Practical Embroidery Newsletter: 9 tips to improve your hand embroidery 🧵🪡

How to stitch better, not harder

Hi, Reader,

I hope you are cozy and warm this winter.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article titled “How to Improve Your Hand Embroidery Skills.” Some of the tips on how to improve embroidery did not make it to the list, as these are not exercises to improve the skills. Instead, they are small habits that can make your work smoother and improve your embroidery.

Tips to improve your stitching

Work with clean hands. Wash your hands before stitching, as the natural oils on your skin can stain the fabric and spoil the threads. Avoid eating or drinking while stitching. Taking a break for a hot drink will be beneficial for your health and save you from stained fabric, too.
Prepare your supplies. Gather all the materials you will need for the project. Do you have enough thread of the color you need? If not, substitute it immediately or order more thread. What about the needles, fabric, and other notions for the project? Take care of them before you start stitching.
Use short threads. Long threads get tangled and lose their shear while passing too many times inside the fabric. Metallic threads get damaged even faster than regular cotton floss. If you use long threads to avoid threading, opt for a needle threader or try different threading techniques.
Keep a constant tension of the stitches. Do not pull too tight, and do not leave the loops of the loose threads on the surface or on the back of your embroidery. If you are trying a new technique – practice on the drop cloth till you get a constant tension. Quality hoop and well-stretched fabric will help you maintain the tension of the stitches.
Work with good lighting. Work in a well-lit place so you can see your stitches clearly and avoid messing up the colors. If daylight is not an option, get a high-quality lamp for stitching.
Finish the project. Even if it’s not perfect, get it done and move on. Avoid the pile of WIPs getting in your way.
Plan ahead. Before you cut the fabric and transfer the pattern, consider the final piece’s appearance. How will you frame it? How much extra fabric will you need? Will you be able to wash the project?
Choose the right tools for the job. Use the right needle and scissors to make your embroidery easier and more fun.
Do not aim for perfection. Be patient and kind to yourself, and make the best you can. Your project might not be perfect, and you might start comparing yourself to other stitchers. Please don’t! Your goal should be to have fun, relax, learn, and improve with each project, not to make perfect stitches right away.