blog post title image for "Getting Started with Hand Embroidery"

Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here to begin embracing your crafty side with embroidery. 

In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of embroidery, from selecting the right materials to mastering basic stitches. Embroidery is a hands-on fiber craft that allows you to create appealing designs with needle and thread.

Let’s dive in and unlock the joy of this comfort craft perfect for all generations.

Gather Your Materials

To start, you’ll need a few essential materials.

::> Fabric.

Choose a fabric that suits your project. Beginners often find it easier to work with plain, medium-weight fabrics like cotton or linen. Stitched Stories kits and fabric patterns are printed onto 100% plain weave cotton.

::> Pattern.

Choose a pattern with imagery that appeals to you and that has stitches you can easily master from simple diagrams. 

You can transfer a pattern to fabric yourself using a lightbox and an embroidery transfer pen. We have a free starter pattern and transfer how-tos for you here: Free Mini Pattern

The easiest way to get started is with a pattern that’s already printed to the fabric. Stitched Stories patterns are printed in color to cotton fabric so that you are immediately ready to start stitching.

Hoop art embroidery of Moths with printed fabric supply.
Here’s a look at the color-printed fabric pattern in Stitched Stories kits.

::> Embroidery Hoop.

An embroidery hoop helps keep your fabric taut and makes stitching more manageable. All Stitched Stories kits come with a simple bamboo hoop that can also be used to frame your piece at the end.

::> Embroidery Needles.

Embroidery needles have a sharp point and longer eye to ease threading multiple strands of floss. Our designs are typically stitched with 2 or 3 strands of floss. The size 5 John James brand needles included with our kits are ideal for this work. If you’re stitching with more strands, use a size 3 needle. (The lower number has a larger needle eye.)

If you want to try a variety of needle sizes, we include a 16-pack of DMC brand needles sized 3 to 9 in our Stitcher’s Tins (along with scissors, wax floss conditioner, and a needle minder).

Embroidery notions: beeswax, needles, stork scissors, enamel needle minder.
The Stitcher’s Tins in our notions shop include beeswax floss conditioner, needle variety pack, scissors, and enamel needle minder.

::> Embroidery Floss.

This is the colorful thread that brings your designs to life. DMC brand floss is a popular choice for its quality and wide range of colors, and it’s the floss we include in all of our kits.

Embroidery kit supplies with 8 skeins of floss, printed fabric, needles, tin.
With full skeins of high-quality DMC-brand embroidery floss in every Stitched Stories kit, you avoid twists and snags, and you’ve got plenty of thread to finish the project.

::> Scissors:

You’ll also need a pair of small embroidery scissors for snipping threads.

Embroidery scissors. 2 pair stork-shaped scissors. 1 pair regular with leopart print handles.
We’ve got a variety of embroidery scissors in the shop–and they fit perfectly in the tin that comes with every one of our kits.

Start with Basic Stitches

Mastering basic stitches isn’t difficult. They’ll give you the foundation for an ongoing practice of fiber crafting. Begin with these three stitches

Straight Stitch

  • Bring needle and thread up through fabric at 1.
  • Insert the needle back in at 2, and make a straight line.
Embroidery stitch diagram for the straight stitch.

Back Stitch.

  • Bring needle and thread up through fabric at 1.
  • Insert needle back into fabric a stitch-width to the right (2) and then come back up a stitch-width to the left (3) of the thread.

(NOTE: You’ll start at the RIGHT end of line to be stitched.)

Embroidery stitch diagram for the back stitch.

Satin Stitch

  • Bring needle and thread up at edge of shape you’re filling (1).
  • Insert at the other side of shape (2).
  • Come back up a little below 1 (3).
Embroidery stitch diagram for the satin stitch.

For a closer look at these first stitches and a couple more, see our blog post: 5 First Embroidery Stitches for Beginners to Learn

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Be sure to see our blog post that shows 12 classic stitches we love and when and how to use them on embroidered projects: 12 Classic Hand Embroidery Stitches

Title card for blog post saying 12 Classic Embroidery Stitches

Learn Embroidery With a Beginner Kit Or Our Free Sampler

The easiest way to get started is with one of our Beginner Embroidery Kits. Click here to see all of them and find a design that you love. With our kits, the pattern is already transferred to fabric, it’s in color, and you’ll be working with first foundational stitches. You’ll get a 4-page stitching guide that walks you through embroidering your first project.

Hoop art embroidery with colorful patchwork design.
“Patchwork” is one of the beginner kits in our shop. You’ll get everything you need and detailed instructions. 

Here’s what Lee said about learning embroidery with Patchwork:

A great method to learn embroidery. All the things you need to get started in one place. Great instructions and quality products. Love the needle holders. Will be purchasing more kits

Vikie, another beginning stitcher said of our kits:

I’m amazed at how simple and easy this is, especially for a beginner. Everything I could ever need came in this package. I’m so excited to finish it and order another one!

You can use our free Mini Sampler pattern and how-tos to get started. Click here for that resource.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Your embroidery skills will improve with practice. Start with simple designs and gradually challenge yourself with more intricate patterns. Don’t be discouraged by mistakes; they are part of the learning process. Embrace the journey and enjoy the meditative nature of stitching.

Our blog post How to Establish a Regular Practice of Embroidery gives you a route to incorporating embroidery into your daily life.

Blog title card image that says: How to Establish a Regular Practice of Embroidery

Personalize Your Projects

Inject your unique style into your embroidery projects. Experiment with different colors, thread combinations, and design elements. Embroidery allows you to infuse your creations with personality and create one-of-a-kind pieces.

We’ve got several “Stick and Stitch” motifs patterns that you can adhere to items like your jeans or a tea-towel or t-shirt. This is a way to start making embroidery a part of your look.

Engage with our Embroidery Community

Having a community of fellow stitchers is a wonderful way to learn, find inspiration, and share your progress. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. Tag us when you share you work so that we can include it in our stories–and keep an eye on our stories for the other projects we’re sharing.

Embrace Your Crafty Side with Embroidery

Are you ready to embrace a mindful and satisfying comfort craft perfect for all generations?

Stitched Stories embroidery kits give you everything you need to create a finished piece of hoop art. New stitchers use our illustrated project guides to master a dozen classic hand embroidery stitches.  Experienced needle crafters enjoy working a range of stitches and being able to choose from a wide variety of themed projects. Patterns are designed to give you an absorbing embroidery project.

Remember, the key is to start small, practice regularly, and enjoy the process. Happy stitching.


FALL in love with stitching...

...whether you love pumpkin lattes, gourd-filled trugs, or spooky scenes, we've got something for everyone who adores Autumn over in the Stitched Stories shop!