Best products from r/Embroidery

FYI: I sent you lots of amazon links as I am not sure where you live or if you have access to craft stores such as Hobby Lobby or Joann Fabrics. I know for certain that I have seen most of these items cheaper at the store than what I could find online.

1. Embroidery scissors. The good ones (I.e. generally not ones that come in sewing kits) are incredibly sharp and a must. They are used exclusively for cutting embroidery floss. They make some really pretty ones that come in all sorts of colors and patterns.
   
2. A hoop or two. I personally prefer the plastic ones as they are a bit more durable and good for multiple projects. I also don't typically display my finished work inside the hoop. If she plans on making wall hangings, I would go with the wooden ones. They are typically a bit cheaper when you buy them at a craft store (I believe I have seen them from between 1-3 USD.) They have a nicer finished look and isn't that big of a deal to buy a new one when you start on your next project. I would buy her two of the wooden ones in two different sizes (a 4 inch and 6 inch one)
   
3. a box for embroidery thread. this one on Amazon that I listed is nice since it also contains the bobbins as well. These boxes usually cost about 3 USD at the craft store and are great for holding all of your different colors of embroidery floss. they often have one larger compartment which is perfectly sized to hold needles and the embroidery scissors as well. The floss bobbins are great at keeping everything organized in the box as well.
   
4. about a yard of fabric. Muslin is generally pretty cheap. For a beginner, I might also suggest Aida cloth. It it woven in a way that there is a "grid" in the cloth which makes it easier to make straight lines. It is typically used for Cross Stitch but can be used for embroidery as well. The cloth is more expensive that the muslin, and I personally don't prefer the finished look of the fabric, but it makes it easy to make straight lines and practice stitches. Someone on here also mentioned buying Fabric quarters which is a great idea. They come in a whole bunch of designs, run around 2 USD a piece, and work pretty well for embroidery.
   
5. Needles. You don't need the golden eye ones like I have listed here. Just make sure that the package says it's for embroidery as the of the needle varies depending on the type.
   
6. Now here's the hardest part of the whole thing: Embroidery floss. Most stores offer DMC brand cotton floss by the skein for about 0.48 USD. The problem is that there are literally hundreds of different colors and picking out just a few might be a bit difficult. The sets that DMC does sell are a bit pricey and aren't often set up to give you a beginner's set of colors. You could however buy an off brand set of embroidery floss that does come in a nice variety of colors and is cheaper. However, I have found that a lot of these packs have low quality thread. It often can look dull when compared to DMC brand floss. (look how Satin-y this Flower looks with the more expensive floss!) I have also heard of some people say that the colors can run when they get washed. All that said, these packs are inexpensive and great for someone just starting with embroidery as there are so many colors to choose from. Its great when you are practicing or are not 100% sure of what you are going to make yet.
   
7. transfer pen: I bought a set of those Frixion Pens that someone else mentioned in this post and I love them. They are a bit pricey. I believe that I bought my set at Target for 6 bucks. It came with 5 different colors including pink and silver which work great on dark colored fabrics. These pens are used to plan out your design on your fabric before you embroider. These pens are special in that they disappear completely with heat (such as an iron). If you don't want to go that route, they also make Water soluble markers which serve the same purpose. They don't work quite as well in my opinion as they tend to erase themselves after a few hours/days. They have the advantage of being inexpensive and work fine for small projects.
   
   I hope that all of this helps. Good luck on the shopping. I know that whatever you end up getting her she will love.

