Hand embroidery
Compared honestly. No paid placements.
One of the most accessible crafts to start — a hoop, a needle, and a few skeins of thread is all you need. Beautiful results from your very first session.
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Why embroidery
A craft anyone can start
💷 Low startup cost
A complete starter kit costs £8–£20. No expensive equipment, no studio, no ongoing fees.
📦 Portable
Pack a hoop, a few threads and a needle. Embroider anywhere — trains, sofas, gardens.
✅ Quick wins
Basic stitches are learnable in one sitting. You'll finish your first hoop art in 3–6 hours.
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Where to start with embroidery
Embroidery for beginners
Starter kits, what to buy first, and the fastest path to your first finished piece.
Start here
Essential stitches
8 stitches with step-by-step instructions — from running stitch to French knots.
Read guide
Cross stitch for beginners
Aida fabric, counted charts explained, and the 3 stitches you actually need.
Read guide
Embroidery workshops & online courses
In-person classes and video courses — all materials included for workshops.
0 of 0 courses
Punch Needle Embroidery Workshop
Punch Needle Embroidery Workshop in London. From £65–£70. Rated 5/5 (60 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
Beginners' Embroidery Workshop
Beginners' Embroidery Workshop in Edinburgh. Rated 5/5 (50 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Workshop
Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Workshop across the UK. Rated 5/5 (47 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
Sashiko Hand-stitching Workshop
Sashiko Hand-stitching Workshop across the UK. Rated 5/5 (27 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
3D and Sculptural Embroidery Workshop
3D and Sculptural Embroidery Workshop in Bristol. Rated 5/5 (26 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
Free-motion Embroidery Class
Free-motion Embroidery Class across the UK. Rated 5/5 (26 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
Texture and Detail Embroidery Workshop
Texture and Detail Embroidery Workshop in Bristol. Rated 5/5 (26 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
The Art of Paper Embroidery - Coastal Workshop
The Art of Paper Embroidery - Coastal Workshop across the UK. Rated 5/5 (24 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
The Art of Paper Embroidery - Flower Head Collage Workshop
The Art of Paper Embroidery - Flower Head Collage Workshop across the UK. Rated 5/5 (24 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
The Art of Paper Embroidery - on the Shoreline Workshop
The Art of Paper Embroidery - on the Shoreline Workshop across the UK. Rated 5/5 (24 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
Coastal Paper Embroidery with Watercolour - Workshop Project Pack
Coastal Paper Embroidery with Watercolour - Workshop Project Pack across the UK. Rated 5/5 (24 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
Beginner Embroidery Class
Beginner Embroidery Class in Bristol. Rated 5/5 (21 reviews). Bookable on ClassBento — money-back guarantee.
* Prices shown are the lowest available at time of writing. We earn a small commission if you book via our links — at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure →
Learn the basics
The six stitches every beginner needs
Running stitch
The foundation — a dashed line used for outlines and filling.
Backstitch
Solid, continuous line — best for outlines and text.
Satin stitch
Fills shapes with smooth, parallel stitches. Takes practice to keep even.
French knot
Tiny raised dots — used for flower centres, eyes, texture fills.
Stem stitch
Twisted line stitch — excellent for flower stems and curved outlines.
Lazy daisy
Loop stitches arranged in a circle to form petals — quick and distinctive.
Good to know
What to buy to get started
Option 1 — Buy a kit (easiest)
A beginner embroidery kit (£8–£20) includes hoop, fabric with a printed or stamped design, thread selection, and needle. Hobbycraft and Amazon have decent starter kits. Good if you want to start immediately without decisions.
Option 2 — Assemble yourself
- Wooden embroidery hoop, 15–20cm — £3–£6
- Embroidery needles (size 7–9) — £2
- Cotton fabric or Aida cloth — £3–£5 per metre
- DMC stranded cotton, 6–8 colours — £6–£16
- Total: ~£14–£29
Embroidery
FAQs
Everything you need to know before you book.
Is embroidery hard to learn as a beginner?
What do I need to start embroidery?
What is the difference between embroidery and cross stitch?
Can I learn embroidery from an online course?
How long does it take to finish an embroidery project?
From the blog
All articles →
Embroidery
Best Embroidery Projects for Gifts
Six beginner-friendly embroidered gift ideas — each frameable or wearable, with specific kit and floss picks.
Embroidery
Can I Teach Myself Embroidery?
Yes, easily. Embroidery is arguably the most beginner-friendly craft to self-teach, because every stitch is visible as you make it and there's no comp
Embroidery
How Long Does It Take to Learn Embroidery?
A realistic timeline from your first running stitch to a frame-ready botanical hoop — plus what affects how fast embroidery sticks.
Learn online
Learn embroidery from £7.99
Domestika has structured beginner courses with close-up video that shows every stitch clearly. Lifetime access, no subscription.