GETTING STARTED

Embroidery Supplies and Equipment

What to buy first, what can wait, and where to learn more about each one

Essentials Upgrades Specialty

If you're new to embroidery, it's easy to think you need a mountain of equipment before you can begin. You don't. A small set of well-chosen basics will take you a long way, and you can add extras later as your confidence grows.

I've gathered the most useful embroidery supplies and equipment here in one place. Start with the checklist below, then use the guides further down to learn more about each item in your toolbox.

START HERE

Your Basic Embroidery Toolbox

These seven items are all you need to begin. Everything else on this page can wait.

✓ Embroidery fabric Choose a beginner-friendly fabric that suits the kind of stitching you want to do.
✓ Embroidery needles The right needle makes stitching easier and neater.
✓ Embroidery floss Good thread, separated into the right number of strands, makes a real difference.
✓ A hoop Keeps your fabric nicely taut while you stitch.
✓ Small, sharp scissors A clean, precise cut matters more than most beginners realise.
✓ Good light and magnification See your stitches clearly, match colours accurately, and stitch comfortably for longer.
✓ A tape measure For measuring fabric, finding the centre, and checking stitch counts.
ESSENTIALS

Fabrics, Threads, Needles and Basic Tools

These are the core supplies every embroiderer needs. Each card links to a detailed guide.

🧶

Embroidery Fabric

Choosing the right fabric for counted thread techniques

Fabric guide →
🪡

Fabric for Surface Embroidery

What to use, what to avoid, and how to pick with confidence

Surface fabric guide →
🪡

Embroidery Needles

Which needles you need for which job

Needle guide →
🧵

Embroidery Floss

Starting, stopping, and separating strands

Floss guide →
⭕

Embroidery Hoops

How to use hoops to keep your fabric taut

Hoops guide →
✂️

Embroidery Scissors

Why sharp, pointed scissors are non-negotiable

Scissors guide →
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WHEN YOU'RE READY

Comfort, Lighting and Organisation

None of these are essential on day one, but they make stitching more comfortable and enjoyable as your projects grow.

💡

Magnifying Lamps

LED lighting, magnification, and CRI explained

Lamps guide →
🖼️

Hoops and Frames

Hoops vs frames, scroll frames, lap frames, and floor stands

Frames guide →
🪄

Laying Tool

Keep your threads flat and smooth for neater, more lustrous stitches

Laying tool guide →
📦

Organise Your Stash

Tips and ideas for tidy needlework supplies

Organisation tips →
🏠

Small Sewing Space

Making the most of a compact stitching area

Space tips →
🧵

Organising Embroidery Floss

Storage ideas to stop your thread collection becoming a tangled mess

Floss storage →
✦ ✦ ✦
FOR SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES

Specialty Materials

These are for particular types of needlework. You'll know when you need them.

📐

Needlepoint Canvas

Understanding mesh counts and canvas types

Canvas guide →
🎨

Needlepoint Fibres

The wonderful range of specialty threads for canvas work

Fibres guide →
✨

Rayon Embroidery Thread

From tangles to triumphs with this beautiful thread

Rayon guide →
✦

Metallic Embroidery Thread

Add sparkle and shimmer to your stitching without the tangles

Metallic thread guide →
🔄

Thread Conversion Chart

Convert between DMC, Anchor, and other brands

Conversion chart →
✦ ✦ ✦

Like to stay organised?

My Project Planner helps you keep track of your embroidery projects: fabrics, threads, progress, and notes all in one place.

Fancy a stroll down memory lane? Check out this list of must-haves from a British schoolgirl in 1930. They used pre-decimal pounds, shillings, and pence back then!
✦ ✦ ✦
READY TO STITCH?

Got Your Basics? Here's Your Next Step

Keep a tape measure and dressmaking shears nearby for measuring and cutting fabric, and set up a storage system for your threads once your collection starts growing.

You don't need to buy everything on this page before you pick up a needle. Start with the basics, get comfortable, and add to your toolbox as you go.

Start Your First Project →

Our beginner's guide walks you through your first stitches

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Stay connected between projects

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