Tle (Tools and materials

• Needles


  Come in various sizes, lengths, shaft thickness, eye shapes and are either pointed or blunt tipped. Needles are sized by number and the bigger the number, the smaller or finer the needle. Select a needle that opens up a large enough hole in the fabric to allow the thread to easily pass through.
• Kinds of embroidery needles


  • Crewel needles
  • Chenille needles
  • Tapestry needles

  
• Crewel needles


  Sharp, pointed, with fairly large eyes, making them easy to thread. Suitable for most types of embroidery on fine or medium threads.

  
• Chenille needles


  Sharp, pointed, but are longer in size and thicker with large eyes. Suitable for embroidery on fabric with heavy threads.

  
• Tapestry needles


  Blunt tipped instead of sharp. Used for embroidery on evenweave fabrics and for canvas work.

  
• Threads


  Sold in spools, balls, cones, and skeins. Soft, shiny, loosely wound, and of different colors; usually coded with numbers and color names.

  
• Surface embroidery


  • Entices you to stitch with a variety of threads and fibers. Choosing the thread that best suits your project is part of the creative process and often depends on the fabric you will be stitching on and the depth and texture you're looking for in your embroidery.

  
• DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss


  One of the most versatile threads for embroidery. Comprises 6 easily separated strands, allowing you to adjust the thickness of your stitching by using a different number of strands.

  
• DMC Pearl Cotton


  Easy to work with and appropriate for use on a wide variety of fabrics and all types of embroidery. Finely twisted non-divisible thread that has a supple silky feel that gives your embroidery a shiny, raised texture and lustrous finish. Available in sizes 3, 5, 8 and 12, with size 5 being the most popular and commonly used.

  
• DMC Color Variations


  A collection of "over dyed" threads beautifully designed to create subtle variations in color without having to change threads. Each skein has a blend of soft multi-colors that flow seamlessly into one another along the length of the thread.

  
• DMC Light Effects


  Created to add light and reflective qualities to your design. 6-strand glistening threads that are the perfect specialty thread for highlights and decorative sparkles.
• DMC Satin Floss


  A silky 6-strand floss that adds exceptional beauty and sheen to embroidery. Lustrous threads that glide easily through fabrics and come in a vibrant range of colors.

  
• 1. Strand Embroidery Floss


  An embroidery floss made up of 6 strands of loosely twisted thread. The most common style of floss is the 6-strand mercerized cotton embroidery floss, which has been processed to give the cotton strength, luster, and the ability to better hold onto dye.

  
• Embroidery Hoop


  A wood or plastic hoop used to hold fabric taut while embroidering. Each hoop is sized by the hoop diameter (i.e. 8" or 10") and has an inner ring, outer ring, and a closure to secure the hoops and fabric in place.

  
• How to use an Embroidery Hoop


  Loosen the screw or nut on the outer embroidery hoop and separate the inner and outer rings. 2. Place the inner ring on a flat surface, place your fabric over it, then put the outer ring over the fabric and press until the bottom ring is snug inside the outer ring. Tug the corners of the fabric slightly to make the fabric taut. 3. Tighten the nut or screw securely.

  
• Embroidery Scissors


  A small, high quality pair of scissors with a sharp point.
• Stiletto


  A long and rounded tool used to make a hole into the cloth for embroidering eyelets. Made of metal, wood, or plastic.
• Thimble


  A cap-like object made of plastic or metal that is worn over the finger to protect it from being pricked by the needle or pin when embroidering.
• Pincushion


  A small cushion, typically 3-5 cm across, which is used in sewing to store pins or needles with their heads protruding so as to take hold of them easily, collect them, and keep them organized.
• Embroidery Marker


  Used for drawing designs on fabric.
• Embroidery Transfer Pencil


  Used for hot-iron transfer designs.
• Needle Threader


  Makes threading the needle easier.
• Masking Tape


  Used to bind edges of fabric to prevent raveling.
• Dressmaker's Carbon Paper


  Used to transfer designs to cloth.
• Fabrics used for embroidery


  • Aida fabric
  • Evenweave fabric
  • Hardanger fabric
  • Cotton or linen canvas
  • Plain fabrics
  • Quilting weight cotton

  
• Aida fabric


  Evenly woven usually from cotton with a specific number of squares to the inch (2.5 cm), called the "count." The weaves form a pattern of regular squares and tiny holes, making it easy to do regular stitches.

  
• Evenweave fabric


  Woven with a specific number of threads rather than squares to the inch (2.5 cm) again called "count." Count range from 18 (coarse) through to 36 (very fine). Available in cotton, linen, and various blended fibers and a wide range of colors. Can be used for all types of counted thread embroidery, and finer counts may also be used for free style embroidery.

  
• Hardanger fabric


  Similar to Aida fabric, but 20-22 or 24 counts are the usual sizes for Hardanger work. White, cream, and a range of soft colors are available.
• Cotton or linen canvas


  Woven with a specific number of threads or sometimes pair of threads to the inch (2.5 cm). The "gauge" or "mesh count" of canvas is the number of holes per inch (2.5 cm). Normally woven from strong cotton or linen, either white or natural, and stitching usually covers the canvas completely.
• Plain fabrics


  Normally used for freestyle embroidery, when the design is stitched without reference to the woven surface. Choose fairly smooth, non-stretch woven fabrics in natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or silk, along with a suitable weight of thread and size of needle.
• Quilting weight cotton


  A tightly woven fabric with a vertical and horizontal weave or grain lines. Can come in solid colors, plaids or printed patterns.