Easy Things to Embroider (Even If You’re a Total Beginner)

I still remember my first embroidered piece—a messy 4-inch hoop with wobbly flowers and thread that kept knotting. It was honestly pretty ugly. But when I held it in my hand, I felt like I’d just performed actual magic.

That’s exactly what I want you to feel. Not pressure to be perfect, but pure joy that you made that.

If you’re scrolling Pinterest at 2 AM thinking “I want to embroider something but where the heck do I even start?”—this is for you.

The Beginner Projects That Actually Get Finished

Here’s what works: start small, start stupid simple, and start with something you genuinely love.

Embroidered Hoop Art (The Gateway Drug)

Grab a 4-inch hoop, some thread, and a scrap of cotton fabric. Embroider whatever makes you happy—flowers, your dog’s face, a dumb pun. The hoop holds everything tight, makes your stitches look neat, and you’ll finish in an afternoon. Frame it. Boom. Instant win.

Embroidered Pillowcase (Your Pillow Gets Fancy)

A simple corner design on a plain white pillowcase is chef’s kiss. Use a running stitch or backstitch. Keep it small (like 3 inches). When it’s done, you actually use it every night. That never gets old.

Embroidered Tote Bag (Wear Your Work)

Take a plain canvas bag and add a small design on the front. Your initials, a plant, whatever. Canvas is forgiving, sturdy, and when people compliment your bag, you get to say “oh this? I made it.” Feels amazing.

Denim Jacket Pocket

Seriously, denim is the most beginner-friendly fabric ever. Mistakes look intentional. Add a tiny design to the pocket, cuff, or collar. Done. You look cool now.

The Honest Truth About Combining Appliqué & Embroidery

People always ask me: “Can I use both?” YES. And honestly? It’s easier than doing just embroidery.

Cut a shape from fabric (that’s your appliqué). Stitch it down. Then embroider details on top. Like, cut a fabric flower, stitch it to your background, then add embroidered stitches in the center. You get the clean look of appliqué plus the texture of embroidery. It’s literally the best of both worlds.

The Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To

Bad fabric = sad stitches. Use medium-weight cotton or linen. Skip the discount bin bargains and stretchy knits. Good fabric feels solid in your hands. Trust that feeling.

Cheap thread is torture. DMC or Anchor thread costs like 50 cents a skein. Cheap thread breaks, frays, and makes you want to throw your hoop across the room. Just spend the money. You’re already investing hours—spend three extra dollars on thread.

Stabilizer is your secret weapon. Put tear-away stabilizer behind your fabric. Seriously. Without it, your fabric puckers like a raisin. With it, your stitches look professional. Takes 30 seconds. Changes everything.

Don’t wing it. Sketch your design first. Transfer it to fabric with a pencil or water-soluble pen. Takes 10 minutes. Saves you from ripping out halfway through and cursing my name.

What You Actually Need (Spoiler: Not Much)

• One embroidery needle
• One pack of thread (literally one)
• One 4-inch hoop
• Scrap of cotton fabric
• Scissors

Total: $20. That’s it. You don’t need a machine, fancy hoops, or Pinterest’s entire spring collection.

After your first project, you’ll know what you want next. Then you buy it. This is how you avoid a craft closet full of stuff you never use.

Pick A Project That Makes You Happy

This is literally the secret nobody talks about: if you don’t care about the project, you won’t finish it.

Don’t embroider because it’s “beginner-friendly.” Embroider because you actually want to see it happen. Love plants? Stitch a monstera. Love your cat? Embroider her face on a pillowcase (yes, really). Love bad jokes? Put a ridiculous pun on a tote bag.

Your genuine excitement is what carries you through the annoying parts. There will be annoying parts. Your love for the project gets you through.

Quick Answers to Your Actual Questions