What Do You Need to Start Embroidery?
Excited to start embroidery but not sure which materials you need? This guide helps you choose fabric, thread, needles, a hoop, scissors and a first pattern.
Choosing the supplies you need to start embroidery does not have to be complicated. If you are just beginning, you mainly need a suitable piece of fabric, good embroidery thread, the right needle, an embroidery hoop and sharp little scissors. The rest is useful, but not all of it is necessary right away.
Below, I will walk you through the basics for both cross stitch and free embroidery. I link as much as possible to specific products, then to product categories, and only where we do not stock something ourselves to a useful external option.
Embroidery starter supplies: the short list
- White Aida 14 count for your first cross stitch project, or fabric for free embroidery.
- DMC stranded floss via the bulk order module, useful if you need several colors at once.
- Blunt embroidery needles for cross stitch or Tulip sharp needles for free embroidery.
- A 15 cm embroidery hoop for calm, even tension on your fabric.
- Small embroidery scissors to trim threads neatly.
- An embroidery pattern or complete embroidery kit if you would rather have everything together straight away.
Cross stitch or free embroidery: what do you need?
With cross stitch, you embroider on countable fabric, usually Aida. You follow a counted pattern and make crosses in a grid. With free embroidery, you work on smooth fabric and draw the pattern onto the fabric first. You then use different stitches, such as stem stitch, backstitch, satin stitch or French knots.
Both techniques are suitable for beginners. The difference is mainly in your material choices: cross stitch asks for counted fabric and a blunt needle, while free embroidery asks for smooth fabric and a sharp needle.
Materials for cross stitch embroidery
Embroidery fabric: Aida counted fabric
For cross stitch, I usually recommend Zweigart white Aida 14 count for beginners. The holes are clearly visible and you do not have to start on very fine fabric straight away. Want to compare more colors or sizes? Take a look at cross stitch fabric.
Embroidery thread: DMC stranded floss
For most patterns, you use DMC stranded floss. Already have a list of color numbers? Then ordering DMC thread through the bulk module is fastest. You enter several numbers and collect everything in one go.
Blunt embroidery needles
For Aida, you use a blunt embroidery needle, so you pass neatly through the holes and do not pierce the fabric. A good start is the Prym assortment of blunt needles. Want to compare? View all blunt needles.
Embroidery hoop, scissors and pattern
A 15 cm wooden embroidery hoop is comfortable for small and medium-sized projects. Cut threads with a small sharp pair of embroidery scissors. Then choose a simple cross stitch pattern with not too many colors, or start with a mystery cross stitch kit if you enjoy being surprised.
Materials for free embroidery
Fabric for free embroidery
For free embroidery, you use smooth, tightly woven fabric. Preferably start with light-colored fabric, because it makes your pattern lines easier to see. View the free embroidery canvas category or choose a free embroidery kit if you want fabric, thread and pattern together right away.
Sharp embroidery needles
For free embroidery, you need a needle with a sharp point. The Tulip embroidery needles with sharp point are lovely for this. They pierce cotton, linen and other tightly woven fabrics neatly.
Transferring the pattern
For free embroidery, you draw your design onto the fabric first. You can do this with a water-soluble marker, a heat-erasable pen or Vlieseline Solufix. A light box can be useful if you want to trace lots of patterns.
Useful extras if you embroider more often
- Needle threader, useful if the eye of the needle is hard to see.
- Needle minder, so you do not lose your needle when you take a break.
- Storage and thread organization, especially nice for projects with lots of colors.
- Thimble, especially useful with thick fabric or stiff textiles.
What is better not to buy right away?
As a beginner, you do not need a huge stash of fabric, hundreds of thread colors or all kinds of special tools yet. It is better to choose one project and buy what you need for that. This way you naturally discover whether you enjoy cross stitch, free embroidery or both.
My advice for your first project
Want as little hesitation as possible? Choose a small embroidery kit. It already includes the most important supplies for starting embroidery. Prefer to put things together yourself? Start with Aida 14 count, DMC thread, blunt needles, a 15 cm hoop, scissors and a simple pattern.
Frequently asked questions about embroidery starter supplies
What do you minimally need to start embroidery?
You need fabric, embroidery thread, a suitable needle, scissors and a pattern. An embroidery hoop is not always mandatory, but it makes it much easier for beginners to make even stitches.
Is an embroidery kit useful for beginners?
Yes, especially if you do not want to choose separate materials right away. A kit usually contains the pattern, fabric, thread and needle. You can always add separate materials later.
Which needle do I need?
For cross stitch, you use a blunt needle without a sharp point. For free embroidery, you use a sharp needle with a point. That difference really matters, because with cross stitch you work through existing holes and with free embroidery you pierce through the fabric.
Not sure about your first materials? Start small. A lovely first project is more important than having the perfect supply cupboard right away.
