Hand Embroidery for Beginners - First Stitches to Completed Design
This beginner embroidery class will teach students essential stitching techniques through step-by-step videos, hands-on practice, and instructor feedback and assistance. Students will build confidence while completing their first piece.
Tina Prestia
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(81)
What's included
13 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
1-2 hours per week. Throughout the 4 week course, students will receive hands-on assignments designed to build their embroidery skills step-by-step. These assignments vary in time and dedication, ranging from quick practice tasks like threading a needle and tying knots to more involved activities like stitching lines, shapes, and a final design.Assessment
Students can request an assessment of their work throughout the course and/ or after completing their final project.Class Experience
Beginner Level
Are you ready to dive into the colorful, creative world of hand embroidery? In this 4 week self-paced class designed specifically for beginners, you'll learn everything you need to start stitching your own beautiful designs. This course will guide you step-by-step from gathering supplies to completing a final project you'll be proud to show off. Over four weeks, you'll master the essentials of hand embroidery through fun, manageable lessons: -Tools and Setup: Discover the must-have materials and optional tools plus how to store them safely. You'll learn how to secure fabric in a hoop, pick and separate floss, ways to thread a needle, and knot your thread like a pro. -Core Stitches: Start with foundational stitches for both outline and fill work. Work your way up to tackling curves, corners, sharp angles, and changing stitch direction with ease. -Design Skills: Explore multiple ways to transfer patterns onto your fabric, including freestyle drawing, tracing, printing, and iron-on techniques. -Problem Solving: Tackle common hiccups like uneven stitches, tangles, or puckering with easy fixes and troubleshooting tricks. -Finishing Touches: Learn to complete your work cleanly, remove it from the hoop, and creative ways to display your pieces. -Self-Care Tips: Embroidery can be addicting! Avoid finger, wrist, and neck strain with simple stretches and posture advice. By the end of the course, you will have completed a stitch sampler piece and a completed design using the stitches and techniques you learned throughout each lesson. Class Structure This 4 week course is fully self-paced, allowing you to take your time and not feel pressured or rushed. You can complete each lesson on your own time (as many times as needed!) Each week will include 3-4 pre-recorded video lessons, released on Mondays, with a total of 13 lessons across the course. Lessons will be delivered through clear, engaging videos where I demonstrate every step. I'll show you exactly how to hold your needle, guide your floss, and perfect your stitches with close-up shots and slow-motion replays for trickier techniques. My teaching style is warm, patient, sometimes a bit silly and playful, but always encouraging. I'm passionate about helping you build confidence while keeping things light and fun. I'll share tips from my own stitching journey, point out what to watch out for (like pesky knots or tangles), and cheer you on throughout the process. Since this course is self-paced, you won't need to attend live sessions - but I'm still here for you! You can connect with me at any time in these ways: -Discussion Board: Post questions, share progress photos, or chat about your stitching journey anytime in our class discussion board and receive a response from me within 24 hours. -Video Responses: For trickier and/ or specific questions (like how to address a specific part of your piece), I'll record a short personalized video to walk you through it. Feedback & Encouragement Unless you request otherwise, I'll offer positive, constructive feedback throughout the course to help you improve and feel great about your progress. I'm here to lift you up and keep you motivated! If you'd rather stitch solo and skip the feedback - that's totally fine. Just let me know and I'll respect your space. Why Take This Class? This course is all about creativity, skill-building, and having fun at your own pace. By the end, you'll have a finished embroidery piece, a toolkit of stitches, and the confidence to keep creating. Embroidery is a relaxing, screen-free hobby you can enjoy anywhere. Let's get stitching!
Learning Goals
Identify and safely use basic embroidery tools including fabric, floss, needles, hoops, and scissors, along with optional tools like needle threaders and needle storage.Students will be able to separate floss strands, thread a needle, and knot thread confidently and easily.
Syllabus
13 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Tools and Materials
An overview of required materials and optional tools will be covered. Students will also learn safe storage practices and organization tips. Lesson 2:
Preparing Materials
Students will gather materials to begin their first practice piece. They will learn how to properly secure fabric in an embroidery hoop and how to pick and separate embroidery floss strands. Various methods of knotting the end of a strand will be covered and how to easily thread the proper size needle. Lesson 3:
First Stitches
Students will learn different methods on starting their first stitch and the pros and cons behind each method.
They will learn and practice stitching straight lines in different stitch styles and how to control stitch length and tension. Lesson 4:
Troubleshooting Basics
Common mistakes and accidents will be covered in this lesson, showing students it's ok to mess up! They will learn different ways to fix misplaced or uneven stitches and how to address tangles and knots in floss. Other Details
Parental Guidance
This course involves the use of sharp tools, including embroidery needles and scissors, which require careful handling to ensure safety.
Parents or guardians are encouraged to assist with setup and monitor safe storage materials to prevent accidents or injuries.
Supply List
To make getting started simple, I can provide an easy Amazon shopping list upon request that includes all of the required materials so you can purchase everything needed with just a few clicks. Learners will need the following: Fabric - plain cotton or cotton-blend fabric (muslin, quilting cotton) in a light color (white, beige, or pastel). Avoid stretchy or thick fabrics like polyester, knits, or denim. Students will need two pieces measuring at least 8x8 inches. Embroidery floss - A variety of colors of the student's choosing. Floss must be 6-strand embroidery floss (each standard skein typically consists of 6 strands and measures 8 meters/ 8.7 yards - enough for practice and the final project). Needles - Embroidery needles in sizes 5-9 (a pack with assorted sizes is ideal). Embroidery needles have larger eyes for threading floss and sharp points for piercing fabric. Scissors - Small, sharp scissors (embroidery or craft scissors) for cutting floss and trimming threads. Embroidery hoop - One 6 inch embroidery hoop. Wooden or plastic is fine and up to the student's preference. Pencil or fabric pen - For drawing or tracing designs onto the fabric. A regular pencil will work just fine, but for cleaner results, a water-soluble pen may be preferred. Optional materials These items are not necessary but can make stitching easier or more enjoyable. Thimble - A metal or leather thimble may be useful for sensitive fingers or for students who are nervous/ afraid of getting any accidental pokes or if their fingers become sore while stitching. Needle threader - A small wire tool that will help easily pull floss through the needle's eye Floss Organizer - Cut out pieces of cardboard, a small box, or even ziplock bags are useful for keeping floss skeins untangled and organized. Seam ripper - A small tool for safely undoing stitches Pincushion or magnet - An enormously helpful option for safely securing needles when not in use These items can be purchased from big chain craft stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.) or local needlework shops. Amazon also has a wide variety of choices and carries all of the materials you need, conveniently delivered straight to you in a matter of days. If you have any questions or would like suggestions on any of the materials listed above, please don't hesitate to ask!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2020
4.9
81reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
As a lower elementary teacher with additional years of experience working with middle school students, I'm skilled at connecting with kids of all ages, from young learners to pre-teens and teens.
My patient, supportive style helps nervous or anxious students feel at ease, meeting them where they are rather than pushing rigid standards.
As a mother to a teenager myself, I love relating to and spending time with older kids, not just young ones, bringing a relatable, encouraging vibe to the class.
I've been stitching since childhood and adore hand embroidery, often spending several hours a day on intricate black-work pieces where I craft find details with monocolor and negative space.
I'm thrilled to teach you the endless possibilities within hand embroidery!Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$9
weekly13 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Ages: 10-16
