Embroidery - Where to start?

[BizzieLizzie]

I was rummaging through a craft drawer this morning and found a lovely A-Z book of embroidery stitches from decades ago when Mum first taught me how to thread a needle. I haven't touched embroidery for aeons and want to try the stitches but have no idea what fabric, thread and needles to use.

I'm not keen on kits that you buy from the shops - I'm thinking more along the lines of drawing my own designs onto the fabric. What sort of pen should I use for that? Also, I want to create my own starter kit with different types of fabric, thread and needles. What would you ladies suggest I buy for my 'starter kit'?

Also, are there any good embroidery websites in addition to Mary Corbett's Needle 'n' Thread?

[carolanne]

If this isn't too simple or too late. How about stitching on flour sack towels or simple muslin. Perhaps you have something more elegant in mind.

[calico]

I have played around with some embroidery but haven't done too much so I can't offer a whole lot of advice. Mary Corbett's sight is the best for tutorials, no doubt! I do know you need to use a sharp needle as opposed to a blunt tapestry needle like with cross stitching. As far as fabric, I do believe you can stitch on anything and everything from silk to denim. You may need to use some type of stabilizer for thinner or stretchier fabrics.
I wanted to mainly stitch on flour sack towels like the ones my grandma used to make and for those I bought some vintage Aunt Martha's Hot Iron Transfers. You could make your own by using a water soluble pen from the fabric store.

A really fun website that I have ordered patterns from and have learned some tips from is
http://www.sublimestitching.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank

Here's some photos of the 2 projects I've done http://www.flickr.com/photos/calico67/s ... 788881880/" target="_blank

[ayna]

Hi Liz,

Why not try a medium calico - obtainable locally I believe. Or, depending on your tastes you could do a sampler on a fine canvas or congress cloth. I have some of the latter if you want to have a look before attempting to buy.

Ann

[bookknurd]

I am also interested in trying out embroidery. I will be using some 40ct linen, I think, though that's for a specific project.

[pattiebelle]

Back in the day ... (like the 70's), I just grabbed one of my husband's blue chambry shirts, drew on the back with a ball point pen, inserted a hoop, and started stitching. Of course, I was clueless, but I had alot of fun, and DH ( of that era) really liked what I had done, and wore his shirt proudly.

[Serinde]

You can embroider on almost anything. Calico, twill of any sort, pillowcases... i've recently bought some 50ct Kingston to work on. Sharp needles -- 7s and 8s, I've found useful. Any fibre you care to mention, and of course, wool.

I really had my eyes opened working on James Watt -- hadn't done any "embroidery" for ages, and I so enjoyed surface stitching. Mary Corbett's website is wonderful. Also pintangle.com and stitchingfingers.com. Have a look and be amazed.

[gparr]

This might be of interest:

http://www.needlenthread.com/2013/07/fr ... nline.html" target="_blank

If you want to learn to embroider, as Calico said, Mary Corbet is the place to start. She is absolutely amazing.

Gary