The 7 Most Helpful Hand Embroidery Accessories
After years of embroidering, I’ve tried a lot of different products and accessories. Some I only used for a short time, and then they ended up in a drawer somewhere. However, these 7 hand embroidery accessories are ones I use almost every day. They will make your life so much easier when you are stitching!
If you’re just starting embroidery, you may also want to check out this complete supplies list for all of the things you’ll need to get stitching.
This post contains affiliate links in it. I only recommend products that I trust and use.
Embroidery Stand
I used to hold the hoop while I stitched, which normally resulted in my hand starting to get tired and painful after a few hours. I didn’t think much of it until I got an embroidery stand, which made things so much easier! I think it helps my posture too because you can adjust the stand to be more at eye level. I have a couple of different stands, but the Nurge table stand is my favorite right now.
Available on Etsy
Adjustable LED Ring Light
Having adequate lighting is essential when you are embroidering. It’s not always enough to use a lamp! It’s super important to use a light source that isn’t too warm or too cool. Daylight bulbs or LED lights are the best to use.
I purchased an adjustable LED ring light over 2 years ago and it has served me very well. It clamps onto any desk and the arm is adjustable, making it super easy and convenient to use.
Available on Amazon
If you want a light with magnification, check out these recommendations.
Ipad Pro
This is the most expensive out of all of the hand embroidery accessories that I recommend, but it makes designing embroidery super fun and easy.
I use the app Procreate and an apple pencil to draw out all of my embroidery designs. I like Procreate because you can import photos to use as references, draw with different brushes, do color mock-ups, and much much more. If you want to learn more about it, I made a tutorial for how I make embroidery designs in Procreate.
Purchase on Amazon
DMC Threaded Color Card
DMC, one of the most popular embroidery threads, has a threaded color card that makes selecting colors a breeze. They have a printed card as well. I have both kinds, but the threaded card contains real thread on it and it depicts the colors more accurately. This is especially helpful when you are thread painting and looking for specific colors that blend nicely together.
Purchase on Amazon
Double Sided Floss Organizer
If you’re anything like me and have many different embroidery thread colors, a double-sided floss organizer works great! I don’t like to have to lug around a bunch of different thread organizers, but I’m able to fit my entire thread collection in these kinds of organizers.
Available on Amazon
Thread Snips
Thread snips make trimming embroidery floss quick and easy. They are super sharp and don’t dull very easily. A bonus is that they look super stylish; a great prop for photos!
Available on Amazon
Super Solvy Water Soluble Stabilizer
Water soluble stabilizer is another embroidery accessory I couldn’t live without. It is translucent, lightweight, and durable. It makes it way easier to transfer highly detailed patterns onto fabric instead of tracing the design through the fabric. I use the medium-weight stabilizer and it works great! I’ve never had any issue with it tearing or dissolving after hours of handling it.
Simply trace the pattern onto the stabilizer, sandwich it on top of the fabric, and you’re ready to stitch.
Available on Amazon
Give these accessories a try! You may also want to check out these embroidery related gift ideas too.
Amanda is a hand embroidery teacher and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing accessible tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.
