- Needles: embroidery (crewel) needles for general work, tapestry needles (blunt tip, large eye) for counted-thread work like cross-stitch, and chenille needles for heavier fabrics.
- Hoops and frames: embroidery hoops hold fabric taut while stitching; scroll frames let you roll large projects to work on one section at a time.
- Fabric: Aida cloth (gridded, popular for cross-stitch), evenweave fabric for counted-thread techniques, and linen or cotton for general hand embroidery.
- Threads: embroidery floss (six-strand cotton) is the most common; perle cotton adds a glossy, raised texture; silk and metallic threads add shine.
- Scissors: small, sharp embroidery scissors for precise thread cutting, plus separate fabric scissors.
- Marking tools: water-soluble pens, air-erasable pens, chalk pencils, and iron-on transfer pens for getting a design onto fabric.
- Thimbles and needle threaders: a thimble protects the finger when pushing a needle through thick fabric; a needle threader helps thread fine needles.
- Stabilizers: tear-away (temporary), cut-away (permanent), and water-soluble stabilizers, used to prevent fabric from puckering while stitching.
Having the right tools makes embroidery more enjoyable and helps ensure a high-quality finished project.
