I’m not trying to brag, but I was into embroidery before it was cool. You’ve probably been seeing those cute little hoops with charming stitched artwork inside all over Instagram lately, and now is the perfect time to get started on this relaxing and rewarding hobby.
You’re probably asking yourself, how do I start embroidery? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the tutorials and starter kits online, look no further. I’ve compiled the ultimate list of essential embroidery tools you’ll need if you’re a beginner. These are the tools I use every time I hand embroider. You’ll be stitching in no time!
The Wooden Embroidery Hoop Set That Comes With A Varity Of Sizes
The first thing you’ll need when compiling your embroidery essentials starter kit is a good set of hoops. Since you’re probably not sure what your first pattern will be yet, I suggest finding a set that comes in a variety of the most popular sizes, and this one by Caydo definitely delivers.
It includes hoops in the following sizes: 4 inches, 5 inches, 7 inches, 8 inches, 9 inches, and 10 inches. They’re made from strong bamboo so you don’t have to worry about your hoop splitting halfway through your project. This 6-piece set ensures that your kit is fully stocked from the get-go.
The Embroidery Floss Complete Set That Brightens Up Your Projects
High-quality floss in a variety of rich, vibrant colors is an essential part of any embroidery starter kit, and this Premium Rainbow Color Embroidery Floss by LOVIMAG is a great option. Not only are the colors beautifully bright, but the non-fading design keeps them that way.
This set comes with 140 different colors, which gives you the full spectrum to choose from. Each piece of thread consists of six individual strands, and each strand is made up of two interwoven strands for maximum strength and durability.
The Aida Embroidery Cloth That Customers Swear By
Aida embroidery cloth serves as the backdrop for your artwork, so you want to make sure it’s as high-quality as possible. This 6-pack from Similane is the perfect combination of durability and flexibility. Simply clip it into your wooden hoop and start stitching.
This kit features pieces that are 12 inches by 18 inches and has a 14 count design, meaning your project will have 14 stitches per inch. This is a perfect size for beginners and will fit snugly into your wooden embroidery hoops.
The Best Marking Pen For Embroidery You Can Get On Amazon
Before starting your embroidery project, you have to transfer your pattern of choice onto your Aida embroidery cloth so you know where to put each stitch. This can be the trickiest part of embroidering, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the right tools. That’s where this Air-Erasable Fabric Pen by Sewline comes in.
Simply lay your pattern behind your Aida cloth and trace it with this fabric pen. (If it’s too hard to see through the fabric, you might have to tape it to a window to make it more visible.) Then, stitch out your pattern. The pen marks will disappear on their own like magic!
The Hand Embroidery Needles That Are Classic And Sturdy
First and foremost, you might be asking yourself, how do I thread an embroidery needle? Here’s a handy YouTube tutorial! Okay, now that you know how, let’s talk about the nitty-gritty of needles.
While it’s important to find the very best selection of needles for your embroidery project, you don’t have to spend a fortune to do so. This pack of 16 by CLOVER is a favorite among embroidery experts and you can get them on Amazon for only $3.99.
The extra-large eyes make it easy to thread your floss and the different sizes guarantee that you’ll always have the right needle for the job. They’re also sharp enough to easily go through your fabric without leaving a noticeable hole.
The Stork Embroidery Scissors That Are Both Cute And High-Quality
I learned how to sew and embroider from my grandmother, and I’ll never forget her pair of golden stork scissors that she kept in her enormous wooden sewing basket. I was entranced by the way the sharp beak would snip thread and fabric so effortlessly every time.
This pair by BIHRTC is like an updated version of those. They have that same adorable stork design but with a pretty iridescent finish that seems to change color depending on how the light hits them. I think of my grandma every time I use them.
The Embroidery Floss Thread Organizer That Has A Spot For Everything
If you’re serious about getting into embroidery, you have to have one of these floss and thread organizers. When I first started I just threw everything into a reusable grocery bag, and eventually, all of my thread tangled together into one giant ball and I was forced to throw it out.
This 46-slot organizer by Creative Options is the one I use and I recommend it to everyone I know. It has two hinged doors that snap shut so you can open it from either side and don’t have to worry about your embroidery stitching tools falling out.
