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How to begin with embroidery?


J-rap
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Apparently embroidery is a thing now with young adults.  My (college-aged) dd is interested in this, and I'd like to get her something for Christmas, some kind of a beginner's kit.

 

Is it best to start with cross-stitch?

 

Like this...

 

https://www.purlsoho.com/fanny-alexander-themed-cross-stitch-kit.html

 

Or needlepoint, like this...

 

https://www.purlsoho.com/stitcharama-swedish-embroidery-hoop-art-kit.html

 

Or what??

 

She's not very experienced with needles, although she does know some knitting.

 

 

 

 

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I’d start with cross-stitch. Counted cross-stitch kits are fairly simple, even the more complex ones. My first real kit was labeled as advanced. It was much larger than a beginner kit, but still doable. The concept is the same, the advanced kits just take a whole lot longer to finish!

 

I’ve done embroidery like in your example, but had been cross-stitching for many years before I tried that. I think if I hadn’t had any stitching experience, I’d have found the embroidery to be somewhat confusing and difficult, not knowing stitch names, or being used to controlling a needle.

 

I have no real experience with stamped kits, having discarded the only one I tried. 😄

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Aw, I'm happy to hear embroidery is making a comeback.

 

i got started years ago with little kits that had everything. 

 

For crewel embroidery, that was fabric pre-printed with the picture, all the floss, and instructions for the different stitches.  Stores like JoAnn Fabric and AC Moore used to carry them, maybe still do.  You need a hoop or other fabric stretcher.

 

Needlepoint doesn't require a hoop or stretcher bars.

 

I love counted cross stitch the best.  It is easy to learn and you can start out with Aida cloth which is easy to stitch on. (Then go on to linen for finer pieces.)  

 

There are tons of books out there, and iron-on transfer patterns. I embroidered all my jeans in high school (1970s) using iron-on transfers. This looks fun:  Doodle Stitching Transfer Pack (link to Target.com). 

 

I'd go to a fabric or craft store and look around. Also check the magazine area.  Just Cross-Stitch Magazine has a Christmas ornament issue every year.  Ornaments are fun and it can be good to start small. 

 

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I second the suggestion of those printed pillowcases.   My mil has made 3 different sets for our bed and I love them.  And I'm generally not a cute crafty decorating type of person.

 

I have a rather involved cross stitch I've been working on for 16 years.  It has taken so long, because I only work on it  once or twice a year during "vacation" at my in laws house.  It's the only place I have enough free time and nothing else screaming (literally or figuratively) for my attention.     

 

 It has become a running joke with my sil as to when I might just finish it.  ;)    But I find those few inches I do accomplish each year to be very restful for me. 

 

Kits with everything included are a nice way to start out.   

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Here are some fun, modern, not-your-grandmother's-needlework type places.

 

for embroidery:

http://www.cozybluehandmade.com/

https://sublimestitching.com/ (Moomin!) There are also some tutorials here.

 

 

for cross stitch:

http://www.thestrandedstitch.com/

https://subversivecrossstitch.com/blog/

 

Personally, I am not a big fan of cross stitch and find it boring (although the more modern designs make me want to give it another try) and I would probably start her off with embroidery.

 

Here's a kit that combines them both. And, Latin! :)

Edited by bibiche
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Here are some fun, modern, not-your-grandmother's-needlework type places.

 

for embroidery:

http://www.cozybluehandmade.com/

https://sublimestitching.com/ (Moomin!) There are also some tutorials here.

 

 

for cross stitch:

http://www.thestrandedstitch.com/

https://subversivecrossstitch.com/blog/

 

Personally, I am not a big fan of cross stitch and find it boring (although the more modern designs make me want to give it another try) and I would probably start her off with embroidery.

 

Here's a kit that combines them both. And, Latin! :)

These are so cute, I think I could get into embroidery myself!

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