I sent them through a chat, but I’ll resend them this way...
I would get the floss at Johanns, they also sell cute kits. As far as the rest of the supplies I’d go with Amazon because of your time limits. Look for needles by John James in a variety pack sized 5-9, fabric, look for I-Nee cotton, and hoops by Morgan. Amazon also has great light boxes for transferring patterns....
https://www.amazon.com/John-James-Needle-30-Assorted/dp/B001VJNOV6/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?keywords=john+james+needles&qid=1564833113&s=gateway&sprefix=john+j&sr=8-17

https://www.amazon.com/iNee-Cotton-Fabric-Embroidery-60-inch/dp/B07F171ZJY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=cotton+fabric+by+the+yard+embroidery&qid=1564833223&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

These are great pens for transferring patterns and drawing designs onto fabric
https://www.amazon.com/Threaders-Erasable-Fabric-Pens-3pk-Black/dp/B072QDSB2G/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=threaders+erasable+fabric+pens&qid=1564833299&s=gateway&sprefix=threaders+era&sr=8-3

Hoops
https://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Products-Stand-Combo-Hoops/dp/B000YZ3YIQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=morgan+hoop&qid=1564833394&s=gateway&sprefix=morgan+hoop&sr=8-4
Or
https://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Quality-Products-Embroidery-Interlocking/dp/B07B7C9QWQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?keywords=morgan+hoop&qid=1564833481&s=gateway&sprefix=morgan+hoop&sr=8-13
For future reference I get most of my supplies from 123stitch.com or embroidery.com
Great fabric can be found off Etsy
Shops I like on Etsy for linen
CloudCraftShop Robert Kaufman Essex Linen Fat Quarter Bundle, Naturals
BidouillArtStock Linen embroidery fabric coupon
FineStitchStudio Embroidery Linen 'Graziano' - Fat quarter

Etsy has good kits,
https:\namastehandembroidery.com has great kits as well. I personally love thread painting. If that’s something you think she’d like to try, go with anything from
https://trishbembroidery.com or any of her books!
Also
https://berlinembroidery.com/product-category/hand-embroidery-kits/needle-painting-kits/

Both those pieces are great, even the first one unfinished. A couple things I can think of to try that might help: maybe trace the edge of the felt with some kind of ravel stopper like this https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-674-Liquid-Sealant-0-75-Ounce/dp/B0019KBWA2 like maybe just put it on the cut edge, or a little way in on the under side of the fabric? It'll be hard to stitch through so a thin line to keep the edge clean but you'd kind of loop the stitch over it, if that makes sense?
Second, you might use a base fabric with a wider weave, like looser space between thread (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0771RF2QR though you can probably find something halfway between this and what you're showing in the second pic). Then you might try separating out the floss so you're only using 2 or three strands instead of all six, and use a smaller, VERY sharp needle (look for needs called 'sharps' these might be small but something like this https://www.amazon.com/Clover-Gold-Eye-Sharp-10/dp/B001K53MBS) . This will put a smaller, neater hole in the felt so there's less fraying. And the looser weave fabric means that even with paint you won't have to press as hard to get it through all the layers.
I hope some of this advice ends up useful. Good luck! I can't wait to see it finished.

This one is pre-printed in the fabric, but you can also use a transfer that irons on and washes out or a pen to draw on directly that washes out.

If you’re new I definitely recommend seeing what books your library offers on the subject, it helped me feel comfortable with the process before diving right in. I liked this book I borrowed from the library. It had great instructions and pictures which I found really helpful as a beginner as well as this.

Here is what works for me! Hope it helps :)

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Long term storage:


I have a small unit that all the supplies live in permanently, which can stay in a closet or under the bed, and having a separate tote for my current project.

For you I'm picturing something like this: https://www.target.com/p/translucent-tote-handbag-shade-shore-153/-/A-53913203?preselect=53752648#lnk=sametab or

https://smile.amazon.com/Clear-Bag-Stadium-Approved-Games-Cross-Body/dp/B01NAJELJ3/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1543006502&sr=8-3-spons&keywords=zipper+tote&psc=1 or

https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-174-clear-plastic-under-bed-storage-bin-clear-with-white-lid-7gal/-/A-13794483 to hold all your extra fabric, hoops, and floss.

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I like to wrap my thread and organize by color, I use these for storage:

https://smile.amazon.com/Plastic-Bobbins-Floss-Needlecraft-Organizer/dp/B000BKVMOM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543005340&sr=8-3&keywords=floss+bobbin+storage

It has one section that is a bit bigger than the others, which is where I keep needles, seam rippers, thimbles, etc.

