We started by asking where a beginner should start looking for resources and guides, as the internet is full of videos and instructions. Michelle Staub suggested that people just pick something and get to work on it. “I would recommend starting with a full embroidery kit or a pattern. With a kit, you’ll receive all of the materials you need and won’t have to go out and get all of your own thread colors and fabric. You may even end up with some leftover thread for future projects. If you can, avoid buying kits sold on Amazon because almost all of them contain stolen designs from other embroidery artists.”

“It’s best to buy kits from shops on Etsy to support small businesses. You can also find embroidery kits at craft stores. You may also choose to just get a pattern and source all of the materials yourself. You can find digital embroidery patterns on Etsy, or there is a large collection of free ones on DMC.com. If you’re looking to learn a wide range of different embroidery stitches then look for something called an embroidery sampler. If you’re a visual learner and like to follow along with videos, Youtube is a great place to find tutorials for different embroidery stitches. There are also online courses that teach embroidery that you can pay to take.”

Some beginners say they fear wasting materials or aren’t sure about buying quality yarn and threads. Chloe Giordano suggested that “If you're not intending to sell the embroidery I think there's nothing wrong with opting for cheaper materials, as you'll be less worried about making mistakes and 'ruining' supplies. I always recommend just diving in, experimenting with different styles, and accepting that you'll make mistakes along the way, I messed up a lot of embroideries before I got to the good ones!”

Michelle Staub had similar thoughts. “The great thing about embroidery is that you can use a wide range of different fabrics, thread, hoops, and needles and it can all work. However, there is a difference in quality between brands of thread. The most common brands are DMC, Anchor, and Cosmo. Other brands may fray as you work and may not be colorfast. In my opinion, it’s worth it to buy the name brand thread since the quality is the best and one skein of thread will last you some time.”

“As far as needles, fabric, and hoops, it is all pretty similar. A generic multi-size pack of embroidery needles will last you some time. You can embroider on literally anything from cotton, linen, and felt, to even your clothing. And as long as your hoop can hold your fabric tight you’re good to go! You can find these items in craft stores or even secondhand thrift stores. My first-ever projects were stitched on an old canvas chair slipcover that I found at a thrift store and cut up,” she added, clarifying some details that could be useful for beginners. 

We also wanted to know if there were any specific mistakes or misconceptions they often encountered. Michelle Staub told us that “I think people are afraid to start learning embroidery because they’re worried their project won’t end up “perfect.” I will tell you that there are mistakes in every embroidery you see but only the stitcher will be able to tell you where they are! The only way you will be able to improve with embroidery is if you actually do it and practice. And the best way of learning is to just try it and learn from your mistakes as you go!” 

Chloe Giordano focused on the mechanics of embroidery. “From a technical point of view, it's that beginners often don't tighten the fabric in the hoop properly - it should be completely taut like the skin of a drum.” Lastly, Michelle Staub wanted readers to take home this piece of advice: “I think it’s really easy to look at someone else’s embroidery and compare your work to theirs. It can be intimidating, especially if you’re just starting out! Just know that those people were once where you were.”

“What you see is the result of their hours and hours of practice. We all start somewhere! It’s very brave to try something new and be open to making mistakes and learning. If you’re interested in embroidery this is your sign to pick up a needle and thread and give it a go!” You can find Chleo’s site here, Michelle’s here, and if you want to see more creations, check out one of our other articles here. 

We also asked the team at the Kitschy Stitcher about the importance of material quality and how much of a headache should it be to novice embroidery enthusiasts. "One of my favorite things about hand embroidery is that you don't need fancy supplies to get started! If you're just learning for yourself as a hobby, everything you need is at any local craft store. You can buy a hoop, fabric, and thread all for around $5."

"If you want to begin selling your work down the road, then you could invest in nicer quality embroidery hoops, etc. Any basic embroidery hoop, embroidery needle, and cotton fabric will do, though! As for the thread, I've always used DMC brand thread which is at all the major craft stores. I've even used the 97cent fat-quarter fabric samples from Walmart to create some beautifully stitched pieces. (Just remember to stay away from stretchy fabric because it can warp your embroidery design as it moves when you stitch onto it! I always go for either a sturdy Cotton or a Linen blend fabric.)" If you want to see more of their creations, you can find them on Instagram.