Embroidery is beautiful. The process of embroidery is even more so – it is calming, therapeutic, and 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 to create 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, do not forget to checkout posts “What is Embroidery” ;Â FAQ for starting embroidery for beginnersÂ
The best list of embroidery stitching tools, supplies, and equipment
- The best list of embroidery stitching tools, supplies, and equipment
- 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
- RulerÂ
- Thimble
- What are the extra embroidery supplies & tools which are nice to have
- Chenille needles
- Drawing  materialsÂ
- Dressmaker’s PinsÂ
- Needle threader
- Crewel Embroidery needles
- Tape measure
- Â Beeswax
- Iron and ironing board
- Tapestry needles
- Pinking scissors
- Wooden frames
- Â Beading needles
- Â Ball pointed scissors
- Embroidery transfer materialsÂ
- Embroidery patterns
- Thread snips
- Measuring instrumentsÂ
- BooksÂ
- Thread organizersÂ
- 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
Embroidery needles
The basic hand embroidery needles are available in a kit with all the essentials you need to start. Checkout this post on the Different types of sewing needles available.
Dress maker’s Scissors
This is the basic fabric-cutting scissors which you most probably 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 color fast and durable.
Checkout the 12 types of hand embroidery threads available.Â
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.
Embroidery hoop
The embroidery hoop stretches the cloth appropriately – essential to make very neat embroidery stitches. It is available in many sizes. In hand embroidery, we use a circular hoop, whereas, in machine embroidery, it is mostly a rectangular-shaped hoop.

For large projects in hand embroidery, you may want a free-standing hoop so that you can use both hands, or you may need to stretch a big fabric – you can buy all kinds of hoops to suit your needs.
Checkout the post on the different types of hoops and frames used in embroidery
RulerÂ
I have an 18 inch see-through plastic ruler and a small one that fits inside my hoop.
Thimble
Thimble is used for keeping your hands safe from the pricking needles and prevent blood-staining on embroidery.Â
What are the extra embroidery supplies & tools which are nice to have
Chenille needles
These are sharp-pointed needles with long thin eyes, and you can generally do all types of embroidery with this.
Drawing  materialsÂ
Drawing boards, drawing pins, a variety of cards and paper, and drawing and coloring materials.Â
Dressmaker’s PinsÂ
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 a round eye and are used for french knots and other knot stitches. The round eye makes it easy for the wrapped thread to slip down. Â
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 to protect 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.Â
Hole punching
Awls or stiletteos for making eyelet holes, useful in Broderie Anglaise embroidery.
InterfacingÂ
This is especially useful  for backing up work  on delicate fabrics
Pinking scissors
Pinking scissors give a zig-zag edge is useful to prevent fabric edges unraveling.
Checkout the 15Â 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  attach beads and sequins and many other things.
 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 materialsÂ
Black and white pounce, a pounce pad, paints, and a fine brush; A light table; Carbon sheets in various colors.Â
Checkout the various methods you can use for embroidery transfers
Templates
Metal, wood, or paper templates for patchwork and quilting.
Embroidery patterns
Buyable patterns can be transferred to the fabric. There are even pre-printed fabrics available in the market for those who are eager to get on with the embroidery.
Thread snips
These small snips help in cutting extra threads out.
Measuring instrumentsÂ
Measuring instruments—set square, protractor, compass, ruler, etc.
BooksÂ
Reference books for embroidery techniques and designs.Â
Thread organizersÂ
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. More tips on organizing threads here.
Magnifiers
If you have trouble seeing small stitches or just want to see the delicate work upclose these are handy tools to have .Â
Applique  scissors
This scissors is shaped like a duck bill and helps in cutting applique without damaging the nearby fabric.
Hand towels
Towels keep the hands clean for your work to be spotless. Keep towels or paper tissues handy.
Fray check
This is an alternative to finishing 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 hands.
Pin cushion
Keeps the needles handy and safe.Â
Seam ripper
Hopefully, you will not be using it, but if a mistake is made, you need the tool to rip the stitches open.
Read more on using seamripper correctly.
Tweezers
These have angled ends and help in picking stitches with precision. Also helps to pick small beads, crystals, and sequins. Â
Laying tool
This is a long needle-like tool that helps in laying the thread easily.
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 a 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 SmockingÂ
Related posts : Sampers in embroidery; Machine embroidery software

How to make a cross stitch pattern

10 ways to do embroidery with Pasiley Prints/ mango designs
18 easy to do Border designs in embroideryÂ

Updated on December 28, 2022 by Sarina Tariq
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