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.
Explore
Where to start with embroidery
Embroidery workshops & online courses
In-person classes and video courses — all materials included for workshops.
0 of 0 courses
Contemporary Embroidery for Beginners
The calmest, most complete beginner embroidery course we've tested. Adriana Torres takes you from your first stitch to a frame-worthy botanical hoop, with clear demonstrations of back stitch, satin stitch, stem stitch and French knots.
Embroidery Sampler for Beginners
A warmer, subscription-based alternative. Mollie Johanson walks beginners through a stitch sampler, building a reusable reference of core stitches one row at a time. Our close-second embroidery pick.
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.
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.
Set on cross stitch specifically? See our cross stitch kits buyer's guide — counted vs stamped, and the best kits for beginners, kids and gifts.
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
What you can make
Project ideas to make at home, from beginner to ambitious.
Hoop art
A finished design displayed in its own hoop.
Sampler
A practice piece showing off a range of stitches.
Monogram
Stitched initials to personalise linens or gifts.
Iron-on patches
Small motifs to fix onto jackets and bags.
Framed piece
A larger artwork mounted and framed for the wall.
Embellished clothing
Hand-stitched details added to shirts and denim.
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 — every stitch is visible as you make it, with no complex equipment.
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
Best ways to learn embroidery
Embroidery is a learn-at-home craft — a hoop, needle and threads plus a self-paced online class are all you need.
Learn at home
Self-paced online classes — pick up a hoop and follow along.
Cheap to start
A hoop, needle and threads — a starter kit is £8–£20.
Beginner to advanced
From running stitch and backstitch to thread painting.