Essential Embroidery Supplies: Complete Guide to Getting Started

Wondering what supplies you need for embroidery? 

At StitchDoodles, we help you gather all the things you need for hand embroidery. This is great for beginners or for those who want to add more to their collection. Our embroidery supplies include premium hoops, needles, and threads, as well as printed fabric, transfer pens, and full kits, all selected to make your stitching experience enjoyable and easy.

Explore our shop to find everything you need in one place and start your next hand embroidery project with confidence.

Hand embroidery accessories and supplies list

  • Embroidery Hoops – keeps your fabric taut for smooth, even stitches
  • Embroidery Needles – sharp needles with larger eyes for threading floss easily
  • Embroidery Floss & Threads – available in a wide range of colors for beautiful designs
  • Printed Fabric / Cotton Fabric – plain or pre-printed fabric to stitch your design onto
  • Fabric Marking Pens / Transfer Tools – such as erasable pens for transferring patterns
  • Scissors – small, sharp embroidery scissors for neat thread cutting
  • Embroidery Kits – all-in-one sets with fabric, thread, needles, and instructions
  • Needle Threader & Storage – handy tools to keep stitching simple and organized

With these embroidery supplies, you’ll have everything you need to begin creating beautiful handmade designs.

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Thread Organiser Card Set

Thread Organiser Card Set – Keep Embroidery Floss Neat, Tidy & Tangle-Free Keep your embroidery threads neat, tidy, and tangle-free with our beautifully designed Thread Organiser Card Set. Perfect for managing multiple colours during a project, these durable cards offer a simple, effective way to store and sort your floss with ease. Each card includes labelled spaces so you can note down shade numbers or names, making it easy to stay organised as you stitch. Whether you're working on a small hoop or a large design, these holders help you keep track of your threads and avoid those frustrating knots. Crafted with stitchers in mind, this set is a must-have for anyone who loves to keep their workspace as beautiful as their creations. You’ll receive 4 exclusive Stitchdoodles Floss Cards, each thoughtfully designed to hold up to 5 different threads. Each section provides enough space to wind over 8 metres of thread, helping you stay organised without tangles or knots. There’s also ample room beside each slot to note down thread numbers or names, so you can easily identify and switch between colours while you stitch. Each card features a unique slit that securely holds your working thread in place while you stitch — preventing it from unravelling and keeping everything neat between sessions. There’s also plenty of room beside each slot to note down thread numbers or names, so you can quickly identify each shade at a glance. A perfect companion for any embroidery project — practical, tidy, and made with stitchers in mind. Ideal for keeping your project threads neat, tidy, and ready to go! Note: Threads show not included.

John James Embroidery Needles – Precision Tools for Detailed Needlework

John James Embroidery Needles – Precision Tools for Detailed Needlework Bring your embroidery projects to life with the trusted quality of John James Embroidery Needles. Crafted in the UK with generations of needle-making expertise, these premium needles are designed for precision, comfort, and durability—making them a favorite among hand-stitching enthusiasts worldwide. Each needle features a sharp point for easy fabric penetration and a long eye to accommodate embroidery floss or multiple strands of thread. Whether you're working on fine detail or broad patterns, John James needles provide superior control and smooth stitching through various fabrics. Ideal for hand embroidery, crewel work, and decorative stitching, these needles are a must-have for both beginners and experienced crafters seeking professional results. Key Features: Sharp tip for clean, accurate stitching through fabric Long eye for easy threading with embroidery floss High-quality nickel-plated steel for strength and longevity Smooth finish minimizes snags and hand fatigue Available in multiple sizes for different embroidery techniques Trusted British craftsmanship from a heritage brand 16 Needles per pack Whether you’re working on cotton, linen, or even delicate fabrics, John James Embroidery Needles offer the reliability and precision needed to complete your designs beautifully. Shop now and experience the difference with John James – the name crafters trust for embroidery excellence.

