50+ Must-Have Embroidery Supplies for Beginners
If you’re new to embroidery (or you’ve been stitching for years like me), having the right supplies honestly makes the biggest difference. The right hoop, the right needle, and even the right scissors can completely change how enjoyable your project feels.
I put together this huge list of 50 must-have embroidery essentials for 2025. This list is ideal for all levels of embroiderers, even if you are an expert you might just find a tool you haven’t heard about. Lets get started!
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🧵 Embroidery Hoops (10 Essentials)
1. Basic Wooden Embroidery Hoop
A classic hoop that works for almost any project and is perfect for beginners. The best set available here.
2. Premium Bamboo Hoop
Stronger and smoother than standard wood, giving you better fabric tension. Bamboo is stronger and more sturdier, give it a go
3. Plastic No-Slip Hoop
Ideal for newbies — the fabric won’t budge while you stitch. Plastic is the most durable out of all hoops.
4. Flexi Silicone Hoop
Pretty and practical — great for display pieces too.
5. Oval Embroidery Hoop
Lovely for lettering or more modern designs. Get it here
6. Square Embroidery Hoop
Keeps fabric evenly stretched for neat, geometric stitching. Find it here.
7. Mini Hoops for Ornaments
Perfect for earrings, keychains, and personalised Christmas decorations. These mini hoops are seriously cute and handy.
8. Large Embroidery Hoops
Great when you need more space for bigger designs. Bigger is better in this case, find larger hoops here
9. Hoop Stand / Lap Stand
A total game-changer for comfort and posture. Honestly wish I got my one sooner.
10. Clamp Stand
Holds your hoop steady so you can stitch hands-free. This isn’t a stand alone stand, but works just as well. Find it here.
✂️ Embroidery Needles (6 Types)
11. Embroidery Needles (Sizes 3–9)
A versatile set that suits most threads and fabrics. Embroidery Needles in different sizes is so important, find the ones I recommend here.
12. Tapestry Needles
Perfect for cross-stitch and loose-weave fabrics. I love these ones.
13. Crewel Needles
Made for traditional embroidery with thicker threads. If you are embroidering with wool or thicking threads, these are the right ones for you.
14. Gold-Eye Needles
Smooth and snag-free for delicate floss. You can’t go wrong with these ones.
15. Self-Threading Needles
Perfect if you struggle threading tiny needles. These needles are actually a game-changer! Try it out! I use these ones
16. Needle Sampler Kit
Allows you to test and find your favorite styles. If you are not sure what to get, get this kit which has a little bit of everything!
🌈 Embroidery Thread & Floss
17. DMC Cotton Floss Bulk Pack
Soft, vibrant, colourfast — the classic choice. DMC is the best embroidery floss brand out there, get a bulk pack here.
18. Variegated Thread
Adds beautiful gradient automatically. This embroidery floss is absolutely stunning, how could anyone say no?!
19. Metallic Thread
For sparkly accents and festive designs. A little trickier to embroider with, but I promise its worth it in the end.
20. Pearl Cotton Thread
Thicker, shinier and great for texture.
21. Pastel Thread Bundle
Perfect for florals and baby projects. Pastels never go out of style, get your pastel thread fix here.
22. Earth-Tone Thread Bundle
Great for botanical or cottage core themes. These muted tones are stunning.
23. Neon or Bright Thread Bundle
Perfect for bold and modern designs. These ones are neon and gradient in design and color, I found them here
24. Black & White Basics Pack
Essential for outlining and contrast. Its always handy to have an overstock of these colors! You will go through these ones quick!
25. Bobbin Winder + Bobbins
Keeps your floss neatly wrapped and organised. Trust me, it’s a lot more helpful than you think.
26. Floss Organiser Case
Makes finding colors quick and easy. I use to store more flosses in a plastic zip lock bag, this method is far superior.
🧵 Embroidery Fabrics
27. Cotton Fabric Squares
Soft and beginner-friendly. No going wrong with Cotton
28. Linen Fabric
High-quality and textured for heirloom projects.
29. Muslin Fabric
Affordable and great for practice.
30. Calico Fabric
Clean, simple cotton for minimal designs.
31. Evenweave Fabric
Perfect for precise stitching.
32. Aida Cloth
Great for cross-stitch or structured work.
33. Dark Fabric
Makes bright and metallic threads pop.
34. Pre-Cut Fabric Bundles
Convenient and ready to use.
🖊️ Transfer & Marking Tools
35. Heat-Erasable Pens
Erase your design with a warm iron. At the end of your embroiery project, you will be ironing, so these heat erasable pens just make sense. Get them here
36. Water-Soluble Markers
Lines rinse out easily. I love these markers to be honest, source them here.
37. Dressmaker’s Carbon Paper
Transfers designs onto most fabrics. Find this here
38. Lightbox
Makes pattern tracing quick and effortless. Purchase it here
39. Transfer Paper Sheets
40. Chalk Pencils
Perfect for dark fabrics.
41. Iron-On Transfer Pens
Lets you draw and transfer your own designs.
✂️ Cutting Tools
42. Small Embroidery Scissors
Sharp little blades for clean trimming. These are the exact ones I have.
43. Thread Snips
Fast and easy one-handed trimming. I find these easier to snip with than scissors
44. Curved-Tip Scissors
Lets you cut close without damage. Used more commonly in nail care, https://amzn.to/44gNDGZbut works great in embroidery too!
45. Fabric-Only Scissors
Keep them sharp by using them ONLY on fabric.
🧰 Comfort & Extras
46. Needle Minder
A magnetic holder so your needle never disappears. This is a cute one
47. Thimble or Leather Finger Protector
Saves your fingers during long sessions.
48. Embroidery Stand / Frame Holder
Reduces hand strain and keeps fabric tight. Find it here
49. Mini Iron
Great for quick pressing and finishing. Get your own cute one here
50. Embroidery Project Bags
Keeps your WIPs clean and organised. Find it here.
51. Portable Craft Organizer
Perfect for holding tools, floss, and hoops. Find it here
52. Hoop Backing Felt
Makes your finished hoop art look professional. Find it here.
53. Anti-Fray Fabric Glue
Stops edges from unravelling. Find it here
54. Stitch Ripper
A lifesaver for fixing mistakes quickly. Get yours here
⭐ Final Thoughts
Setting yourself up with the right embroidery supplies makes stitching easier, smoother, and so much more fun. I use so many of these tools every week, and upgrading even one thing (like scissors or hoops) can make a huge difference.