The Magnifying Glass Embroidery Aid That Illuminates Your Stitches
Since embroidery usually involves using tiny stitches to create a larger image, it can be a major strain on your eyes, no matter how good your eyesight is. I went far too long without investing in one of these magnifying glass embroidery aids, and am paying for it now.
This Magnifying Glass Desktop Magnifier by Oenbopo can be worn around your neck for hands-free magnification. The bright LED light illuminates your work so you can actually see what you’re doing. Learn from my mistake and buy this thing immediately.
The Embroidery Tape Measure That Stays In Place
Here’s something that took me forever to get right when I first started with embroidery: Getting my pattern centered correctly. I would always just eyeball it, assuming it was fine, and it wasn’t until I’d finished everything that I realized that it was just slightly off-center.
This PeelnStick Removable Ruler Tape by iCraft is incredibly clever. The sticky backing allows you to stick it directly onto your cloth or wooden hoop so you get a 100% accurate measurement and then easily peel it off when you’re done using it.
The Embroidery Floss Bobbins That Keep Your Thread In Line
Remember that handy floss organizer I mentioned earlier? These plastic floss bobbins are another great way to keep your craft accessories neat, tidy, and tangle-free. I like to buy the huge multicolor sets of floss and then wind them onto these to make them more manageable and keep them from getting damaged.
This set by MALUAN comes with 300 pieces, meaning you won’t have to buy another one for a very, very long time. The plastic is sturdy to prevent breakage and the size fits perfectly into the slots of your floss organizer.
The Sewing Needle Threading Tool That Makes Your Life 100X Easier
Here’s a somewhat embarrassing admission: Even with all of my years of experience, I still have a terrible time threading my needles. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I’ll sit there struggling for a solid 5 minutes just trying to get my floss through that darn eye.
These Needle-Threading Tools for Large Eye Hook Needles by Tbestmax are an essential part of my sewing tool kit. Embroidery is supposed to be a relaxing hobby, right? These needle threaders keep me from getting frustrated and couldn’t be easier to use.
The Best Embroidery Thimble That Keeps You Protected
My grandmother’s fingers were so calloused from years of sticking herself with a sewing needle that she didn’t even need a thimble. I have not yet achieved this status, and since you’re an embroidery beginner, I’m guessing you haven’t either.
You’re going to want to find a quality thimble like this one to protect yourself from painful pricks. I love how this one is made from rubber, which makes it way more flexible and comfortable than the traditional metal ones.
The Embroidery Seam Ripper That Takes Care Of Bad Stitches
Everyone makes a bad stitch every now and then when they’re embroidering, and since you’re new to this, you’ll make a lot of them. There’s no shame in it, but you’ll need a handy tool that can remove bad stitches easily like this Deluxe Seam Ripper by Dritz.
The pointed end makes it easy to grab the piece of thread that you need to remove, and the sharp curved blade cuts through floss cleanly and effortlessly. The ball-tipped point keeps your fabric protected. This thing has over 2,000 positive reviews for a reason.
The Embroidery Pin Cushion That’s Surprisingly Stylish
This isn’t your grandmother’s pincushion. I found this thing on Amazon after browsing the “sewing” section and was immediately intrigued. When it arrived, I was delighted to find that it’s shaped exactly like a tube of lipstick, complete with the “twist-up” design!
The small cushion gives you the perfect place spot to stick all the needles you’re using for your project so they’re right where you need them and you don’t have to worry about losing them. When I’m done, I just pop the lid back on and stick it back in my thread organizer.
The Embroidery Pattern Book That Gives You A Perfect Place To Start
Now that you have all the tools you’ll need to make striking hand-stitched works of art, you’re probably wondering what should be your first creation. This Lunch-Hour Embroidery pattern book by That Patchwork Place features patterns that are both cute and simple.
Because they’re designed to be completed in just one hour, they’re perfect for those who are still figuring it out. And with 130 different patterns to choose from, you could choose a new one every single day if you wanted to. It also includes tutorials on how to make basic stitches so you can feel confident getting started.