Wide varieties of Tools and Materials used for Embroidery

The tools and materials are the raw materials used for the embroidery. There are wide varieties of tools and materials available in the market which can be used for embroidery and they are selected depending upon the type of the embroidery work. The embroidery materials that you select for the embroidery to a great extent affects the quality of the embroidery work done using those materials and so has to be selected wisely. 

Tools used for embroidery

Embroidery Threads

Embroidery threads are available in different colors, thicknesses, and can also be made up of different fibres. They are sometimes twisted and used as one thread and sometimes single strands of threads are used. When the thread has many strands, single strand is separated and used. 

Cotton Threads

There are various types of cotton threads. They are

• Cotton thread where six strands of threads are loosely twisted together. Single strand or two strands are separated from them and used for embroidery.
• Lustrous two ply thread which cannot be separated and so is used as such.
• Thick and matt finished 5 ply thread which is used for embroidery on heavy fabrics.
• Tightly twisted thread soft, fine and with less lustrous finish.

Silk Threads

Pure silk thread is used which is available in wide varieties of colors, the strands of which can be separated and used like the cotton threads. This must be dry cleaned and is not as easy to work as cotton threads. 

Fabric

Fabric quality plays an important role in the quality of the embroidery work done on it. The fabric is selected according to the style of the embroidery chosen. 

Needles

There are embroidery needles available in different sizes and types. Different types of needles are used for different styles of the embroidery. Different types of needles include

• Long eyed needles
• Round eye needles
• Tapestry needles
• Poker etc.

Scissors

The scissors are used to cut the fabric and to trim the threads. There are different types of scissors such as 

• Dress makers scissors
• Small pointed scissors
• Pointed scissors etc. 

Trimmer

Trimmer is used to trim the excess threads.

Embroidery Frames

Embroidery frame is used to hold the fabric tight in place to facilitate embroidery. Embroidery frames can be wooden or plastic which are called hoops. There are square and rectangle frames too. 

Threader

A threader is used to thread a needle. 

Thimble

A thimble is used to protect the finger during embroidery. 

Unpicker

This is used to undo mistakes during embroidery. 

Other tools are also used such as

• Tracing paper to trace the design on to the fabric
• Board kin
• Zigzag scissors
• Glue to stick sticking stones on the fabric in stone work.
• Ruler, pencil etc if required.

There are lots of books about embroidery designs and patterns and lots of designs are available in internet too from which the designs can be taken. You can use your creativity to design you own embroidery patterns too. Once you have got all the materials and tools ready for embroidery trace the pattern on to the fabric using tracing sheet; fix the fabric on to the embroidery frame; thread the needle and start with the embroidery. Though it is tiring at the beginning it comes through practice. 

Wide Varieties of Materials used for the Embroidery

• Stones including plastic and glass stones
• Crystals
• Zardosi
• Zari
• Kora
• Beads
• Sequins
• Pearls
• Precious stones and semi precious stones
• Gotta
• Mirrors including plastic and glass
• Ribbon for ribbon embroidery etc

In my other posts i will write in detail about various types of embroidery work done using the above mentioned materials.