When planning hand embroidery projects, particularly when it comes to hand embroidery for beginners, one of the first questions most people ask is what types of embroidery materials or hand embroidery supplies are needed.

The art of hand embroidery has been performed for centuries. While early needleartists might have spun or weaved their own hand embroidery materials or trekked miles to a general store to buy them, modern makers can easily find hand embroidery supplies online at the click of a button! Thanks to the internet, you can sit comfortably at home and browse for embroidery supplies online, including right here at Missouri Star! We have the embroidery supplies you need for vintage and modern hand embroidery projects.

What Supplies Do You Need for Hand Embroidery?

The fine hand embroidery supplies you need are quite basic. At the core of embroidery is, of course, something to embroider on! Many quilters make crazy quilts, which they embellish with embroidery stitches - and to make those stitches, quilters’ favorite thread by far is size 8 perle cotton. It’s the “Goldilocks” thread by type and weight – just right! It is strong and has a beautiful sheen. We have high-quality perle cotton thread in a wide spectrum of colors.

After you have your base material and your thread, the other essential item you’ll need is a set of good hand embroidery needles. Embroidery needles range in size to accommodate different thread weights. They have sharp points and large, elongated eyes. We carry high-quality needles by manufacturers such as John James of England, and even designer embroidery needles by Kaffe Fassett!

Besides your needles, two other essential hand embroidery tools in your sewing basket should be a hoop and fine-point scissors. A hoop, whether a traditional wooden hoop with a screw-type tightener or a plastic, spring-tension hoop, will keep your fabric taut as you embroider. Without a hoop, it’s very difficult to maintain even tension, and your stitches could end up tightly puckered or loose and sloppy. Embroidery scissors are small – usually about 3-4 inches – and have fine, sharp points. Their small size is handy, but the sharp points are essential for precise hand embroidery work.

Now that you know the basics of hand embroidery, check out our full line of embroidery supplies to get started on your stitching journey!