How to Start Hand Embroidery as a Beginner | Lavender Cottage Designs
How to Start Hand Embroidery as a Beginner
If you've ever watched someone embroider and thought I'd love to try that, this post is for you. Hand embroidery is one of those crafts that looks impressively intricate but is genuinely accessible once you know where to begin. All it takes is a needle, some thread, a piece of fabric — and a little patience with yourself.
I'm Tracy, the designer behind Lavender Cottage Designs, and I create hand embroidery kits inspired by the natural world — wildflowers, seedheads, country walks, and the small beautiful things that make up everyday life in the UK. I've put together this guide to help you take your very first stitches with confidence.
What do you need to get started?
The good news is that embroidery requires very little kit. Here's what you'll need:
An embroidery hoop — This holds your fabric taut while you stitch and makes everything much easier to control. A 6, 7 or 8 inch wooden hoop is perfect for most beginner projects and widely available in craft shops.
Embroidery thread — DMC stranded cotton is the go-to choice for most embroiderers. It comes in hundreds of colours, is widely available, and is a joy to work with. Each skein is made up of six strands — most stitches use two or three strands at a time.
A needle — You'll want an embroidery or crewel needle, which has a slightly larger eye to thread easily. A size 7 or 8 is a good starting point.
Fabric — Linen or cotton are the most beginner-friendly choices. Linen in particular has a lovely texture and takes stitches beautifully.
A design to follow — This is where a good kit really earns its place. Having a design already printed onto your fabric means you can focus entirely on the stitching rather than worrying about transferring a pattern.
Which stitches should a beginner learn first?
You don't need to know dozens of stitches to create something beautiful. Start with these four and you'll be able to stitch a huge range of designs:
Straight stitch — The simplest stitch of all. Bring your needle up through the fabric and back down to make a single straight line. Use it for grass, stems, and fine details.
Stem stitch — A slightly overlapping stitch that creates a smooth, rope-like line. Perfect for flower stems, outlines, and lettering.
Satin stitch — Parallel straight stitches worked closely together to fill a shape with smooth, shiny coverage. Brilliant for petals and leaves.
French knots — A tiny raised knot that adds wonderful texture. They take a little practice but are so satisfying once you get the knack — wonderful for flower centres and berries.
All of the Lavender Cottage Designs kits include a full illustrated stitch guide, so you'll have clear instructions for every stitch you need right there in the kit.
Do you need any experience to start?
Honestly? Very little. If you've never picked up a needle before, I'd suggest watching a short YouTube video on threading a needle and making a basic stitch just to get the feel of it. But most people find they're stitching away quite happily within the first ten minutes.
Our kits are designed for confident beginners — people who are new to embroidery or coming back to it after a break and want a beautiful, satisfying project rather than a frustrating one. The designs are detailed enough to be engaging, but broken down clearly so you always know what to do next.
Why a kit is a lovely way to begin
Starting with a well-designed kit takes all the guesswork out of your first project. Everything is chosen for you — the fabric, the threads, the design — so you can simply sit down and stitch.
Our kits at Lavender Cottage Designs include a pre-printed linen panel, all the DMC threads you need, a needle, and a full stitch guide. The designs are nature-inspired — think Yorkshire Dales landscapes, alliums and seedheads, and a very cheerful dog walk scene that proved rather popular with spaniel owners.
You can browse the full collection at lavendercottagedesigns.com.
A few tips to help you enjoy the process
- Work in good light. Natural daylight is ideal, but a good craft lamp makes a big difference in the evenings.
- Don't pull your stitches too tight. Let the thread lie gently on the fabric for the neatest finish.
- Keep your lengths short. Work with about 30–40cm of thread at a time to avoid tangles and knots.
- Be kind to yourself. Every embroiderer unpicks stitches occasionally — it's part of the process, not a sign you're doing it wrong.
- Enjoy the slowness. Embroidery is a genuinely restful craft. There's something lovely about sitting quietly with a needle and thread and watching a design come to life, stitch by stitch.
Ready to pick up a needle?
If this has inspired you to give hand embroidery a try, I'd love for you to explore the Lavender Cottage Designs collection. Each kit is made with care and designed to give you a beautiful finished piece you'll be proud to display or gift.
Have a question before you buy? Take a look at our FAQ page or drop me an email at info@lavendercottagedesigns.com — I'm always happy to help.
Happy stitching! 🌿
Tracy