Whether you are a seasoned stitcher or new to embroidery and are looking to start your creative journey, the supplies needed for embroidery are actually surprisingly few (and affordable!) so embroidery really is the perfect craft to get into if you want something that doesn't take a great deal of investment.
So, where to start?
Well, embroidery is a timeless craft that allows you to create beautiful works of art using just a needle and thread. However if you're a beginner looking to start your embroidery journey, having the right supplies is crucial to help you get started on the right foot. Here are five essential embroidery kit supplies that every beginner needs:
1. An Embroidery Hoop
An embroidery hoop is a round or oval frame that holds your fabric taut while you stitch. It helps prevent fabric distortion and maintains even tension, making your embroidery work neater and more precise. Hoops come in various sizes, so choose one that fits the size of your project - all my beginners embroidery kits come with 6 inch hoops which I think is the perfect size - big enough to create a substantial piece but small enough that it is manageable and portable. My PDF patterns come with 6/7/8 inch pattern options in each PDF so you can play around a bit with the size you work with.
2. Embroidery Needles
A good set of embroidery needles is essential for any embroidery project. These come in different sizes and types, such as sharp or blunt-ended needles. Beginners usually start with a pack of assorted embroidery needles to experiment with and find the ones they are comfortable - I usually use size 10 needles and can go down to as small as 5 if I am beading. (I'd recommend a multi-pack when you start to give you options)
3. Embroidery Floss
Embroidery threads are essentially 6 strands of twisted cotton available in a wide range of colors - the embroidery world can be a bit snobby about floss and most would advise the brand DMC
DMC does give a beautiful finish and if you want to re-order all their skeins are colour coded (all 500 shades!) so you can re-order with ease - hence why I use them in all my kits! However if you are new to embroidery and not too precious then there are plenty of different (cheaper) options.
4. Fabric
You can embroider on pretty much any fabric, you simply need a piece of woven fabric that serves as the base for your embroidery design, such as cotton, linen, or even felt. I find the best fabrics are one that have a tight weave, are sturdy and have zero stretch, so personally landed on a medium weight poly cotton - but feel free to experiment with different fabrics, that's all part of the fun!
5. Scissors
the ideal embroidery scissors are small, sharp scissors for cutting threads and trimming excess fabric - I have multiple pairs lying around my studio as I lose them like pens! But indeed, a sharp pair you can use on your threads is ideal so you can keep the ends nice and blunt.
Happy stitching!