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Short term - Project in process:

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When I am working on a project, I take all the necessary colors and clip them together using one of these binder rings, example:

https://www.staples.com/Staples-Loose-Leaf-Rings-1-Size-Silver/product_481326

Then I have a particular zipper pouch that I keep everything in for a project. There are all kinds of cute ones out there. I'm currently hunting for a zipper pouch which has an interior zipper pocket as well to hold little scissors and a needle threader. Currently I just use a Klein Tool bag that my SO gave me. The hoop, bundle of floss, scissors, etc all fit in there nicely and make it really easy for your project to be portable. It makes it easy to have a central location where the project lives and everything goes back inside every time.

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My advice:

Starting & Ending I like the away knot method for starting. I use a tiny crochet hook to weave the tail into the beginning stitches. It's faster than threading a needle on the tail & all that nonsense. For ending I weave the remaining thread tail through the last stitches and trim the excess. Keeps the back pretty clean and holds up reasonably well.

Transferring patterns Invest in a LED light pad, they're pretty cheap on Amazon. My absolute FAVE for light colored fabric is the DMC transfer pen For darker fabric, I trace the pattern w/ an ultra fine sharpie on either Sol-u-film stabilizer or tear-away stabilizer, pin/baste it to the fabric and sew through it.

Digitizing you don't need to worry about unless you have an embroidery machine.

Running out of floss Leave yourself enough extra to weave back through at the end. Start where you left off using whichever method you like. Don't leave a gap between stitches and you won't be able to tell from the front. If you mean it in the other sense, DMC floss is widely available at craft stores and all you have to do is match numbers.

Best Fabrics Non-stretch fabrics similar in weave to cotton broadcloth. The heavier the fabric, the more force you will be using to push the needle through. I like using linen since it has a slightly looser weave and looks ~classy~. I sometimes layer it on top of a cotton broadcloth before starting to stitch to add stability or opaqueness to the piece (Don't want the back of the stitches showing through to the front after all)

Keeping the back tidy Using the starting & ending methods I mentioned above will greatly help. And take the time to trim your excess thread tails whenever you start or end.

Finishing a piece There are tons of ways to finish your hoop, this is my favorite

Unasked for advice The quality of your floss matters so don't go generic unless you want to hate life. Get yourself an emory needle sharpener (the strawberry that hangs off of tomato pincushions) and some Thread Heaven.

There are tons of how-to blogs etc out there on the internet for you to educate yourself with and honestly half the fun of it for me has been discovering different techniques & trying them out.

Thank you! I had no idea what to do with an oval hoop at first, then I began the first pine tree and thought 'What the hell did I just decide to do..." I'm just glad it's turning out well. I'm incedibly happy with how the trees turned out and I'm really wanting to do a set of hoops with just unique trees.
On the hoop, it was super affordable. It actually came in a group of 4 hoops of different sizes. It isn't actual wood but is a plastic rubber that fits really snugly over a plastic hoop. I've only just started doing embroidery, so I didn't want to buy anything terribly expensive yet. This is just from Amazon, link here -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CV88X4G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AqTtDbY6D1RWY

I know there are frames on Etsy you can buy to place a finished hoop in that look great too.

Also, auburnhoops.co have some really beautiful hoops. I haven't tried them yet since the hoops are pretty pricy, but I'm definitely considering it.

this is what I bought a month ago, pretty happy with it!! Some strands are SUPER easy, and some aren’t. I’m not sure if it’s my technique or just a lucky strand.

Oh I have the book this pattern came from! It's on my list of things to stitch! Yours came out super pretty, nice work! The book is called Embroidered Mandalas - 25 Iron-On Mandala Designs to Stitch, Color, and Share, I found it on Amazon, here is the link for anyone who wants it, some very nice designs in there! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Embroidered-Mandalas-Iron-Mandala-Designs/dp/1454710411

Hi! Try Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy! This stuff is amazing. You can print on it or just draw on it but it dissolved in water. Might make the process easier for you!! 💗

You are too kind!! It's the first time I've ever used an outline stitch and I was second guessing my decision the whole time, so this means a lot!

