How to Learn Embroidery Stitches
The picture of a Victorian woman sitting primly on a chair doing needlepoint lends an old-fashioned air to embroidery, but embroidery is a craft with many variations to fit almost anyone's style or preference. To learn embroidery stitches, it is important to consider the type of material and look you want for your finished project. Once these choices are made, simply find the embroidery method best suited for your project. Read on to learn embroidery stitches.
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Things You'll Need
- Material such as linen, cotton or damask
- Embroidery hoops in several sizes and shapes
- Embroidery needles in varying sizes
- Sharp scissors
- Embroidery iron on patterns or pre-stamped project
- Embroidery thread in the colors required for the project
- Container such as a divided plastic thread box or embroidery bobbins
Instructions
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Research each type of embroidery on the Internet or in the sewing and craft section of your favorite book store. There are hundreds of online sites and books with excellent pictures of each embroidery stitch.
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Check out books or websites on cross-stitch, one of the easiest and most popular forms of embroidery. Cross-stitch can be sewn on any fabric with a stamped-on pattern and is especially suited for those first learning embroidery. A good book for beginners is "Cross Stitch Designs: The Essential Reference Book" published by Better Homes & Gardens.
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Use a counted cross-stitch method when you have become more familiar with the art of embroidery. Counted cross-stitch is done on a special material with defined holes for each stitch, such as Aida Cloth. The number on the cloth reflects the number of cross-stitches in the material.
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Select crewel embroidery for a rich, dramatic look in your projects. Crewel embroidery is done using wool thread and linen material. The thickness of the wool against the linen really makes this form of embroidery pop. A good resource to learn Crewel embroidery is "A-Z of Crewel Embroidery" by Sue Gardener.
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Learn free style embroidery, the original form of embroidery, that allows you to stitch anything you want on any sort of fabric using any type of thread. Pick up a copy of "Stitch Sampler: The Ultimate Visual Dictionary to Over 200 Classic Stitches" by Lucinda Ganderton to learn all types of embroidery stitches.
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Tips & Warnings
Aida 18 means there are 18 cross-stitches per inch in the material, while Aida 14 would have 14 stitches per inch. The stitches in Aida 18 are smaller than Aida 14, making the Aida 14 a larger finished project.
Avoid projects with a lot of satin stitching or French knots. These stitches take a lot of practice to master.
