Embroidery, the ancient art of decorating fabrics with various kinds of thread or yarn to create a beautiful material, is a craft that many people still love and have a gift for today. To learn how to embroider requires only some basic sewing skills and good instructions.

One of the attractions of the art of embroidery is that it does not require specialized or expensive materials. In fact, most embroidery stitches can be created using any fabric, yarn and a needle. However, to achieve results that are designed to appear in a specific way, you will need to invest in a couple of items that lend themselves to embroidery and particularly to the stitches you wish to create to accomplish those results.

The term embroidery covers several types such as tapestry, needlepoint, hardanger, counted cross stitch and freehand embroidery. All of these types use the same elements of fabric, yarn, needle and stitching. However, there are different techniques and materials involved in making each of these finished creations. The designs, materials and tools required are discussed on this page. With a little practice and patience, you will create little works of art in no time.

Before starting off on the exciting path of learning how to embroider, you might want to consider equipping yourself with a few basics tools. You will find over time that you will increase these materials to match your choice of embroidery type. Some basic tools that you could acquire might include:

1. Fine Embroidery Scissors: Small scissors that allow easy "snipping" of thread.
2. Embroidery Needles (also known as crewel needles): Have points that are slightly less sharp than standard sewing needles to allow accurate "pointing" through woven materials. They have a selection of sizes 1 through 10. http://www.craftstylish.com/item/2405/know-your-hand-sewing-needles
3. Embroidery Silks (also known as embroidery floss): These are a 6 strand colored yarn that can be split down to one strand. Using two strands together is common and depending on the stitch or effect you want to perform, threads can be mixed in combinations of colors or used as a single color in any ply from 1 thread to all 6.
4. Openweave Fabric: You will need something light with an obvious visible weave for your first attempt at embroidery stitches. An Aida fabric is ideal for this purpose and will make it easier to create a uniform set of stitches because you can visibly count the threads between them. A few 10x10 inch pieces will be enough for your initial practice.

With some basic tools in place, you are now ready to attempt your first simple stitches. A good basic stitch to try first is the running stitch. This will give you a feel for the needle, thread and fabric while allowing you to judge the distance between where you push the needle up through the fabric and where you re-enter the fabric to create one stitch.

Taking this a step further, a good second stitch to practice would be the backstitch. This stitch will help you judge stitch length and distance. Also, it demonstrates how to stitch "back" to achieve a continuous line.

A much favored embroidery type is counted cross stitch which, using only one principle, can achieve very pleasing results. So, practicing cross stitch would seem the next natural step in the progression of learning how to embroider.

Once you have mastered these basic embroidery stitches, you will have the confidence needed to tackle more complicated stitches. Some other common stitches are listed below:

• Whipped Running Stitch
• Couch Stitch
• Outline Stitch
• Daisy Stitch
• Chain Stitch

• Starting and Finishing Threads
• Avoiding unsightly knots in any embroidery is essential. They will spoil the finished look. If the finished work is mounted, it will show through on the front of your work as small mounds. This can be avoided by starting each stitching thread correctly as follows:

1. Push the threaded needle up through the material, pulling it through to the front.
2. Leave a couple of inches of thread remaining at the back of your work.
3. Subsequent stitches are then used to "catch" the loose thread at the back. If you practice this when learning new stitches, it will become second nature in a short time.

Finishing a stitching thread is done in much the same way by ensuring a sufficient piece of yarn is caught in previous stitches at the back. Simply, take the needle to the back of the work at the end of your final stitch and weave or tuck under the backs of previous stitches. Then, snip off the thread close to the work with your scissors.

• Starting and Finishing a Project
• Always decide a starting point from which you can work outward. For example, if you choose to work from the center, you should work outward in one direction. Never jump about all over the fabric as this is open to miscounting errors which can lead to unnecessary picking out of incorrectly placed stitches.

Always ensure you have clean hands that are free from grease. Any deposit on the fabric will spoil the finished piece. Try to work in a clean environment (no kids' crayons around, don't work near an open fire, don’t smoke). When you are not working on your embroidery, keep it in a clean plastic bag (sealable if possible).

When you have completed your piece, you will want to mount it or display it in some way. Washing the finished project is sometimes recommended but ensure that the yarns you have used won’t run when wet. Wash by hand in a mild, gentle soap. When drying, lay flat on an open mesh or absorbent surface. You may wish to iron your finished work into shape. This is best done when almost dry (slightly damp) using a very low heat iron and working with care.