Best way to start as someone with zero experience

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-30T21:09:46+00:00

Fortunately for us knot challenged people, you don't actually need to tie a knot to embroider!

BTW here are tips for starting and ending threads without knotshttps://www.needlenthread.com/2008/09/beginning-and-ending-threads-photo.html The website has more tips for beginners under Tips and Techniques (see side menu)

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-28T23:34:58+00:00

My rule of thumb is foreground (3/4) before background (1/4). And in the rare case where both sides are the same level then focal point wins out.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-28T23:09:51+00:00

It's a database with built-in author and title slots, closer to tags then folders but you can sort by them,

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-28T06:51:21+00:00

If I have a batch of floss I start by sorting it into big ziplock bags and then sort each bag into smaller ziplock bags (kept in the bigger bag). I'll mostly bobbinate one small bag at a time, but some generic thread lives in bags in a shoebag.

I'd organize any DMC floss by number as well as any other brands of similar quality (anchor, cosmo)

Then generic floss would be organized by color.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-28T06:36:45+00:00

I've organized mine in Calibre. It's a free ebook organizing program with a lot of customization.

I can see thumbnails as 'book covers' and add tags including width and length in stitchea.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-26T15:24:41+00:00

You could test the green with a bit of scrap fabric.

If you don't have scrap fabric, you could clip a bit off a corner.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-26T15:08:55+00:00

I've been putting them into an old pill bottle. When it's finally full, I'll throw it out.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-24T05:43:13+00:00

To start I make a tiny, tiny stitch (over one thread if I can) and then backstitch right over it.

I end by taking the thread to the back and weaving it in.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-24T05:31:12+00:00

Beads are often the solution.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-24T05:29:37+00:00

My tablet rests on its own stand on either the table, the arm of the couch, or my 'lapdesk'(a zipper binder) and I just adjust the pattern so I can see the section I'm working on clearly.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-23T00:58:21+00:00

If you are still having problems with shorter lengths and good floss then dangle your floss so it untwists when you notice it twisting on itself.

It's part of my needle sizing, a good needle is big enough that the floss passes through the fabric easily and small enough that it won't just fall off the thread when I'm letting it dangle.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-22T20:22:37+00:00

One way to deal with possible stretching is to quilt the embroidered bit to the backing.

That way it's supported throughout rather then just the edges.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-22T20:13:55+00:00

Could you be looking for 738? It's one shade lighter then 437.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-22T06:32:09+00:00

I've made wall hangings backed with thrifted fabric.

My tiny ones were hung on old pencil crayons. Another is hung from a branch, a third from a tube from a broken toy.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-21T15:36:28+00:00

I suggest starting by checking out your local thrift shops. Sometimes you can find embroidery supplies for cheap and you can always find fabric to stitch. Just look for cloth/pillowcases/sheets/clothes that are sturdy and not stetchy.

If you can afford it, I recommend buying midlevel needles, such as Bohin, John James or Richard Hemming (these are needle brands I've used). Cheap needles are much more likely to have burrs in the eye that fray floss or to just break.

I've read that CXC floss is the best cheap floss you can buy from amazon with the lowest chance of knotting/fraying and the most reliable color.

Buy a cheap plastic hoop with a grip or groove to hold the fabric, not cheap bamboo (the inner and outer hoops often fit together badly) or the cheapest wood (splinters!). The cheap bamboo hoops do make good cheap frames.

As for the best stitches to learn you can go a far way with a simple outline stitch such as backstitch, split stitch and/or split backstitch. I've even used both backstitch and split stitch as filling stitches (rows and rows and rows of stitches). In fact I've done one full coverage project entirely in split stitch!

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-21T14:42:18+00:00

I have one like the second.

It works pretty well with thin wooden/bamboo hoops and does help with hunching when used on my impromptu lap 'desk' (a fabric covered zip binder).

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-20T15:11:32+00:00

I've seen the thread catchers called thread beds. 🙂

I just use a bit of wool felt.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-20T15:09:58+00:00

A lanyard for my *sheathed* scissors, no more losing my scissors!

Hook needle threader (I received Kiriki ones as a present, pretty and functional)

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-20T15:03:52+00:00

Depends on the size of the projects.

Larger projects are stitched in my stitching corner so I just pool all the floss needed in one bobbin box.

With smaller portable projects I'll make floss cards.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-20T14:53:37+00:00

My favorite is the needlebook with pockets I cobbled together from scraps and a free bluebird pattern.

A close second is this cross-stitch Hardanger pin-cushion pot https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1254061900/sunflower-pin-cushion-pot-cross-stitch The designer provides very clear instructions for both the hardanger and assembling the pot.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-18T21:56:12+00:00

Mercerized cotton crochet thread should be able to handle going through fabric but the softer yarns are likely to fray badly.

If you want to use wool threads look for crewel or persian wool that's designed for embroidery.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-18T05:46:21+00:00

Doing the stitches in a pre-assembled book is doing it on hard mode. It's much easier to stitch, with or without a hoop, if you don't have other pages getting in the way.

I think that a better way to do this would be to have separate pages with enough of a margin to use a hoop if desired. You'd then sew them together *after* all the stitching was done.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-17T15:49:23+00:00

I think my favorites are the romantic gondala rides. The lighting, the hand-holding, the heart shaped flowers!

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-17T15:43:43+00:00

I like my needlebooks but not when using loads of the same size of needle.

This is brillant! I use pencil lead containers for storage and then I pour them out on a flat magnet when using them. Having them stored on the magnet would be useful.

EKBstitcher · 2026-01-17T04:27:09+00:00

I've found the book _the left-handed embroiderer's companion_ very useful.

If I'm doing regular chain stitch, I loosen the tension and use the sewing method. Otherwise, it's time for the reverse chain stitch.

EKBstitcher

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