The Best Hand Embroidery Tips from an Embroidery Artist.

 Hello dear friends,

Welcome to our first masterclass. Today I will answer a few questions on hand embroidery skill tips and some common mistakes to avoid. 

It’s wonderful that you decided to take the plunge, and with a few quick and simple habits, you will, in time, become a good artist.

While it is important to practice your stitch techniques, your skills as an embroidery artist will develop by integrating a few simple tips and avoiding the mistakes that we all start out making.

We don’t have to learn things the hard way, and knowing what to do is effortless when it becomes second nature to you.

The Right Tools for Embroidery.

We begin with the right tools. Needles, thread, hoops, and things are an investment, and since you're on the path to becoming an embroidery artist learning about your tools is a step in the right direction. 

The questions listed below are the ones I covered in the first class of my beginner's embroidery course at Tiny Strand Stitchery.

What size embroidery needle should I use?

The most popular hand embroidery needles are needles 7 through 9. However, there is no hard and fast rule as to the needle you use.

I find that knowing your needles is important. Through experience, I've learned that for embroidery to be neat and elegantly finished, the use of thin needles with long eyes works pretty well. These can carry more than one strand of thread when necessary and do not leave noticeable holes in the fabric.

I am not recommending any particular brand of needle at the moment as brands vary worldwide. So, my advice is... shop around and try a variety of needles before figuring out which needles work well for you.

Can I use any kind of fabric in embroidery?

Technically, yes. However, not all fabrics are easy to work on. And that often determines what techniques you can use. Choose the right fabric for the right embroidery technique.

For instance, you cannot put ribbon embroidery on delicate organza fabric. The organza will not support the heavy ribbon techniques and will draw the weave of the fabric together leaving large gaping holes in the finished work. 

Instead, ribbon embroidery will do well on the sturdier types of fabrics like raw silk or raw cotton, cotton, cotton linen blends, or canvas fabric.

Do I have to use an embroidery hoop?

Yes, you could use an embroidery hoop, especially while you learn. However, again there are no rules as to whether you will embroider with or without a hoop. 

Just remember most times, the fabric you choose to use will dictate whether or not you use a hoop.

Many embroidery artists who work on canvas, embroider without hoops; mounting their canvases in frames when they’re done.

However, when working with lighter fabrics a hoop makes it easier to handle the project as the hoop holds the fabric taut and prevents the fabric from drawing together under the tension of the stitches.

When you work without a hoop you will need to take this into consideration and leave a tension in the stitches that’s just right. Being able to accomplish this takes skill and experience.

What can I do if I make a mistake?

Remember, I mentioned that we all make mistakes when we start out, and knowing what to do when you make a mistake will only add to your skill.

It’s fine to start over or remove your needle and pull up a few stitches. 

Your teacher will probably give you a few pointers on what to do if you make a mistake as each teacher has her tips and hacks, that she has perfected along the way. 

Practice will keep you from making too many mistakes; so, keep at it.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes 

• Go easy. Work slowly and carefully. There’s no rush. While you practice you will notice that the time it takes you to work your stitches steadily decreases and you will increase in speed. The more practice (not speed) the less likely you are to make mistakes.

• Choose the right fabric for the project. I cannot stress this enough. Embroidery can indeed be worked on any fabric; however, having the right foundation for the stitches you will create is paramount.

Get to know the fabrics you use; their texture, their pull, their structure… are they tightly or loosely woven? Are they mad of tough fibers or soft ones? Do they need a backing fabric? This will help you choose the right fabric.

• Choose the right embroidery thread. DMC skeins and reels, pearl cotton, 6-strand cotton, silk thread, wool… so many to choose from. So, keep this in mind...

Lightweight thread for lightweight fabric and heavier thread for heavy fabric.

• 
  Choose the right length of thread. This depends on the
  type of thread you are using. Nothing is more annoying than a too-long cotton thread that knots and tangles while you work.

The ideal length for cotton threads is 12 inches while a lightweight thread like silk would be considerably less to avoid fraying and breaking.

• Always pre-wash your fabric and remove the creases. Pre-washing fabric removes starch and other chemicals that will react to environmental conditions over time and fade, tarnish, or wear away the threads of your embroidery.

Removing creases gives you a perfect, smooth canvas to work on and a neat finish.

Remember, some fabrics (linen and pure cotton) need warm ironing while damp; steam irons sometimes just aren’t enough.

• Use a stabilizer. At times, the fabric may not be strong enough to support a particular embroidery technique. Using a backing fabric of the same material or soft iron-on interfacing will stabilize the fabric for your technique.

• Stop pulling the threads too tight. Tight stitches will cause the fabric to pucker and the stitches to look strange. Let your threads sit comfortably on the fabric; not pulling too tight or hanging loosely in place.

Tips to Improve Your Skill

• Practice stitch tension. While practicing your stitch techniques be mindful of how each stitch with a different tension looks. Learn to use the different tensions to achieve different finishes. 

• Overlap your stitches. Depending on what you are trying to sew. Embroidery artists everywhere use this technique to create highly detailed, textured patterns making the finished product look lush and full.

• Use different strand counts. By adjusting the number of threads your needle holds, you can make the same leaf or flower look different even though you’ve used the same stitch.
  
  For instance, leaves in the background of a pattern can be worked in a double strand; while the ones in front can take two or three doubled strands. 

• Play around with colors. Playing with different color combinations helps you move away from your comfortable color pallet and try something different. Develop the art of having fun choosing colors.

I came across wonderful color combination guides on Pinterest that you can save and refer to if you are not yet comfortable with the color choices you make yourself. 

However, my advice is, take the time to play around and learn to find your colors combinations on your own. It will help enhance your skill as an artist.

• Enjoy learning the basics. The basics will help you find your style and come into your own as an artist. My article on Conquering Boring Stitches may help you persevere while you practice.

Whatever, you try, practice it well and know that adding a little detail to your embroidery will make every project pop and pretty soon you will be an accomplished embroidery artist.

Leave a comment below to let me know if this article has helped you gain confidence and share any questions you like answers to.

In my next masterclass, I will discuss Color and how to easily understand color and the color wheel. 

Until next time... Happy Sewing!