Even without the list of new stitches to learn, there is a lot to get your head around with embroidery. Fabric, needles, thread, hoops, patterns – where do you even start? We’ve put together this basic guide to help you take your first steps into the world of embroidery and, if you take a look at our Basic Stitches Guide too, you should be happily stitching away in no time!
Download a pdf version of this guide for offline reading.
Kits
As with most other crafts, the best place to start if you’re a complete beginner is with a kit. Put together by experienced individuals or teams, kits are designed specifically to make things as easy as possible, in order to give beginners an introduction to the craft. Kits designed for beginners will include all the items you need to create a finished piece, for example, your kit might have an easy-to-follow pattern, all the thread you will need in the colours required, a needle, a hoop, and a stitch guide. Some kits will not include a hoop, but this should be listed on the product contents. A wooden hoop used for a cross stitch project would be just as good for an embroidery one.
Not having to make choices about fabric, thread or needles may make embarking on your first embroidery project easier – everything is provided, and designed to work together, saving you time, and possible money, in making your selections. Many kits also include the design already printed on the fabric, allowing you to use the spare fabric on the edges to practise your stitches, before you move on to the actual design when you are more confident.
Sometimes it is helpful to buy everything you need for a whole project at once, and you will find there is a choice of kits for different levels of expertise, so you can easily work your way up in difficulty, if you choose to. Of course, you don’t have to start with a kit if that doesn’t appeal, we just recommend it as the simplest place to start if you’re not sure where to begin. If you are keen to go your own way, make sure you pick up the right tools for your project – keep reading as we might be able to help with that too!
Fabric
Most fabrics will be fine for embroidery – if you can get a needle through it, you can probably embroider on it! However, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing what to work with, as there are fabric characteristics that might make your intended project more difficult than it needs to be.
Check that the needle and thread you have chosen will work with the fabric you have selected, i.e. thick thread and a larger needle will create large holes in a more delicate/tightly woven fabric. You can even work embroidery onto items of clothing or bags, as embellishments, but be careful with fabric that stretches as this can make your embroidery pucker, meaning the fabric does not sit flat.
Thread
Different threads have different finishes and can create very different effects and styles. Matte or shiny? Multiple strands are also a factor. Many embroidery threads will need to be separated for certain projects, to create thinner strands for smaller details. Some are not designed to be separated, so it is important to check this before you buy thread that is too thick for your fabric and needles. Variegated threads can be really lovely when embroidered with, giving a depth of shading and colour-wash which is, deceptively, not difficult to achieve.
Setting up your hoop or frame
A wooden or plastic hoop, or a plastic clip frame, will all be perfect for your embroidery project. Make sure your fabric is edged in some way (blanket stitch by hand, zig zag stitch on a sewing machine, or masking tape all work well), to avoid it fraying as you work on your project. Begin with your fabric pressed and clean, and ensure it is taut in your hoop or frame. The tension on your fabric will gradually reduce as you stitch your embroidery, so remember to keep tightening it as you go. Be mindful of not pulling too tightly on the edges, as you need to avoid stretching the fabric too much, or distorting the stitching area. For a more in-depth look at this, please see our How to Guide on Hoops and Frames.
Transferring your pattern to the fabric
If your kit does not have the image printed on the fabric, or if you are using your own design, you will need to transfer the pattern image to your fabric before you begin stitching. There are a number of simple ways of doing this. You could trace the design onto your fabric using a light source behind it (a light box or just a window will work), with a soft pencil or a permanent fabric marker. One thing to remember though – don’t use an air-erasable fabric marker, the design will disappear before you have time to stitch it! Alternatively, some patterns are pre-printed onto iron-on paper and can be transferred to the fabric by heat. You can also use iron-on tracing paper or a water-soluble printed picture, which you stitch through and then soak to remove the paper.
If you find any of these instructions unclear, or just need a little extra help, don’t hesitate to email us at sales@woolwarehouse.co.uk or give us a call on 01926 88 28 18.