Needle size

Tulip: Tapestry Needles Assorted Sizes

Tulip Tapestry Needles – Premium Needles for Smooth, Effortless Stitching Craft your needlework projects with precision and ease using Tulip Tapestry Needles – the gold standard for embroidery, cross-stitch, and needlepoint. Made in Hiroshima, Japan, these high-quality needles are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, smooth finish, and durable construction. Featuring a blunt tip and a large eye, Tulip Tapestry Needles glide effortlessly through fabric and canvas without splitting threads. The polished, nickel-plated surface ensures minimal friction, reducing hand fatigue and delivering a more enjoyable stitching experience. Whether you're working with wool, embroidery floss, or cotton threads, Tulip’s needles offer excellent control and accuracy—ideal for beginners and seasoned crafters alike. Key Features: Blunt tip for safe, easy weaving through fabrics Large eye for easy threading, even with multiple strands Durable and flexible steel resists bending and breaking Smooth, polished finish for effortless stitching Hand-crafted in Japan for consistent quality and performance Comes in a compact, needle-safe tube for organized storage Perfect for cross-stitch, tapestry, embroidery, and more, Tulip Tapestry Needles combine beauty and functionality, making them a must-have in every crafter’s toolkit. Buy now to elevate your hand-stitching projects with the premium quality of Tulip! Each pack comes with 6 Assorted Size Needles stored in the cutest container.

Aurifil Multi Coloured Italian 100% Cotton Threads

Aurifil Multi Coloured Gorgeousness These are so much fun to stitch with and the colours are wonderful to reveal as you stitch along. I have chosen 2 of my favourites for you to choose from - colours 3817 and 4648 - make your choice from the drop down menu. These are perfect to use for a variety of Stitchdoodles Patterns. Aurifil Thread is made in Milan Italy from 100% cotton from the Mako region of Egypt, this thread delivers exceptional strength, smooth performance, and minimal lint.  Loved by sewists, embroiderers, quilters and crafters alike, Aurifil thread ensures clean, precise results on every project.  Aurifil Embroidery Floss is 6 stranded and comes on a beautiful wooden spool. Each spool holds: 18 yards | 16 meters of thread 100% Egyptian Cotton

Multicolour

Embroidery Hoop Back Discs – The Perfect Finish for Your Embroidery

Embroidery Hoop Back Discs – The Perfect Finish for Your Embroidery Tired of messy hoop backs? We've got your back covered! These clever wooden backing discs are the solution you’ve been looking for. They provide a clean and polished look to your embroidery projects, ensuring that the back of your work is just as beautiful as the front. Made from high-quality wood, these discs are lightweight yet sturdy, making them easy to handle while providing the support your embroidery needs. Using embroidery hoop back discs is simple. After you’ve completed your stitching, just place the disc over the back of your work before securing it in the hoop. This not only hides any loose threads but also protects your stitches from dust and damage. Plus, they come in various sizes to fit different hoop dimensions, so you can find the perfect match for your project. Whether you’re creating a gift, decorating your home, or simply enjoying a relaxing hobby, these back discs add a professional touch to your embroidery. They are also a great way to showcase your creativity, allowing you to personalize your pieces even further. So, if you want to elevate your embroidery game and ensure a neat finish, consider adding these embroidery hoop back discs to your crafting supplies. You’ll be amazed at the difference they make! Craftsmen carefully make these to give your embroidery a nice finish. They are easy to use and make the back of your hoop look as good as the front. Crafted from durable plywood, they are ideal for adding that extra special touch to handmade gifts. Once secured, they neatly conceal threads, protect your stitches, and ensure your hoop sits beautifully flush against the wall when displayed. Each hoop back comes with a pre-drilled hole, making it easy to hang your Stitchdoodles masterpiece on the wall for a beautiful display. We’ve added plenty of blank space. This is perfect for writing a personal message or noting the date you finished your project. It adds a special finishing touch. Give your hoop art the finish it truly deserves. Designed specifically to fit the Nurge wooden hoops. (please note: they might fit other hoops but we cannot guarantee this). All sizes are approximate. 6 inches - Fits a No.3 Nurge Wooden Hoop  (hoop back 148mm diameter circle in 4mm Plywood) 7 inches - Fits a No.4 Nurge Wooden Hoop  (hoop back 178mm diameter circle in 4mm Plywood) 8 inches - Fits a No.5 Nurge Wooden Hoop  (hoop back 208mm diameter circle in 4mm Plywood)

