The Joys of Embroidery - What you need to know

I doubt anyone knows how long embroidery has been around but I'm guessing at least for thousands of years. The styles and colors may have changed, but the techniques are the same by passing the needle and thread through fabric.

Embroidery is straightforward and easy to learn. There is no outlandish code, nor counting of your stitches. Plus the tools you'll need are inexpensive.

1. You will need a needle (look for embroidery on the needle package).
2. Floss (I highly recommend and only use DMC brand of floss).
3. Scissors they need to be sharp (unicorn thread snip scissors do exist).
4. Embroidery hoop - 6" or 8" in diameter (I grew up using wooden, but in a pinch, I used a plastic hoop, and I haven't gone back to a wooden one because I find that the plastic doesn't seem to stretch the fabric.)
5. Fabric (I have embroidery teatowels, 100% cotton for wall hangings and recently from Bareroots Designs I made up one of their kits, and I embroidered on linen).
6. Not necessary but you may enjoy a needle threader and a bag to place everything in nice and neatly. 

Once you learn the basics stitches, you'll find embroidery relaxing and captivating. There is a sense of calming from stitch by stitch and watching the artwork take shape to completion.

Embroidery is fantastic to take with you on a trip or to do while watching a movie on the couch. Plus, I've been known to embroider at sporting games (red sox games - Nascar), school functions, and family events.

To transfer patterns, I use a Frixion pen or marker in black or color depending on the color choice of fabric and convenience. I've had people suggest to me to use a light box, and one day I will invest in one, but currently, I've only used a house window as the sunshine through or merely placing the pattern on top of a table. I then lay the fabric over the design and then using the pen or marker to draw the images.

Okay, I have to share with you one of my favorite designers Aimee Ray and her iron-on transfer books. (No Frixion pen or marker needed.) Aimee Ray creates enchanting animals, plants, holiday cheer, and her designs are always whimsical doodles.

Each of her books comes with stitching instructions, everything you need to start a project, directions with pictures on how to stitch the stitch design. What color DMC floss she recommends. Some of her books include iron-on transfer pages that can be used more than once with the iron set on dry. The Motif Collection book comes with a CD.

Doodle Stitching The Christmas Collection Transfer Pack

Bring holiday cheer with this book filled with 100 delightful-inspired designs, including forest animals, sweet treats, nature-inspired mandalas, snowflakes, and vintage-style ornaments. Included in the book is a handy pocket at the back of the book to store the cutout transfer pieces to use and find them again easily.

Doodle Stitching Transfer Pack

Doodle Stitching Transfer Pack has over 300 whimsical iron-on patterns. The book has her most famous line motifs in seven favorite categories including animals, alphabets, flowers, and holiday doodles.

Embroidered Woodland Creatures

Our top selling book of hers is Embroidered Woodland Creatures. It has well over 50 iron-on transfers all inspired by nature. Her artwork includes but isn't limited to animals like foxes, bears, owls, and hedgehogs. Plus, many beautiful mandalas.

Doodle Stitching, the Motif Collection

Doodle Stitching, the Motif Collection. Included in the book is seventeen no-sew and easy to sew projects such as wearable and accessories (farmer market tote), home decor (flag banner/party napkins) and gifts (keepsake gift bags and tags) and more. Plus, over 400 embroidery motifs in 16 categories including, alphabet, baby, celebrations, embellishments, fruits and veggies, under the sea, woodland and farm animals and so much more!


Cozy up on the couch or your favorite chair and create the charming embroidery! Let's do it!