Embroidery is beautiful. The process of embroidery is even more so – it is calming, therapeutic, a medicine for the distressed soul. In my opinion everyone should take up embroidery. It makes everyone a creator with just a few supplies – A small piece of fabric ( for an embroidered handkerchief) and a few colored embroidery thread and needle are basically all you need for creating these fantastic designs which come alive literally before your eyes with a little bit of passion and a little bit of careful sewing.But it is still nice to have some extra tools.
If you are new to embroidery donot forget to checkout the FAQ for starting embroidery for beginners
The best list of embroidery stitching tools supplies and equipment
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- What are the embroidery tools you need to start – the basic ones
- Dress maker’s Scissors
- Small Pointed Scissors
- Notebook
- Embroidery Thread
- Drawing materials
- Tracing paper
- Fabric
- Embroidery hoop
- Ruler
- Thimble
- What are the extra embroidery supplies & tools which are nice to have
- Chenille needles
- Drawing materials
- Dressmaker’s Pins
- Needle threader
- Crewel Embroidery needles
- Tape measure
- Beeswax
- Iron and ironing board
- Tapestry needles
- Pinking scissors
- Wooden frames
- Beading needles
- Ball pointed scissors
- Embroidery transfer materials
- Embroidery patterns
- Thread snips
- Measuring instruments
- Books
- Thread organizers
- Magnifiers
- Applique scissors
- Hand towels
- Fray check
- Micro tip scissors
- Pin cushion
- Seam ripper
- Tweezers
- Laying tool
- Gold work
- Aari embroidery
- Applique work
- Canvas work
- Ribbon embroidery work
- Cross stitch work
- Punch embroidery
- Tatting
- Smocking
What are the embroidery tools you need to start – the basic ones
The basic hand embroidery needles are available in a kit with all the essentials you need to start. Checkout this post on the 14 types of hand sewing / embroidery needles available.
Dress maker’s Scissors
This is the basic fabric cutting scissors which most probably you already have
Small Pointed Scissors
A small-bladed, very sharp pair of scissors is an essential tool. Checkout the other 12 types of cutting tools you need for sewing
Notebook
This is for jotting down design ideas, layouts and other creative stuff
Embroidery Thread
Wool, linen, silk, cotton thread – Machine embroidery reel and hand embroidery bundles; whatever thread we use make sure it is colour fast and durable. Checkout the 12 types of hand embroidery threads available
Drawing materials
Water soluble pens/ chalks / Pencils . You can even use soap slithers for drawing embroidery designs
Tracing paper
Checkout the other 8 ways of transferring embroidery designs for your work
Fabric
You can embroider on any fabric – checkout the post on the 10 best fabric to choose for your embroidery projects for more details and this one – fabric glossary for all the fabric types available for you
Embroidery hoop
The embroidery hoop which stretches the cloth appropriately is available in many sizes . In hand embroidery we use a circular hoop where as in machine embroidery it is mostly a rectangular shaped hoop that is used.Checkout the post on the different types of hoops and frames used in embroidery
Ruler
I have an 18 inch see through plastic ruler and a small one which fits inside my hoop
Thimble
For keeping your fingers safe from the pricking needles and prevent blood staining on embroidery
What are the extra embroidery supplies & tools which are nice to have

Chenille needles
These are sharp pointed needles with thin long eye and you can do generally all types of embroidery with this .
Drawing materials
Drawing-boards, drawing-pins, a variety of card and paper and drawing and colouring materials
Dressmaker’s Pins
Ensure that you have the sharpest and finest ( without rust) as otherwise your fabric will be marred ; Safety pins also come useful
Needle threader
This small handy tool with a wire loop is a necessity for some with difficulty in threading needles. Checkout the different ways to thread the needle easily.
Crewel Embroidery needles
Crewel needles are sharp pointed needles with round eye and is used for french knots and other knot stitches . The round eye makes it easy for the wrapped thread to slip down.
Tape measure
Checkout this post if you would like to know more about reading the tape measure correctly
Beeswax
This is used to coat thread for protecting it from tangles and breaks
Iron and ironing board
Tapestry needles
These needles are blunt and are used for doing cross stitch, open work embroidery, wool embroidery etc.
Hole punching
Awls or stiletteos for making eyelet holes, useful in broderie anglaise.
Interfacing
This is especially useful for backing up work on delicate fabrics
Pinking scissors
This scissors giving a zig zag edge is useful to prevent fabric edges unravelling. Checkout the 15 ways of finishing fabric edges in sewing
Wooden frames
A tambour frame and a slate frame with the necessary pegs, string, tape, etc.
Fabric glue
To adhere beads and sequins
Beading needles
This small thin needle is especially suited for beading even small beads
Ball pointed scissors
This scissors is great for doing lace and net applique and embroidery
Embroidery transfer materials
Black and white pounce, a pounce pad, paints and a fine brush; A light table ; Carbon sheets in various colours. Checkout the various methods you can use for embroidery transfers
Templates
Metal, wood, or paper templates for patchwork and quilting.
Embroidery patterns
Buyable patterns which can be transferred to the fabric . There are even pre-printed fabric available in the market those who are eager to get on with the embroidery
Thread snips
These small snips helps in cutting extra threads out
Measuring instruments
Measuring instruments—set square, protractor, compass, ruler, etc
Books
Reference books for embroidery techniques and designs
Thread organizers
Tangled messy thread is a nightmare all embroidery enthusiast is familiar with. Small cardboard organiser to wind the extra thread and boxes to keep the thread neatly are very nice to have.
Magnifiers
If you have trouble seeing small stitches or just want to see the delicate work upclose these are handy tools to have .
Applique scissors
This scissors is shaped like a duck bill and helps in cutting applique without damaging nearby fabric
Hand towels
Keep the hands clean for your work to be spotless. Keep towels or paper tissues handy
Fray check
This is an alternative to finish the edges of the fabric . You can use this on thread ends too
Micro tip scissors
These small scissors have a very sharp point at the tip and big rings for your fingers .
Pin cushion
Keeps the needles handy and safe
Seam ripper
Hopefully you wouldnot be using it but if a mistake is made you need the tool to rip the stitches open
Tweezers
These have angled ends and help in picking stitches with precision. Also helps to pick small beads crystal and sequins
Laying tool
This is a long needle like tool which helps in laying the thread easy
Special embroidery techniques call for specific types of tools and equipment. If you are interested in a specific type of embroidery try to get hold of these tools for a successful attempt
Gold work
Metal threads, velvet-lined box for cut pieces, mullore for straightening and bending wire, and, shellac for painting over the wire when embroidery is complete.For zardosi work you can buy the special zardosi needle ( Tambour needle)
Aari embroidery
Aari needle – a needle with a hook at one end
Applique work
Freezer paper, stencils
Canvas work
Paste, pot and brush
Ribbon embroidery work
Silk and cotton ribbons, chinelle needle with big enough eye for the ribbon to pass through, awl
Cross stitch work
A special ruler – stitch count ruler. You get this for aida, linen, and canvas.With this ruler you can count the threads or boxes in an inch on the material you are doing the work
Punch embroidery
Punch embroidery needles
Tatting
Tatting shuttle
Smocking
A pleater is good to have for professional pleating ; Checkout the post on Beginner’s guide to Smocking
Comments 3
THANK YOUR FOR SHARING ME YOUR BEAUTIFUL HANDRICRAFT EMBROIDERY TOOLS.
Author
thanks for reading
Your knowledge about handicraft a big help to my teaching career. More Power