Embroidering With Confidence
When I first picked up a needle and embroidery floss, I’ll be honest—I was intimidated. The hoops, the fancy names for stitches, the endless photos of perfectly embroidered flowers on Instagram... it all felt a little out of reach. But here’s the secret: embroidery doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with just a handful of tools and a few simple stitches, you can create something beautiful.
If you’ve been curious about embroidery but hesitant to start, let’s walk through the essentials together.
Start with the Basics
One of the best things about embroidery is how little you actually need. My first kit was made up of just:
a wooden hoop,
a couple of needles,
a few colors of embroidery floss,
a scrap of cotton fabric,
and tiny scissors that I definitely borrowed from my sewing kit.
That was it. And honestly? It was enough to keep me busy for weeks.
Learning a Few Stitches
I remember sitting down with a YouTube video, clumsily poking my fabric while the instructor effortlessly stitched along. It was humbling—but also strangely fun. What helped me most was focusing on just a few stitches at first:
Backstitch for neat outlines.
Running stitch for simple borders.
Satin stitch for filling in little shapes.
French knots (which I still mess up sometimes, but when they work, they’re magical).
The more I practiced, the less I worried about being perfect. Wobbly lines started to look charming, and suddenly my fabric was full of little flowers, dots, and swirls.
Picking a First Project
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: start small. My first “real” project was just a single daisy on a tea towel. It was quick, it was cute, and most importantly, it made me feel accomplished.
You don’t need to dive into a giant wall hanging or a detailed portrait. A simple word, a little flower, or even a heart can be enough to build your confidence.
Making It Relaxing
The best part of embroidery, at least for me, is how calming it is. I’ll put on a podcast or some music, curl up with my hoop, and let the rhythm of stitching slow me down.
Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
Don’t pull your thread too tight. (Loose and easy wins the race.)
If you mess up, it’s not the end of the world—just snip the thread and try again.
Take breaks. Your eyes and hands will thank you.
Play with colors! Some of my favorite pieces came from grabbing random thread shades and seeing what happens.
Growing With Each Stitch
Embroidery isn’t about being perfect—it’s about enjoying the process. Over time, you’ll naturally get neater stitches, braver designs, and maybe even a little collection of hoops hanging on your wall.
And trust me: every single “perfect” piece you see online started with someone threading their needle for the very first time, just like you.
A Final Word
Embroidery has taught me patience, playfulness, and the joy of making something with my hands. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start—this is it. Grab some fabric, pick a thread color you love, and begin.
Your first stitches might not look perfect, but they’ll be yours—and that’s what makes them special.
