How to embroider

My name is Carol I have been doing hand embroidery since I was a child and would love to share that experience with you by means of many free embroidery lessons on this site.

I was lucky to have two grandmothers who loved to create beautiful items with a needle (or hook) and thread, and they both passed that skill onto me. But not everyone is blessed with a family member that they can sit beside and learn from. Of course we have an advantage over our forebears, the internet!

Although this needlework site is getting bigger by the week, it has an advantage over any book...

You can reach me by using the contact form, and I will do my best to get you "unstuck".

The site is divided up into sections that you can explore, such as Colcha embroidery and Redwork embroidery, giving you the chance to find the embroidery style that is just right for you.

Whether you find you like the precision of counted thread needlework techniques like Hardanger and needlepoint, prefer the freedom of free style embroidery (also know as surface embroidery) and embellishing crazy quilts or just want to embroider a name on a blanket or garment, you will find something here for you.

So what is hand embroidery?

Embroidered items can be used in our day to day life, such as needlepoint cushions, or framed and displayed, just for the joy of looking at them.

They can be stitched in glorious bright coloured threads or in either red , black or white only.

They can be chunky and raised from the fabric surface, as in Stumpwork or worked in tiny, delicate pulled stitches that rearrange the actual fabric threads.

If I have whetted your appetite for learning how to hand embroider you may want to start by taking a look at the embroidery supplies page to see what you might need.

Next, pick a style from the navigation bar on the left of each page and try some of the free embroidery lessons.

When I am teaching needlework in person I am often told that I seem to be able to remember what it was like to learn something new and explain the basics really well. Hopefully you will find my written hand embroidery instructions just as easy to follow. But remember I am always here if you need extra help. I am happy to explain things further and in different ways until you understand how to embroider a particular stitch or technique. Just ask!

The most important thing is to have fun while you learn to embroider by hand. It is a wonderful way to relax from the busy lifestyle we all live nowadays. And you could be creating an heirloom to pass down to your children and children's children. I know that I treasure pieces stitched by my grandmothers and even my father.

do you have a question about Embroidery?

This is your spot to ask any embroidery questions that you have. Other visitors to the site will be able to view and hopefully answer your queries.

Or perhaps you have some tips or even an article that you have written and would like to share?

Your contribution will be made into its own page on the site, and other people can comment on your submission.

So join in and use the form below to have your say.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Free printable patern for hand embroidery (6x6)
I did start some hand embroidery squares to make a bedspread for my grandchild, a 6 year old girl.

So I am trying to find paterns showing a little ...

Primitive satin stitch
The pattern i am doing now (Seasons) for embroidery and then quilting for a wall hanging, tells me to use a primitive satin stitch. What is that compared ...

Tidy work
In my late 50s I have decided to return to proper embroidery handwork. I sucessfully completed some lovely tapestries and counted cross stitch pieces. I ...

Solid embroidery stitches
What stitches can I use to fill in a large area of an embroidery

How do I embroider on a pre-made pillow
I have purchased a small ring bearer's pillow for my upcoming wedding. I want to embellish it myself. I would like to embroider our wedding date on the ...

Embroidery on a shirt
Is there any way to cover hand embroidery on the back of a shirt so it doesn't bother the person wearing it?

Confusing instructions in my embroidery kit
I have just received an embroidery kit and cannot understand the instructions. The design (a traditional bukhara design) is printed onto the calico and ...

How to fix an untied knot
I wish I had found this web site before I did the embroidery embellishment on my tunic top.

Then I would have known how to start the thread without ...

Machine embroidery question
I have machine embroidered red onto a black material. The design left spaces so I need to get those black spaces filled in with red--by hand. Any idea ...

Baby blankets
I am making a receiving blanket for my first baby, that is due in August.

It just a simple piece of fabric, all you have to do is sew on the pre folded ...

Embroidery on kitchen towels
I've just started embroidery on flour sack kitchen towels. I am using transfers and I don't know what straight stitch to use for my pattern.

Carol ...

Do I tie a knot while doing stamped embroidery
I embroider pre-stamped pillow cases and dresser scarves.

I do not always like the way it looks on the back, with all the knots, it seems so untidy....

Tips for beginner in embroidery
l'm thinking of starting embroidery as a hobby and just wanted to know what basic information l need to start??

Helen wilson

Backing embroidery
When you embroider on a white background, do you need a backing so your threads don't show. I want to embroider some potteries onto squares and then make ...

Hand Embroidery
If there is anyone who knows of a website that sells hand embroidery patterns and or kits i would be forever grateful.

I have spend numerous days ...

I want to embroider, its just that I am a rank beginner
and am frustrated beyond words in my inability to find projects I want to work with!

Just about everything is cross stitch (I live in "Silicon Valley"...

difference between cross stitch and embroidery
Is there really a difference between cross stitch and embroidery? I am new to needlepoint and found some kits say one or the other or both but they look ...

