If you’ve just discovered hand embroidery and you’re wondering where to begin, the question of hand embroidery tools can feel surprisingly complicated. A quick search turns up endless lists of needles, hoops, threads, and gadgets — and it’s easy to feel like you need to buy everything before you can even make your first stitch….
18 basic hand embroidery stitches to start stitching like a pro Hand embroidery is a simple and enjoyable craft with many benefits. Learning basic embroidery stitches is a great way to start it. This beginner embroidery guide covers 18 basic embroidery stitches perfect for newbies to learn embroidery essentials, build confidence, and improve their skills….
Every piece of textile has edges — and what you do with them matters more than you might think. Whether you’re finishing the hem of an embellished garment, joining two fabric sections together, or simply adding a decorative border that makes the whole work feel complete, embroidery stitches for edges are one of the most…
Flowers and hand embroidery are a match made in heaven. I would bet that every hand embroidery artist stitched a few flower embroidery designs at the beginning of their career. We all have tried to stitch a basic daisy, a bullion knot rose, or a woven wheel stitch peony. But floral hand embroidery is much…
I’ll be honest — I never thought I’d be the kind of person who sits down with a hoop and some thread to stitch tiny flowers onto fabric. And yet, here I am, completely hooked. Hand embroidery has a way of doing that to people. It’s meditative, creative, surprisingly portable, and the barrier to entry…
Easter brings another wonderful opportunity to tap into our creative side and celebrate the season with needle and thread, stitching one of the Easter embroidery designs and creating something fun and lasting. Choosing a hand embroidery design to stitch can be a tricky task, which steals the time you could dedicate to stitching. To save…
French and Colonial knots look almost the same, so what is the difference between them? Which stitch is better? Can we use them interchangeably? Which one is easier to embroider? Is there any difference between these stitches at all? The French knot is one of the most well-known embroidery stitches and has been used in…
We all have 24 hours in a day and a never-ending to-do list. So, how to find time for embroidery in a busy life and stay consistent with your practice? I often get asked how I make time for stitching, but the fact is that you can’t make time. It’s a finite resource, and the…
What you need to get started with visible mending Mending and Repairing Mending and repairing clothes were standard practices throughout the centuries. Our ancestors valued the work put into creating the garments and cared for their clothes well. Simple mending tools and materials were used. Traditional mending and darning techniques like Sashiko, Boro, Kogin, patchwork,…
Metallic embroidery thread looks stunning – it adds sparkle and dimension to any hand embroidery project. At the same time, hand embroidery with metallic thread can be frustrating. These sparkly threads tend to fray, tangle, and shred more easily than cotton or silk floss. And sometimes it gets so messy that you want to give…