Choose a Hoop Back

Nurge Round Flexi Embroidery Hoops

The Nurge Round Flexi Embroidery Hoop provides a wonderful way to display your embroidery These flexi embroidery hoops are high quality with a beautiful wood effect color making them the ideal way to display all your lovely embroidered creations. Complete with a pretty clasp so you can hang on the wall with ease. Key Features: ✔️ Flexible Construction: Adjusts easily for different fabric thicknesses, providing even tension. ✔️ Ergonomic Design: Smooth, rounded edges for comfort and reduced hand strain. ✔️ Durable and Lightweight: Strong plastic construction for lasting use with minimal weight. ✔️ Versatile Use: Ideal for embroidery, cross-stitch, and other needlework projects. ✔️ Modern Look: Sleek design that complements any creative space. Embroidery Hoop Sizes 5.3" (13.5cm) - inner diameter 4.4"6.5" (17cm) - inner diameter 5.8"8" (20.5cm) - inner diameter 7.2"9.4" (24.5cm) - inner diameter 8.6"

Flexi Hoop Size

Elbesee Embroidery Seat Stand with 3 embroidery hoops

Elbesee Embroidery Seat Stand with 3 embroidery hoops, high quality wood effect base with polished hard wood attachments, hand embroidery hoop frame This hoop embroidery stand is a high quality item and manufactured by Elbesee in the UK.Suitable for Embroidery, Tapestry or Cross Stitch - the Elbesse hoop embroidery stand is designed to be placed under your leg whilst sitting down. (either between your legs or to the side to allow both your hands to be free).The stand is easy to assemble and the clamp will hold Hoops from 75mm (3”) to 300mm (12”) or frames up to 300mm x 230mm (12” x 9”). It fits a Plastic Square Nurge Hoop No. 3 and No. 4 as well.The clamp can be adjusted up or down for you to find the perfect stitching angle, plus you can also flip it up and over 180 degrees so that you can access the back of the project easily.This model has a wood effect base with a polished hardwood stem. It comes with 3 hoops each attached to their own clamp so they can be easily slotted in to the stem and are ready to stitch.Size of the hoops are 6, 8 and 10 inch and are all 20mm deep. Wonderful quality for stitching in.The stem attachments are available to purchase separately if you want to also use it for a different hoop such as the Nurge plastic square No. 3 or 4.Light weight and easily portable so you can take your stitching with you on the go!Hoop / frame not included.

Nurge Embroidery Hoops - Square Plastic Hoops

Nurge Embroidery Hoops – Square Plastic Hoops, are renowned for quality and these square plastic hoops made by them are no exception They are skilfully designed and manufactured to exacting standards and are easy to use providing fantastic tension throughout the stitching process.They suit Stitchdoodles designs perfectly as the 10.5 x 11 inch is sized perfectly for all the square 8 inch samplers such as Walk in the Woods, Birds, Bugs and Berries to name just a couple. I was really excited when I found these as I know not everyone enjoys or wants to use the stretcher bar frames. These frames allow you access to the whole of the design so no need to remove from the frame until your stitching is complete. As seen on HobbyMaker TV a couple of Kits we produced for Nurge now available as Stitchdoodle kits. Please Note: the kits shown in the video our not the current Stitchdoodles kits you will receive, you will receive the beautifully branded Stitchdoodles Kit. Embroidery Hoop Sizes I have 2 sizes available chosen for the Stitchdoodles most popular pattern sizes, select accordingly.Nurge Embroidery Hoops - Square Plastic Hoops  measurements given here are of the inside of the space available for stitching...No. 3 = 8 x 9 inchesNo. 4 = 10 x 11.5 inches (this is the one you want for the larger stitchdoodles patterns)There is a post on the Stitchdoodles Blog with more info about these fabulous hoops.