And you're welcome to ask anything! I'm still learning too, so I love finding out how others work.

I have a pretty large pile of fabric sitting around and none of it is labeled, so I'm not 100% sure exactly what this is. But my best guess is that it's a high count aida. It also looks deceiving because there's a stabilizer over top that I didn't wash away before taking this photo. This is the one I use - https://www.amazon.com/Sulky-Sticky-Fabri-Solvy-Stabilizer-8-5/dp/B004R2B3NU. Hope this helps!

I love mine! I got this one from Michaels when they were running a 60% off coupon. It's adjustable enough that it can hold either a q-snap frame or a hoop, it would probably hold a scroll frame too though I can't seem to ever make those work for me. It's definitely worth it for freeing up both hands - I get pain in my left hand when I hold the hoop too long (I think I grip it too hard, but I had hand surgery a few months ago and still get pain/claw hand) so it definitely helps with that too. The only place I can't use it is in bed, so I'm asking my guy for a lap stand for Christmas and I'm trying to decide between the sit on style or the double hoops. They don't seem as stable, so I'm not sure on those yet.

Not sure if this is what OP used, but I've used this one a lot for machine embroidery to make free standing lace, I imagine it would work just fine for hand embroidery too: https://www.amazon.com/OESD-Aquamesh-Wash-Away-Stabilizer-White/dp/B01H05MI2A

I'm not actually 100% sure. I ordered this as a beginner kit off of Amazon from a seller called Berya, but it looks like they don't sell this particular one anymore. They do however, have a lot of other lovely sets!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GV58K1J/ref=twister_B07F3VBHVW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

these are the bobbins i use, and i use the darice box for storage as well. the initial time spent to thread the bobbins is well worth it in my opinion! super inexpensive and is safer than using things that might snag and ruin your thread. i ended up fitting something like 110 skeins in my box and keeps me conscious of the colors that i do/don't have

plus it's wonderful to look at when you've arranged all your colors in there

Sulky 8 1/2 x 11-inch Sticky Fabri-Solvy Stabilizer, Pack of 12 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004R2B3NU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0TXcAbZCCHFM3

I find this is the best one! And it makes the whole thing a lot easier. I tend to do the outlines, then cut off any excess fabri solvy, then dissolve it. Then your fill ins can be a bit tidier.

Experiment with image size, then print this out and see if it works nicely with the hoop, adjust accordingly then tape down the fabri solvy to the area, ready to be printed. Then peel, attach to fabric and you're done!

I usually buy the plain wooden ones. I find them easy to work with and you can paint them whatever color you want! These kinds of hoops have a pretty, antique wood look but they're not real wood, and I haven't worked with them so I can't say if they're comfortable to stitch in.

Thank you so so much! And thank you for the follow as well!!

The hoop belonged to my mom from many years ago & she gave it to me. I found something similar on Amazon though! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B072R6JZ5F/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1506485143&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=embroidery+hoop&dpPl=1&dpID=51Ip830ZYgL&ref=plSrch

i've thought about doing that but i do it with

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BZJVRP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 this and a stylus like this
https://sublimestitching.com/products/tracing-stylus

imo iron on transfer is probably better/less work but this works fine for me, its just REALLY hard to perfect a piece that has a lot of details

Books!

Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Needlework

Embroidery Techniques and Patterns

A-Z of Embroidery Stitches

A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2

Color Confidence in Embroidery

Needle Painting Embroidery: Fresh Ideas for Beginners

This is nothing close to an exhaustive list of all my needlework books, but I think these are the relevant ones for you. =)

Thanks!! I got the floss off of amazon, they don’t have name from what I can tell. These are the ones I did the majority of the piece with:

Embroidery Floss Total 1920m 240 Strings 100% long-staple Cotton DIY Cross-stitch Thread friendship bracelet DMC colors craft floss https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3Q99NR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Jwz2BbZB5NVRS

Everyone already suggested backstitching the outline so i will say that i bought this book and find it very helpful. It has a section with a ton of different stitches and how to do them as well as some basic techniques.

