A step-by-step photo guide to starting your embroidery project.
What you’ll need:
- Embroidery Hoop
- Fabric
- Embroidery Needle
- Embroidery Floss
- Scissors
- Paper, pencil, and a dark marker
- Transfer Marker or Pencil
Making an Embroidery Pattern
Trace the inside of your hoop onto the piece of paper and draw your design with a pencil. Once you’re happy with your design, trace over it with a dark marker.
If you have a drawing tablet or an Ipad, I have a blog post about designing a pattern with procreate and an iPad here!
Don’t have a design in mind? I have a bunch of printable pdf patterns in the shop!
How to Use an Embroidery Hoop
Take the inner and outer rings apart. Place the inner ring underneath the fabric and seat the outer ring on top. Pull your fabric tight and twist the wingnut tight so that the fabric doesn’t loosen.
How to Start An Embroidery Stitch
To prepare your thread, thread the embroidery floss through the needle and tie a knot at the very end of your thread.
Transferring an Embroidery Pattern
Tape your embroidery design onto a sunny window. Place your embroidery hoop with the top facing the sunny window and trace!
For other transfer ideas, you can read them in this article: How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns to Fabric.
Beginner Embroidery Stitches PDF
Now you’re ready to start stitching! If you’re unsure of where to start, I have a free PDF of 6 of the most beginner friendly embroidery stitches that you can use to stitch your design!
More Resources for Beginner Embroidery:
How to Transfer Patterns to Fabric
Lazy Daisy Stitch Flower Tutorial
My Favorite Hand Embroidery Online Classes
My Favorite Hand Embroidery Books
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I love the designs designsbut do you have any directions for left handers?
Author
Thanks! Not much of anything changes with embroidery when you’re left handed. It may be easier to work certain stitches from left to right or vice versa, but for basic stitches you just hold the needle in your left hand instead of your right!