Embroidery is the ideal relaxing way for you to connect with your inner creative soul and enjoy the process of making something beautiful. Here’s our top tips for embroidery which will help prevent you from getting in a tangle and boost your stitching confidence!
1. Use an embroidery hoop stand to free up your hands
Using an Embroidery Hoop Stand will free up your hands and allow you to work on trickier stitches such as French Knots with ease. This ‘third arm’ also helps to relieve cramped or tired hands and allows you to stitch for longer in comfort.
Our Embroidery Hoop Stand is very flexible and comfortably holds any embroidery hoop and tapestry frame up to 12”. Simply clamp your own hoop into the stand, slip the base under your leg to hold it steady and start stitching.
2. Use embroidery thread gloss to help stop knots and protect your thread
If you suffer from tangled, knotted or static-y threads while you're stitching then you’re not alone! The solution is to use thread gloss. Simply thread your needle and lay the threads nearest the needle onto the thread gloss. Using your thumb, put light pressure onto the thread whilst you gently pull them along the top of the thread gloss to give them an light even coating. One or two light pulls should be plenty. Knot your threads and start stitching. Our thread gloss comes in a variety of sumptuous scents to bring another level to your stitching.
3. Don’t use long working lengths of thread
It’s an easy trap to fall into; you think that threading your embroidery needle with a long length of thread will save you time, but you’ll run the risk of getting in a tangle. Keep your thread lengths 40cm-50cm long at the most and you’ll find it much easier to stitch with.
4. Keep your fabric taut in the embroidery hoop
Your fabric should be drum tight. If it’s not, your stitches may become distorted and uneven. Keep checking it’s taut whilst working to keep your stitches nice and neat. Avoid pulling the edges of the fabric to make the centre taught as this will most likely result in distorted fabric grain. Loosen the screw, re-adjust the tension of the fabric and tighten the screw to set the desired fabric tension.
5. Make sure you have good light
Good lighting is essential for hand embroidery, especially in the winter or evenings. Use a daylight lamp so you’re not straining your eyes and can keep on stitching to your heart’s delight!
6. Use a Needle Minder
Needle minders are the stitcher's best friend! They are magnetic and sit on your fabric (or cuff, table, sewing machine etc.) Every time you need to put your needle down, pop it on the needle minder and the strong magnet will keep it safe until you need to get going again. No more needles down the side of the sofa or on the carpet! Plus our cute designs will bring some fun personality to any craft project - you can see all of them here.
7. Get comfy
This is your time, so make sure you settle in on a comfy seat and have plenty of drinks and snacks on hand to keep you going; it’s easy to lose track of time once you get going! It’s also a good idea to turn off your phone so you don’t get distracted and give yourself a break from those never-ending notifications.
Bonus Tip – Start with a kit!
If you’re a complete beginner or have stitched a little before and want to create a new design, then our embroidery kits are the perfect place to start! They will supply you with all the tools, materials and skills you need to learn the wonderful craft of embroidery, including our ‘Guide to Embroidery’ booklet with step-by-step instructions for 20 stitches which will set you on your embroidery journey and inspire you to keep learning.
Happy stitching!
Stephanie x
Founder & Creative Director, Hawthorn Handmade
