use a water-soluble marker that can easily be washed off after you finish your piece. 

Storage Bag or Container

Organizing your embroidery supplies in a storage bag or container will make it easy to take out your piece and work on it in any setting. It's a good idea to have a separate container with compartments for just your embroidery floss, in addition to a bag that holds your other supplies. When shopping for a storage solution, look for "embroidery floss organizers" and "cross stitch or embroidery bags, " which are often shaped in a circle to accommodate embroidery hoops. 

Magnifier

Magnifying tools are helpful for seeing intricate sewing details in your embroidery projects and creating uniform stitches. You can find lighted magnifiers that can be clipped onto your project or ones that you can even wear around your neck like the Carson MagniFree Hands-Free Magnifier. When you're making small stitches, having a magnifier can be crucial for producing quality work and reducing mistakes. 

Embroidery Machine

If you would like to venture into machine embroidery, instead of purchasing an expensive embroidery machine, you can take a class at a sewing center that provides machines for students to use. Embroidery machines allow you to create designs on fabric in less time than hand embroidery and often include software that allows you to digitize your own designs. 

Time and Patience

Hand embroidery is slow-going, intricate needlework, thus it requires a great deal of patience, especially in the beginning. It's important to take the time to master the basics before moving on to more advanced patterns and techniques, otherwise, your projects will not turn out the way you were hoping. Even simple designs require stitching at a relatively slow pace to deliver quality work. Once you have mastered the fundamentals, you will likely find that your projects take less time to complete, although very detailed patterns and artwork will require more time and dedication.

Key Takeaways

Now that you know all about embroidery and what you need to get started, let's summarize the key takeaways:

• Hand embroidery is an ancient craft that involves using a needle and thread to create designs on fabric. 
• Many different fabric items can be embroidered including pillows, towels, handkerchiefs, clothing, bags, hats, shoes, and numerous other textiles. 
• Embroidery was included in a subversive art movement in the 1960s that sought to reconceptualize the status of low-brow art and women's art that has historically been undervalued. 
• There are many benefits to learning embroidery, including being able to create unique projects to display in your home and gift to others, earning money by selling your pieces and reducing stress. 
• The Embroiderers Guild of America is a national organization dedicated to supporting embroiderers through education, exhibits, and access to designs and patterns. The EGA's local chapters are a great way to connect with other embroiderers in your area.
• With patience and dedication, embroidery is easy to learn. Taking an in-person or online class will provide you with the comprehensive skills you need to produce quality work. 
• Knowing basic sewing knowledge, like how to thread a needle and choose the best fabric, is useful (but not required) knowledge to have before taking an embroidery class.
• Essential embroidery supplies consist of embroidery hoops, needles, fabric, scissors, water-soluble markers, floss or thread, a magnifier, and a storage container and/or bag.
• You can contact CourseHorse to find options for online or in-person training, including private group sessions.