Embroidery for Beginners: Start Here (With the Simplest Supplies)

If you’ve been thinking about trying embroidery but feel a bit unsure where to start, you’re in the right place.

You don’t need a craft room full of tools. You don’t need to buy loads of supplies. And you definitely don’t need to be “good at sewing”.

You just need a needle, some thread, and something to stitch on.

The absolute minimum you need to start embroidery

Let’s keep this simple. To begin embroidery, you need:

• A needle
• Thread
• Fabric
• Scissors

That’s it. You probably already have most of this at home.

A needle

A basic sewing needle works perfectly to start. If you have embroidery (crewel) needles, they’re a little easier because the eye is larger, but it’s not essential for your first try.

If you’re wondering what needle size to use, I’ve put a simple guide together here:

How to thread an embroidery needle (and which size to use)

Thread

Embroidery thread is lovely to use (and easy to separate into strands), but ordinary sewing thread is absolutely fine while you’re learning.

Fabric

An old shirt, a pillowcase, a tea towel, or a scrap of cotton fabric is perfect. Light-coloured fabric makes it easier to see your stitches, especially at the start.

Scissors

Small sharp scissors are best, but if you don't have those any scissors are fine too.

You don’t need a hoop to begin. It can help, but it isn’t essential for your very first stitches.

If you do have a hoop (or you’re curious), this guide will help you set it up quickly and neatly:

How to set up your embroidery hoop

Draw a simple design (no printer required)

Start small.

Draw a simple shape directly onto your fabric using a pencil or a washable pen. A heart, a leaf, a tiny flower outline, or your initial is perfect.

This is not about perfection. It’s just about getting comfortable with the needle in your hand.

Your first stitch: back stitch

If you only learn one stitch to begin with, make it back stitch.

Back stitch is simple, strong, and brilliant for outlining shapes. It gives you a neat line and very satisfying progress (which is exactly what you want as a beginner).

To work back stitch:

1. Bring your needle up through the fabric.
2. Go back down a small stitch length behind where you came up.
3. Bring the needle up again one stitch length ahead.
4. Repeat.

Take small stitches to begin with. They’re easier to control and give a smoother outline.

If you’d like step-by-step photos and extra tips, here’s my full guide:

How to do back stitch

Keep it relaxed (and avoid tangles)

Cut a manageable length of thread, around 40cm, roughly from your fingertips to your elbow. Shorter thread tangles less and makes stitching feel much calmer.

If you’re getting annoyed by thread that won’t behave, this guide will help:

Threading tips and tangle fixes for beginners

If your stitches aren’t perfectly even, that’s completely fine. Embroidery is forgiving. The more you stitch, the more natural it feels.

This is meant to be relaxing, not a test.

Embroidery beginners: start small, keep going

The hardest part is starting.

You don’t need to learn every stitch. You don’t need to buy loads of supplies. You just need one needle and one simple line of stitching.

Start with back stitch. Outline a tiny shape. Finish something small.

Once you see those first stitches forming, you’ll understand why so many people find embroidery calming, satisfying, and (slightly) addictive.

Stitch a little today. That’s enough.