How Long Does Embroidery Really Take?

How long does embroidery really take? Let me be honest with you, it takes a long time. Probably longer than you think. You might look at a small hoop and think, “That won’t take long at all,” only to realise hours later that you’re nowhere near finished.

If you’ve ever wondered how long embroidery really takes, the honest answer is: it depends. In this post we will talk exactly why your embroidery might be taking longer than expected

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Why Embroidery Takes Longer Than People Expect

Hand Embroidery is a craft that is made to be completed slowly. Machine embroidery is a hole lot of a heck faster but has a completely different finish.

Each stitch involves:

Bringing the needle up through the fabric
Positioning the stitch carefully
Pulling the thread through
Repeating this hundreds (or thousands) of times

That time adds up quickly

The Biggest Factors That Affect Embroidery Time

No two embroidery projects take the same amount of time. Several key factors determine how long a piece will take.

Size of the Design

This is the most obvious factor.

Small projects naturally take less time
Large hoops or dense designs take way longer obvisouly

Even an extra inch of stitching area can add hours to a project.

Stitch Type Used

Some stitches are fast; others are very time-consuming.

Faster stitches include:

Running stitch
Back stitch
Stem stitch

Slower stitches include:

Satin stitch
French knots
Long and short stitch

Designs with lots of filled areas will always take longer than line-only designs.

Number of Colours

Each colour change slows a project down.

More colours mean:

Stopping and starting threads
Re-threading needles
Securing ends more often

Simple, limited palettes are much faster to complete.

Fabric Choice

Fabric does matter

Tightly woven fabrics can be harder to stitch through
Slippery fabrics slow you down
Fabric that grips the thread well feels easier to work with

Beginner-friendly fabrics often speed things up, try use cotton fabric

Skill Level and Experience

Beginners naturally stitch more slowly.

This is completely normal.

As you gain experience:

Your movements become faster
You spend less time correcting mistakes
Your stitch tension improves and you become more fluid in your movements

What takes a beginner 10 hours may take a pro 4–5 hours.

Realistic Embroidery Time Examples

Here are some rough, honest estimates to help set expectations.

Small Design (3–4 inch hoop, line work)

Beginner: 4–8 hours
Intermediate: 2–4 hours

Medium Design (5–6 inch hoop, mixed stitches)

Beginner: 10–20 hours
Intermediate: 6–10 hours

Large or Detailed Design (8+ inch hoop, filled areas)

Beginner: 25–40+ hours
Intermediate: 15–25 hours

Remember take breaks, and work through it slowly, no need to rush

Is Slow Embroidery a Bad Thing?

Not at all.

Many people love embroidery because it’s slow. It encourages:

Mindfulness
Focus
Relaxation
Creativity

If speed is your main goal, hand embroidery may not be for you, a faster embroidery type such as machine embroidery might be better suited

Tips to Finish Embroidery Faster (If You Want To)

If you’re short on time, a few small choices can help.

Choose line-based designs
Limit colour palettes
Use fewer strands for smoother stitching
Work in short, consistent sessions
Avoid overly detailed patterns as a beginner

Final Thoughts

Embroidery takes time, patience, and repetition. That’s just the way the craft is.

Choose projects you’ll actually finish
Enjoy the process instead of rushing it

How Long Does Embroidery Really Take?

Why Embroidery Takes Longer Than People Expect