Removing the pattern
How do I remove the dye from the stamped pattern after I finish my embroidery? I am embroidering quilt blocks so cannot launder them until put together ...

Embroidering on Ribbon
I would like to hand embroidery on silk ribbon but am not sure how to hold the ribbon taut. The ribbon is 1/2" wide. I want to embroider block letters ...

Which is best for the beginner?
Hello, I've never done needlework of any kind. I'm interested in starting but am stumped by all the different types out there: Cross stitch, Counted cross ...

Backing redwork
Many years ago I did a little bit of redwork but have since lost the instructions.

I would like to know if it is necessary to do the embroidery with ...

Embroidered quilt squares Not rated yet
My cousin is putting together a quilt for her first grandchild. She sent each family member a quilt square and asked us to decorate our square however ...

How long should it take me to embroider a piece? Not rated yet
I am a beginner embroiderer and I wonder what my goal should be for any given piece of embroidery...when I look at a new pattern, how can i gauge how long ...

How to do couching Not rated yet
I'm working on a cross stitch project that also calls for couching some braid. I understand that the braid is laid down and then stitched over with floss ...

Backing for an embroidered lavender bag Not rated yet
I'm quite an amateur at this kind of thing, but was going to hand embroider my grandmother's name on a piece of cottton, (then sew and stuff that to make ...

Stitch ideas needed for crosses on communion linens Not rated yet
I am a ministry intern for the summer and wanted to create a gift for the pastors and congregations who have been gracious enough to host me and help me ...

Can you make money with embroidery Not rated yet
Can you earn money from doing embroidery?

Carol answers...

That is an excellent question, Max. There are ways to earn money from embroidery, certainly....

Embroidery of fine delicate face features Not rated yet
I am new to embroidery and I have taught myself how to embroider. When I run across a fine delicate face features or hands and feet I never can get the ...

Material And Threads Not rated yet
Good morning all, I enjoy your site --

As some kits are expensive, and I am a beginner, I would like to transfer designs on napkins, etc. and do the ...

Improving hand embroidery Not rated yet
I have begun a Redwork embroidery project -- the 12 Days of Christmas. I find my embroidery stitches are all not as neat and precise as I would like. Any ...

patterns to embroider............ Not rated yet
Do you supply iron on patterns so that I may embroider my own tablecloths?

I do like Australian native flowers, however would like to see others.

Carol ...

beginner at embroidery has some questions Not rated yet
I've never done embroidery before and am so interested in learning many things I wished I had been taught as a child.

I have bought the supplies and ...

Stem stich around a curve Not rated yet
How does one do stem stitch on curvy designs?

I work from left to right, the thread always "resting" at the top of the stitch. But I'm finding it ...

stitching bunny tails
Help with picking the right stitches to use

Embroidery on salwar Not rated yet
I want to make a hand embroidery on my salwar. will anyone please suggest a design I could work with simple embroidery stitches?

stars and moons Not rated yet
What stitches would one use to embroider stars, both 5 and 6 pointed and moons?

love embroidery Not rated yet
I think it is wonderful that you are teaching people to do embroidery. I have been doing it since I was a little girl. My grandma taught me. It is a ...

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het griekse open borduurwerk Not rated yet
Na een bezoek aan Griekenland zag ik in de kerkjes prachtig opengewerkt borduurwerk op wit linnen en katoen. De naam is Het Kofto.

Ik zou graag de techniek ...

where can I buy floche Not rated yet
I have been reading and watching some heirloom work and the teacher mentioned floche as apposed to floss for some types of embroidery work,

I found ...

hand stitching Not rated yet
What is the history behind hand stitching?

Carol answers...

I have added two pages to the site giving the history of embroidery, Lauren.

You ...

Transferring letters onto fabric Not rated yet
How do I transfer words that i have typed on my computer to the fabric so I can embroidery it?

Carol answers

There are a number of different ways ...

barb needs help with embroidery stitches Not rated yet
I need to see some different stitches. Like the basic satin stitch, lazy daisy, and how to make a rose?

Carol answers...

Barbie, a good place to ...

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I am trying to start my first quilt and I am lost!!!

I would like to know what type of stitch or embroidery should be used when you have a shape that ...

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I need help form any one to tel me how to make a gymsopholex embroidery stitch. And if any one can help me in South Africa, Cape Town area, I would be ...

embroidering names and letters Not rated yet
Questions about embroidery letters, names or initials

about embroidered curtains Not rated yet
Hello, I need your advice about embroidered curtains. I want to make curtains for my kitchen with a herbal theme. I wanted to embroider sage, parsley ...

Want to learn how to embroider by hand?

So what is hand embroidery?

do you have a question about Embroidery?

What Other Visitors Have Said

Embroidery Techniques

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