How to Hand Sew & Embroider

Hand sewing and embroidery remain useful skills in today's busy world. The recent revival in crafting has led to a renewed interest in this type of handwork, as well as new availability of modern and playful patterns to hand sew and embroider. Hand sewing is portable, relaxing, and affordable. Embroidery can be as simple as adding a design to a dish towel or as complex as creating a heavily beaded bag, elaborate pillow or decorative wall hanging. Learning how to use a needle will also allow you to do your own mending and simple alterations without difficulty.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric, such as a flour sack towel Iron and ironing board Embroidery pattern Pencil or fabric marking pen Embroidery floss Embroidery hoop Embroidery needle

Instructions

1. Wash and press your fabric. Transfer your pattern to your fabric using a warm iron per the instructions provided with the pattern or trace a pattern onto your fabric with a pencil or fabric marking pen.

2. Organize your embroidery floss and hand sewing thread. Many people prefer to wind floss around scrap cardboard or purchased embroidery floss bobbins for ease of use. This will also reduce tangling and knots as you hand sew or embroider. A small box or storage bags can be used to store your embroidery supplies.

3. Secure your fabric into an embroidery hoop by laying the area you want to embroider over the bottom hoop and tightening the top hoop over the bottom ring and fabric. A standard, inexpensive round hoop works well for most projects, but very large, complex or delicate projects may require a scroll-type embroidery frame. Hand sewing is typically done in hand, without a hoop, and simple embroidery projects can also be completed without a hoop.

4. Decide what colors and stitches you will use in your embroidery, or choose the most secure and least visible stitch when hand sewing. Large solid blocks of color are best suited to satin stitch, while a back stitch, chain stitch or stem stitch can be used for outline work. If you are hand sewing, a back stitch is ideal for sewing seams. Use a blind hem stitch to hand sew a hem or a running stitch to baste pieces together.

5. Keep knots neat, small and minimal when hand sewing or embroidering. Work in small, even stitches using a sharp needle. Choose an appropriate number of strands of floss when using embroidery floss. Three strands is standard for all but the finest embroidery. Opt for short lengths of thread or floss to prevent excessive wear.

Tips & Warnings

• Embroider tea towels, pillows, wall hangings or clothing for a personal touch in your home or wardrobe. Hand sewing skills make it easy to make small stuffed toys and do your own alterations.

• Be aware that embroidery floss dyes may bleed, particularly when used on washable goods.

Resources

• Sublime Stitching
• Hand Sewing
• Hand Embroidery Stitches