Hand embroidery is a hand craft that has been around for centuries. While embroidery is often seen as decorative stitching, pretty much any sewing with a needle and thread can be called hand embroidery.
If you're reading this blog, you probably know by now that I am en embroidery enthusiast! My love for hand embroidery didn't start this way though. When I was in late elementary school, my mom taught me to embroider. It was a set of pillow cases that had flowers, doves, and a ribbon on them. While I loved coloring as a child, hand embroidery called for too much patience. Thankfully my mom taught me the basics before I gave up entirely.
Fast forward a few decades and I was working in corporate communications and missed the tactile experience of crafting. As an adult I tried coloring and didn't enjoy it the same as I did in childhood. After seeing a few other people embroidering on social media, I thought I'd give it a try. And I'm so glad I did!
Hand embroidery is the adult version of coloring but with a needle and thread. With hand embroidery you can use a wide variety of textures and patterns to create pictures, decorative designs, mend, and more.
Learn more about hand embroidery, different types of embroidery, what kinds of supplies you'll need for embroidery, some beginner-friendly embroidery stitches and techniques, common mistakes to avoid, helpful tips, hands-on workshop recommendations, beginner kit recommendations, and more.
What is Embroidery?
Hand embroidery is the decorative art of stitching on fabric and other materials with a needle and thread. Embroidery has been around for centuries. Because hand embroidery is such a historically rich and diverse craft, you can often tell the history of an embroidery based on the style, color, fabric, and thread used in the piece.
Embroidery can be traced back to 30,000 B.C. Archaeologists have found fossilized remains adorned in hand-stitched clothing and boots. Other ancient works have prominently been found in China and India, consisting of chain stitching on silk robes. In Sweden evidence of embroidery has been found dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Making the earliest finds of embroidery from the Viking Age.
Embroidery started to rise in popularity in Europe around the year 1000. Its sudden popularity was due to the growth of the Christian church, and royals gaining power. Because of this, highly decorated garments, wall hangings, ornaments, and more were commissioned. Royals believed these embroidered items displayed power and wealth.
Embroidery has continually been used since then.
In modern history, we can find embroidery appliqué all over the world. Whether for decorative or practical purposes, embroidery is practiced across cultures and classes. Upper-class women, would be taught decorative embroidery, whereas working class women were mostly taught mending, quilting, and especially marking. Marking was used to embroider letters and numbers onto sheets, tablecloths, napkins, bed-linens and more to denote ownership of such items.
As you can seen embroidery has been used in a variety of ways over time. Each period and culture uses embroidery in a different way, to embellish their fiber goods.
With all this embroidery happening throughout history, you might be wondering, 'Is embroidery difficult?'
Types of Embroidery
With the rise of modern technology there are now two types of embroidery: hand embroidery and machine embroidery. As you might have guessed by the descriptive terms, hand embroidery is sewn by hand. Machine embroidery, on the other hand, is stitched by a machine.
Hand Embroidery
Hand embroidery uses a wide variety of stitches and techniques (In fact there are hundreds of embroidery stitches!) to create texture, pattern, and handmade details. This wide variety is thanks to the diversity of cultures that embroider.
And thanks to the wide cultural appeal, there is a wide range of needlework styles within hand embroidery. Some of these include cross-stitch, needlepoint, crewel, stumpwork, goldwork, blackwork, and more. Each of these styles of stitching uses different materials and techniques.
Besides the wide variety of techniques, hand embroidery itself is a meditative craft. I love sitting down after a long stressful day and feeling my tension melt away as I focus on a needlework project.
Machine Embroidery
Machine embroidery is often seen as commercial embroidery. While they make embroidery embroidery machines you can use in your home, it's also great for large quantities of exactly the same design. Unlike hand embroidery, machine embroidery is programmed into the machine, so it will give you a precise copy of that design each time it's made.
Examples of machine embroidery can be seen on clothing logos, such as the Lacoste crocodile to more decorative embellishments for mass production.
While being able to create the same thing over and over again is great if you need a hat embroidered with a corporate logo for 100+ people, it also takes away the human element of embroidery. Machine embroidery has a limited number of stitches due to how this type of embroidery is made. You won't see the same type of texture of embellishments in machine embroidery as you do in hand embroidery.
As you might have guessed, I'm a fan of hand embroidery. Machine embroidery has it's helpful place, but it's not my favorite. I love being to one to use the needle and thread. I love being able to use a wide variety of stitches and materials to create embroidery. I love the relaxing joy and creative spark I feel when stitching.
Embroidery Supply List
The beauty of hand embroidery is that don't need a bunch of supplies to get started. You can start with just a few needles, threads, an embroidery hoop, and fabric when stitching. Here are some of my embroidery supply recommendations to help you get started and grow your embroidery stash.
Needles
Hand embroidery needles come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, and lengths. While I use different needles for different stitches and materials, I often find myself going back to the DMC #5 needles regularly. If you're new to embroidery, I recommend getting a variety pack to see what size needles you like best.
The most important thing to remember about embroidery needles is that they shouldn't damage your fabric. If you're seeing holes/puncture marks where the needles is coming through the fabric, your needle is too big. Change to a thinner needle and possibly fewer strands of thread.
Threads
There are tons of embroidery thread options available. From 6 strand cotton to metallic to satin to etoile to pearl cotton to tapestry yarn to silk threads... I could go on and on.
Six-strand cotton embroidery thread is made up of six individual strands of thread. It can be pulled apart and used in various weights for different thicknesses.
