How to Start an Embroidery Project -Design, Transfer and Stitch An Embroidery Pattern
A step-by-step photo guide to starting your embroidery project.
This post is a part of a series about how to embroider for beginners.
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, check out this tutorial about designing a pattern with procreate.
When creating a pattern, you’ll want to brainstorm what kinds of stitches you’ll use for what parts of the embroidery. Sometimes patterns that are super intricate can be really challenging, so you can’t go wrong with keeping it relatively simple to start.
Don’t have a design in mind? I have a bunch of printable pdf patterns in the shop!
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Embroidery Stitch Workbook$15.00 -
Embroidery Design eBook$10.00 -
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 screw tight so that the fabric doesn’t loosen. Make sure the fabric is centered in the hoop and is tight like a drum.
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 more transfer ideas, check out this article: How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns to Fabric.
How to Start An Embroidery Stitch
To prepare your thread, thread the embroidery floss through the needle. You can tie a knot at the end of the thread or start embroidery stitches without knots.
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!
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Amanda is a hand embroidery artist and teacher. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get inspired and creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.
I love the designs designsbut do you have any directions for left handers?
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!