Size

Nurge Embroidery Hoops are a wonderful high quality hoop

Nurge Embroidery Hoops are a wonderful high quality hoop Manufactured from beech, they are skilfully designed and manufactured to exacting standards. The inner and outer parts are polished after grinding making them lovely and soft.Here at Stitchdoodles, I have 4 popular sizes available which are all 8mm thickness. The Nurge hoops are sized slightly differently to general hoops available and are numbered. I have sized them to the nearest inches so you can select accordingly. This is approximate as they size slightly larger than other hoops. Embroidery Hoop Sizes No. 2 = 5 inchesNo. 3 = 6 inchesNo. 4 = 7 inchesNo.5 =  8 inches Nurge Embroidery Hoops are a wonderful high quality hoops hold your fabric tight for stitching and due to the wonderful smooth quality they make a great quality frame for your finished design.

Size

100% Cotton Fabric for Hand Embroidery, choice of beautiful colours

100% Cotton Fabric – Ideal for Hand Embroidery This high-quality embroidery cotton fabric is the perfect base for your stitching projects. With a soft lilac tone and smooth weave, it provides excellent support for detailed stitches while keeping your work looking neat and professional. Whether you’re creating your own embroidered cotton fabric designs or using pre-printed embroidery patterns, this fabric is versatile, durable, and easy to work with. Its fine weave makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced stitchers who want precision and quality in every project. ✔️ 100% cotton fabric in a soft lilac chambray finish✔️ Ideal for hand embroidery, cross stitch, and decorative stitching✔️ Smooth texture for neat stitches and long-lasting results✔️ Pre-cut sizes available for convenience This cotton fabric for embroidery is an essential addition to any stitcher’s toolkit—perfect for seasonal projects, gifts, or adding beautiful handmade touches to your home décor. We currently only stock IVORY  ✔️  The fabric is cut to size making it more cost effective for your individual projects...✔️  Choose either a 12 inch square or 15 inch square - perfectly sized for all Stitchdoodles designs.✔️  Choose your size by clicking the relevant buttons.✔️  100% Cotton, 155gsm Perfect for small projects and one off hand embroidery designs when you don't want to purchase excess fabric that you won't use.

Size

Pilot Frixion Pen – Erasable Hand Embroidery Transfer Pen

Pilot Frixion Pen – Erasable Hand Embroidery Transfer Pen (Blue) Make pattern transferring simple and precise with the Pilot Frixion embroidery pen—a must-have tool for every stitcher. This erasable transfer pen writes smoothly on both cotton and linen, leaving clean, fine lines that are easy to stitch over without being too thick or faint. What makes the Frixion Pen especially useful for hand embroidery is its heat-sensitive ink. Once your stitching is complete, simply apply heat (such as ironing or using a hairdryer) and the lines disappear—leaving your finished embroidery neat and professional. Special Offer: Get a free refill with every pen while stock lasts! ✔️ Smooth writing on cotton and linen✔️ Perfect line thickness for embroidery stitching✔️ Erasable ink – remove lines with heat✔️ Includes 1 Pilot Frixion embroidery pen (blue) Whether you’re transferring a detailed embroidery pattern or marking fabric for a quick project, this embroidery transfer pen is an essential addition to your stitching toolkit. Visit the Stitchdoodles blog for lots of information on hand embroidery transfer techniques. How to use the embroidery pen: Trace the pattern on to your fabric with the Frixion Pen, Hand Embroidery Transfer Pen for embroidery Then stitch over the lines. Once the stitching is complete you can run a warm iron over the back of the embroidered piece to erase the lines.

Elbesee Wooden Embroidery Hoops - various sizes available

Elbesee Wooden Embroidery Hoops - Various sizes available These hoops are made in the UK from close-grain beech wood, polished with beeswax and have smooth radius edges.These embroidery hoops will hold your work nice and tight when you stitch and are great quality at an affordable price.(Much cheaper hoops tend not to hold your fabric tight enough as you stitch and this makes a huge difference to the quality of your stitching). Available in 4 sizes: Elbesee Wooden Embroidery Hoops - various sizes available: 5 inch, 6 inch, 7 inch, 8 inch Use the drop down menu to select the correct size.

Hoop Size