Metallic, satin, and etoile threads are also often made up of six individual strands. These threads add sparkle, metallics, and shiny finishes to embroidery. Because of the materials used to make these thread, they can be trickier to work with. You'll find this blog post helpful if you want to give them a try.
Pearl cotton is a non divisible thread that is wrapped around itself. Because it can't be pulled apart it's available in various weights. This thread is often used for mending.
Tapestry yarn is a thicker thread, like yarn, that can add a puffier look to your stitching. Because it's a thicker thread, a larger needle and wider weave fabric and needed.
Silk thread is another divisible thread, like cotton. This is a higher quality thread that has a different luster/sheen to it.
I regularly stitch with DMC 6 strand embroidery thread. I love that it's available in hundreds of color options, that most craft stores carry it, and that the color is consistent. I recommend finding the thread you like to work with best. This may take some experimenting, but like everything else with embroidery, there's really no wrong thread to use, so long as you're not damaging the material as you stitch.
Fabrics
One of the many great things about embroidery, is that you can stitch on anything! Some materials are easier to work with than others. If you're just starting out, I recommend cotton or linen fabric because they have minimal stretch and won't move around as much as you master various embroidery stitches. After you're familiar with embroidery, I'd encourage you to experiment with other options- you can literally embroider anything.
For a more in-depth dive into fabric for embroidery, read this blog post.
Scissors
Embroidery scissors are different than scissors you cut paper or fabric with. Embroidery scissors are smaller and have finer sheers, making it easier for them to get into tight areas and cut crisp lines. The most important thing when it comes to embroidery scissors is that they are sharp. Dull scissors can make threading your needle a hassle if the cut thread isn't crisp. Find out how to pick the perfect pair of embroidery scissors and cute embroidery scissors.
Frames/Hoops
Embroidery hoops or frames hold the fabric taught while stitching. This keeps the fabric from moving around and even tension when embroidering.
The most common embroidery hoop options are plastic or wood. I prefer beechwood embroidery hoops, however, I encourage you to try out different options to see what you like best. I dive more into different types of embroidery hoops in this post here and share how to set up your embroidery hoop to get started stitching here.
Embroidery Techniques
Within embroidery there are hundred of different embroidery stitches and techniques you can use to create different textures and patterns. There are many types of embroidery stitches as well as variations on stitches and you can even combine stitches to create other stitches! Here are a few beginner-friendly stitches as well as step-by-step tutorials to help you get started.
Back Stitch
The back stitch is a versatile stitch that can be used to fill in our outline. It consists of short stitches in a row that are made by filling the space in backwards.
Use this video and step-by-step tutorial to give the back stitch a try.
Satin Stitch
The satin stitch is a smooth flat stitch that is used to fill in shapes. It consists of straight stitches that are made from one side of the shape to the other. These stitches are close together so they create a solid fill of color.
Use this video and step-by-step tutorial to give the satin stitch a try, then use these 7 tips for creating a flat satin stitch.
French Knot
The French knot is a decorative knot that is made on the front of the fabric. It adds playful 3D texture and can be creates in different sizes for varying effects.
Use this video and step-by-step tutorial to give the French knot a try. Use these 4 tips for mastering the French knot.
Patterns and Designs
One of the important steps in hand embroidery is transferring the pattern onto the fabric. There are various methods and supplies you can use to do this. Here are 7 ways to transfer an embroidery design:
Draw or trace the design with a chalk pencil, water soluble transfer pen, heat erasable pen
Trace with carbon paper
Print, trace, or draw onto water soluble stabilizer
Iron on with an iron on transfer
Custom print your fabric with a design
If you want to embroider on dark fabric, try these methods for transferring your design.
Common Embroidery Mistakes to Avoid
When you're first starting with hand embroidery, it can feel a little daunting if and when things start to go array. Sometimes it's because you're not sure how to use the materials or are unfamiliar with how new tools should be used. Here's six common mistakes I see with new (and sometimes seasoned) embroiderers:
Using the wrong fabric
Embroidery hoop has bad tension
Stitches are too tight or too loose
Wrong kind of transfer method
Rushing or getting impatient
Skipping the basics
Want to know how to avoid these common embroidery mistakes? Read this blog post for more details so you can avoid them!
Tips for Embroidery Beginners
If hand embroidery is something you're interested in, you might be wondering where to start. Here's a few recommendations for beginners looking to give embroidery a first (or second) try:
Find the right embroidery supplies to get started. Check out my fabric, hoops, thread, needles, scissors, and more.
Know where to get embroidery supplies from online and local shops.
Find the right resources for your learning style. See my recommendations for beginner-friendly hand embroidery books, video tutorials, embroidery patterns and kits, online and in-person workshops, and blog posts.
Check out my beginner-friendly embroidery tips, resources, and more in more in this helpful blog post.
Getting Started with Embroidery
Hand embroidery is a meditative art form that can be used to embroider anything and everything. From early cultures to modern day embroidery has been used to create useful goods, denote wealth and power, signify ownership, embellish clothing, as decorative wall decor and more.
Hopefully this post has given you broader insight into the history, significance, tools, materials, and techniques used to create embroidery, along with helpful tips and videos to help you get started in needle crafts.
MCreativeJ Hands-on Workshops
Looking for hands-on guidance to get you started with hand embroidery? Join me for an in-person workshop! With beginner-friendly to advanced class options you're sure to learn something new in every class.
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