When I first got into embroidery, during what I would call my “embroidery childhood,” tools weren’t a huge concern. I had a plastic hoop, a needle, and my mom’s old pair of Fiskar scissors.

And it was fine! I was ten, after all. What more could I want?

As I reached embroidery adolescence, my tool box expanded a little bit. I had a decent wood hoop. I had a smaller pair of scissors that were really sharp.

And it was fine! I was just ending high school, and then working my way through college (penny pinching!), and embroidery was an occasional pastime.

When I eventually passed into embroidery adulthood – which corresponded to that time of life when I was pursuing a teaching career and post-graduate studies – I had developed a little more skill in embroidery, and I had a little more financial freedom. This is when I started to enjoy good tools. I found my first slate frame. I invested in an excellent pair of scissors. I discovered quality English needles and cotton floche. I purchased my first goldwork supplies. And I began to devour silk thread.

And it was fine! Very fine!

One thing that I learned, once I found and used good tools, is that good tools help make a hobby (or a job) easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable.