Tips & Techniques
A list of all kinds of hand embroidery tutorials, tips, and techniques, including beginner tips for embroidery, tips on transferring embroidery patterns and designs, working with specific embroidery threads, tips on goldwork, on silk shading, on individual embroidery stitches. These are all articles relating to hand embroidery found here on Needle ‘n Thread.
Hand Embroidery Lessons & Step-by-Step Projects
- Stitch Snippet 2024: The Christmas Mitten
- Stitch Snippet 2024: Harvest Hues
- Stitch Snippet 2024: Cornflower Scissor Envelope
- Stitch Snippet 2024: Purple Posy Tape Measure Cover
- Stitch Snippet 2023: Christmas Wreath Ornament
- Stitch Snippets 2023: Sweet Marguerite, an Accent Linen
- Stitch Snippets 2023: Little Blooms: A Mini Snap Purse
- Goldwork Altar Covers Project Index (2022-2023)
- Stitch Snippets 2022: Christmas Tree Ornament
- Stitch Snippets 2022: Autumn Fire
- Stitch Snippets 2022: Cotton Quartet: a Sampler Tool Wallet
- Stitch Snippets 2022: Bee-Jeweled Pincushion Project Index
- How to Embroidery (Blank): Tutorials for Small Embroidery Projects
- Sea to Stitch – Embroidered Monogram Project
- Embroidered Kaleidoscopes Project Index
- Embroidery on Felted Wool Mittens
- Embroidery Archeology: Salvaging Figure Embroidery
- Embroidered Monograms: Tips & Techniques
- Late Harvest Embroidery Project
- Hand Embroidered Christmas Ornaments
- Chicken Scratch / Gingham Embroidery
- Secret Garden Hummingbirds
- Tambour Embroidery
- How to Embroider Leaves – 16 Different Ways
- Mission Rose
- Embroidery on Eggs
- Deconstructing Goldwork
- Hungarian Redwork Runner
- Embroidery with Beads Index
- Stitch Fun Series
- Marian Medallion Project in Goldwork & Silk
- Goldwork & Silk Tudor-Style Rose
- Wool Embroidery Project: Pomegranate Corners
- Developing a Spot Sampler
- Long & Short Embroidery Stitch Lessons
- Hand Embroidered Lettering Lessons
- The Blackwork Fish Project
- Goldwork Pomegranate Project
- Crewel Rooster Project
- Church Embroidery: Agnus Dei Project
- Drawn Thread Embroidery
Tips Especially for Beginners
- How-To Videos for Hand Embroidery
- Starting and Ending Threads
- Neatening the Edge of Fabric before Stitching
- Transferring a Repeat Pattern (Iron-on)
- Equally Spacing Spokes and Petals
- Some Thoughts on Embroidery Stitches & Samplers
- Preparing Linen for Embroidery
- On Threading Needles (read the comments section, too!)
- Making False Starts – Knowing When to Start Over
- The Back of the Embroidery
- Removing and Repairing a Slip Knot on the Back of your Work
- Hand Embroidered Lettering and Text Index – a series of tutorials
- Stem Stitch around a Circle
- Joining Chain Stitch around a Circle
- Stem Stitch Corners
- Stitch Play Series
- Backstitch vs. Split Backstitch
Transferring Patterns
- Embroidery Design Transfer Methods – List with various links – read the comments, too!
- Developing an Embroidery Design using Monograms
- Preparing Linen for Embroidery
- Transferring a Design onto a Dressed Slate Frame
- Transferring a Repeat Pattern (Iron-on)
- Tracing a Pattern (information is contained in the text of this post)
- Using Solvy to Transfer Your Design: Part I
- Using Solvy to Transfer Your Design: Part II
- Transferring a Pattern Using Prick and Pounce
- General Information about Iron-on Patterns
- Designing your Own Embroidered Card Pattern
- Difficulties of Pencil Transfer with Whitework
- Transferring a Pattern using Tracing Paper and Tacking stitches
Hoops, Frames, and Stands
- The Embroidery Hoop
- Dressing a Slate Frame
- Using a Stretcher Bar Frame
- Stand Review for the Needlework System 4
- On Embroidery Hoops in General
- Using a Scroll Frame for Ribbon Embroidery (read the comments section for reader input!)
- A Project from its Conception to the Beginning Stitches (includes commentary on planning, framing, transferring)
Threads
- Wool Threads for Hand Embroidery – a list of articles and comparisons of different brands
- Silk Threads 101: Getting Started with Silk – Spun Silk
- Silk 101: Twisted Filament Silk
- Silk 101: Flat Silk
- Selecting Threads (& Stitches) for an Embroidery Project
- Testing Embroidery Threads: Colorfast?
- Piper’s Silk Gimp
- Combining Wool & Silk Threads
- Thread Conversion – DMC to Anchor, etc.
- Cotton Floche vs. Danish Flower Thread
- Floche, Perle, and Stranded Cotton
- Twisted Silks in Use
- Comparison of Twisted Silks
- Comparison of Flat Silks, Part I
- Comparison of Flat Silks, Part II
- Goldwork Threads: Sadi
- Goldwork Threads: Passing Thread Close Up
- Size Comparison: Gilt Silk Twist vs. Stranded Cotton
- Embroidering with Gilt Silk Twist (needle info, etc., within the artcle)
- Further Clarification on Floche, Coton a Broder, and Danish Flower Thread
Individual Stitches and Techniques
- Embroidering Trees, Part 1
- Embroidering Trees, Part 2
- How to Embroider a Pumpkin in Less than 5 Minutes
- Guilloche Stitch
- Shisha Work, Without Mirrors
- Padded Satin Stitch & Saving Silk
- How to Embroider Perfect Stars or Snowflakes
- Padded Satin Stitch Blooper – The Fix, Part 1
- Padded Satin Stitch – the Fix, Part 2
- Backstitch vs. Split Backstitch
- Embroidering a Thick Stem or Branch using rows of Whipped Chain Stitch
- Complete Interlaced Herringbone (aka kutch work) Printable Tutorial
- Thorough Cast-On Stitch & Double Cast-On Stitch Printable Tutorial
- Interlaced Herringbone Band – Quick Tutorial
- Cast-On Stitch Rose
- Simple Cast-On Stitch Flower
- Isolated French Knots – part 1
- Isolated French Knots – part 2
- French Knot vs. Colonial Knot
- Shisha without Mirrors
- Split Stitch vs Split Backstitch
- Diagonally Striped Raised Band
- Couching: Beyond the Straight Stitch
- Inside-Out Buttonhole Flowers
- Casalguidi – Really Raised Stem Stitch
- Raised Stem Stitch Band
- Raised Spider Web Daisy
- Beaded Palestrina Stitch
- Combining Chain Stitch & Buttonhole Stitch
- Stitch Play Series
- Long and Short Stitch Shading (Thread Painting, Needle Painting) – a series of tutorials, including videos
- Video Library of Hand Embroidery Stitches
- The Difference Between Stem Stitch and Outline Stitch
- Stem Stitch Circles
- Stem Stitch Corners
- Joining Chain Stitch on a Circle
- Whipped Backstitch and Running Stitch – Stitch direction makes a difference!
- Satin Stitch around a Tight Curve
- Satin Stitch: Outlining and Padding before Stitching
- Making Flowers out of Buttonhole Stitch
- Making Hollyhocks out of Buttonhole Stitch
- Working Herringbone Stitch in a Circle
- Experimenting with Italian Stitch in Silk and Gold
- Using Seed Stitch as a Filling
- How to Make a Bullion Rose Bud – this is a video tutorial that includes tips on starting and ending threads
- Lattice Work for the Center of a Flower
- Plaited Braid Stitch Musings
- Couching Lattince Work
- Thread Painting Tips – Long and Short Stitch Shading
- Thread Painting Tip from Trish Burr
- Stitching a Better Satin Stitch
- Beginning a Cutwork Piece
- Satin Stitching on Linen – satin stitch on fabric usually used for counted thread techniques (check the comments section, too, for good tips!)
Drawn Thread Embroidery Tips
- Chain Loop Bunches in Drawn Thread Embroidery
- Hemstitch Tutorial: Photo Tutorial on the Hemstitch used in Drawn Thread Embroidery
- Securing the Edges for Drawn Thread Embroidery: Re-Weaving the Drawn Threads
- Securing the Edges for Drawn Thread Embroidery: Satin Stitch Bars
- Diamond Stitch used in Drawn Thread Embroidery
Fabric
- What is Cloth of Gold?
- Taking Care of Linens and Projects (read the comments, too)
- Embroidering on Vintage Linens
- Fabric for Surface Embroidery and Tips on Linen
On Specific Tools
- On Threading Needles
- Selecting the Right Needle for the Job
- A Boo-boo Stick
- Tack Kit (for stretcher bars)
- Thread Rings and Keeps
- The Contents of a Needlework Toolbox
- How to Make a Simple Needle Roll for Storing Needles
Goldwork
- High Relief Goldwork: Lily
- High Relief Goldwork Rose
- Deconstructing Goldwork: Dimensional Lamb
- Couching Stretched Pearl Purl
- Creating Gold Rings with Pearl Purl
- Sharp Corners with Couched Goldwork Threads
- Stretched Purl Pearl wrapped with Thread (gold and floss twist)
- Using a Plunging Lasso (for plunging goldwork threads)
- Goldwork Threads: Sadi
- Couching Gold over Silk, and Some Comments on Plunging Threads
- Repairing Cloth of Gold (read the comment section especially!)
- Preparing Beetle Wings for Embroidery
- Chipwork and Working with Purl
- Or Nue Information
- Goldwork Tools
- Stretching Pearl Purl and Couching in the Valleys
- What is Pearl Purl and How to Use It
Finish Work
- Damp Stretching & Blocking Embroidery
- Ironing Your Finished Embroidery
- Finish Work: How to Frame a Piece of Embroidery
- Finishing an Embroidered Pouch
- Making a Cord, Tassel, and Button
Organization
- Floss and Thread Organization, Part I ***
- Floss and Thread Organization, Part II ***
- Keeping Organized While Stitching
- Organizing a Project Room (no real tips, just what I did)
- Organizing Threads, Especially Floche, Coton a Broder, and Perle Cotton
- Organizing Threads Using Key Chain Tabs
- Organizing Threads using Thread Cards
Miscellaneous (There’s always a junk drawer, isn’t there?)
- Setting up a Children’s Embroidery Class (including making your own thread holders)
- An Online Resource for Tips and Tricks
- Making Dorset Buttons
- Making Embroidery Stitch Videos
- Budgeting so you can Afford your Hobby
- Making an Arm-Chair Thread Catcher for Scraps and Orts
- How Many Hand Embroidery Techniques Are There, Anyway? (read comments!)
- Stitching a Stuffed Figure