There have been several of you that have asked me what books I recommend or where I found different patterns. I must admit that all that I learned came from the internet and I have no embroidery books. Doesn’t mean I don’t want them – I just haven’t put the money toward one. So I thought that it would be helpful if I directed you to different sites that I’ve found useful in my quest to learn embroidery.
Why I love it!
I’m not a very experienced embroiderer – actually I just started last fall and fell in love with the craft. I’m usually a skip crafter – you know skip from here to there and back to this other craft – oh and I’ve gotta try that craft.. etc. You know what I mean – but I’ve fallen for embroidery. I like that I don’t have to count – like you do with cross-stitching or knitting. I can create my own patterns by using my doodles or use a multitude of the free patterns out there on the web or even a coloring book. I can do the same pattern in so many different ways by changing the colors and stitches I use. I love that I can just take it anywhere too – very portable crafting! It’s also pretty fast and I like that too – I’m into immediate results J
Get Started!
To get started in embroidery is easy and cheap considering most crafts. Sublime Stitching has a great little article that explains a lot of the new terms you’ll come across and what you’ll need to get started. It’s well written and a great place to start if you aren’t sure what you need.
Patterns!
After you have your supplies – you need a pattern. For beginners, I suggest simple line drawings and patterns. The best way to transfer these are by printing the pattern, tape it to a window, and then put your fabric over it and trace using a transfer pen or pencil. I prefer this method – even with those that you can iron on. The reasoning is that if you don’t stitch exactly over the ironed line it takes a while for it to fade. There are a ton of free resources online for free patterns.
Here are a few:
Sibling Craftery (had to plug that one!)
Homeberries.com (Look for Freebies)
PipStitch (great resource for links to free patterns)
Others that you’ll need to pay for, but are awesome resources:
Follow The White Rabbit (LOVE the Princess & the Pea pattern)
Stitches!
So you have your pattern picked out and transferred, your supplies are standing by – all you need to know is how to stitch. I think that the first stitch you should learn is the back stitch. This can be used to outline anything and doesn’t take too long to master. After you have the back stitch down, you can try other stitches like the blanket stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, lazy daisy stitch, and french knot. Next thing you know you’ll have a great multitude of stitches ready for use.
There are some great resources out there on the web to learn a new stitch. Below are some that I think you’ll find helpful.
Needle N Thread (in video!)
Sublime Stitching (even examples for you Southpaws)
Have Fun!
So there ya go – some resources to get you started in the world of embroidery. Next thing you know you’ll have your family embroidering too! Here’s a pic of my son.
While I was typing this, he’s embroidering a pennant for a made up baseball team for a school project. It’s a donut (their imaginary mascot) for the Dirty Donuts.
I just taught him the backstitch, he drew the design and he’s taken off. I’ll try and post the finished project when he’s done so you can see his work. YAY for manbroidery! 
Keep Kraftin’
Kandra
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