Edit: looking again I would say that for satin stitching, if you get gaps between the threads it’s ok to go back and fill in more.

This is so cute!

I learned using books and blogs - YouTube was tricky because I felt as if they were going too quickly. I think this one was one of my go-tos if I remember right! I reccommend starting with a water-soluable pen such as this one to draw your design onto some cotton/linen fabric. I also suggest splitting your 6 strand thread into 3 to begin with and try following along with the sampler to get more comfortable with the different stitches. It looks like you might have the beginnings of stem stitch and satin stitch already down!

I'm pretty new myself. I've been using a light box (you can get cheap USB ones now, I picked one up on Amazon) and a washable fabric pencil.

Interested to see what other people are using.

Edit: this one. A4 Ultra-thin Portable LED Light Box tracer USB Power LED Artcraft Tracing Light Pad Light Box for Artists,Drawing, Sketching, Animation. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JPD6QZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cMcNBbE3X1S9X

This is the pen I use. It washes off with cold water.

So far I haven't had any issues with bleeding into threads or fading before rinsing it off. I love this pen!

There is a book I bought on Amazon to help me with stitches. It taught me alot and I created a piece just on types of stitches.

Embroidery: A Step-by-Step Guide to More than 200 Stitches https://www.amazon.com/dp/1465436030/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fcQ4Cb41S201C

Just chiming in to say that you could also use something like this which sticks onto the fabric and you can actually print your pattern onto it. Then you wash it away when your project is finished. It works really well if you can’t draw and don’t want to trace (like me lol)

I bought this set from Amazon. It was a bit difficult getting the alignment right with the oval when putting it together (I didn't stitch it in this hoop) but it does hold the fabric nice and taut!

Thank you so much! I got these hoops in Amazon, here's the link https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072R6JZ5F

It's DMC! :-) Here's a link!! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W5HTX4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_NdYizbNPCHHZA

I have this book and I really like it.

Hi, the pattern is from the book called: Embroidered Mandalas: 25 Iron-On Mandala Designs to Stitch, Color, and Share

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1454710411/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PaOQCbZTWAAC9

You can use floss bobbins or sort them into little individual ziploc bags. I wouldn't use a popsicle stick because that will cease the floss and make it hard to work with.

Something like this would work great.

I got them on amazon! They are deceptive though, the outside is rubber. So you cannot do a project in it, but you can put a finished one in it. Hoops!

I use a water disappearing marker ( https://www.amazon.com/DMC-U1539-Embroidery-Transfer-Blue/dp/B000W5HTX4/ ) on light fabric, and a white chalk tailor's pencil ( https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Dressmakers-Marking-Pencil-White/dp/B003WM9ZU4/ ) on dark fabric. For woven fabric, I tape the design to the window, tape the fabric over top, and trace. For felt, I haven't found a good way to trace designs on, so I have to freehand. I tried iron-on paper/pencil to transfer designs onto felt ( https://www.amazon.com/Aunt-Marthas-Create-Iron-Pattern/dp/B005VA32EK/ ), but I couldn't get it to work.

I use this one
Sulky 8.5x11 stabilizer, 8.5" x 11" 12-Pack, White fabri solvy

here!

Amazon!

They can be purchased on Amazon

They have a variety of shapes and sizes if you browse a little

I'm doing my first embroidery project now. I printed the design onto a sheet of Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy Stabilizer & just stitch on top of it. Then when I'm done, it just washed away.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004R2B3NU?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Don't want to show the whole of it for privacy reasons. It's all back stitch over printed fabric. I used printable Fabri-Solvy to transfer the design.

I’m not sure if this is allowed by the rules here but here is the first link I found of them - hoops

I order mine from Amazon! I haven't had any luck finding it in craft stores

Sulky 8.5x11 stabilizer, 8.5" x 11" 12-Pack, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004R2B3NU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_liwDDb4DMFF8C

I use this pen and it's never given me any trouble. I just spray my finished embroidery with water and the lines disappear. I've been using the same one for 2ish years (~10 pieces).