
What You Need
Whether you have a specific plan for your sampler or you’re just randomly exploring, you’ll save time by thinking ahead about the embroidery supplies you’ll need. First up: your pattern. You can buy a sampler pattern or even design your own, like the freeform map sampler from artist Robert Mahar’s class. From there, you’ll want to keep these tips in mind when shopping.Pick Your Fabric
No matter what you’re embroidering, you need to choose a ground fabric that will support your stitches and show them off without being distracting. A medium weight, high thread-count linen is usually the best bet. Because linen is resilient, it’s less likely than cotton or cotton-poly blends to show wear and tear if you do any “reverse stitching,” a.k.a. tearing out a section of stitching. Linen also stands up better to heavy, dense stitches, like long and short stitch.Choose Your Thread
DMC, Anchor floss or perle cotton are a better (if slightly pricier) choice than generic craft threads. The well-respected brands tend to deliver a happier overall experience, and you’ll usually avoid the fraying, knotting, pilling and breaking that can happen with low-quality threads.Grab the Right Needles
For general surface embroidery, crewel needles (also called embroidery needles ) are a must. If you’ll be experimenting with various weights or thicknesses of thread or fabric — like when embroidering on denim — you’ll need to have a few different needle sizes on hand. Also take into account any specialty stitches that might need different needles — bullion knots, for example, call for milliner needles.Decide On a Hoop
Embroidery designs typically look better when you work in a hoop or a frame with the fabric pulled taut, as it helps prevent your material from puckering. If you’re just getting started in embroidery, a simple plastic hoop is all you really need. Another option is a wooden hoop with sturdy hardware, making it easier than ever to tighten that fabric.Top Tips for Samplers

Don’t Let Stitches Scare You
Some stitches are more difficult than others. For instance, there’s a big difference between stitching a backstitch and learning how to pull off the perfect French Knot. But don’t let the more advanced stitches scare you — with patience and practice, you’ll be able to stitch anything.Keep Experimenting
Playing around with stitches is such a fun part of creating your own embroidery sampler. Give yourself tons of leeway to experiment with the sizes, spacing and orientation of stitches, and try out different types of threads to see how they look and behave with various stitches. Ask yourself questions and explore the answers as you go. How does a stitch look when you work it with a single ply of floss? What about with 6-ply? With wool or silk instead of cotton? What will happen if you combine two stitches? What will it look like if you mirror two rows of that particular stitch? How well does a stitch work on a curve? How can I make that stitch turn a corner? Be curious!Be Free

Thanks!
What should I do to get this colourful sampler?
Hello Sylvia,
Thank you for contacting us.
The pattern is available in the class Startup Library: Hand Embroidery: https://www.craftsy.com/class/startup-library-hand-embroidery/
For further information or assistance, please chat, email, or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
Craftsy
Yes please
I’ve read your blog. It was really fantastic and the way you described it is also professional. Will love to read your incoming blogs too, really appreciate your work and dedication.
am trying to improve me stitching as havent done embroidery for many years
I am exited to learn
love embroidery
Love embroidery
thank you for the colored illustration/ embroidery sampler.
to the embroidery realm . thank you for the colored illustration/ embroidery sampler.
Beginner to the embroidery realm .
Love to show my grandkids how it’s done!
would love free sampler
This sounds like such fun!
i would like this an embroidery sample
Just started to embroider
Would like to have free samples so I can learn how to embroidery.
Keen to learn this beautiful skill of embroidery. Thank you for sharing.
I would love to get any free samplers that I could to try to get refreshed on doing embroidery. I am self taught with a little help from my grandmother. Then purchase other projects to do.
Hi I would love to get a free sample to get started
I’d love a free sampler to get started
New embroidery sampler
Hi. I’d love to refresh and relearn embroidery, I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother making my clothes very pretty! Thank you
I see that you have a lot of different types of stitches (The English version, but do anyone of your Instructors have any classes in Chinese Embroidery?!? I would also like to have that free Embroidery Sampler (I haven’t done that in years and I’m out of practice)!?!
I would like to learn more different stitch and beautiful design
I see that you have a lot of different types of stitches (The English version, but do anyone of your Instructors have any classes in Chinese Embroidery?!?
Free embroidery samplers
I can never find contemporary patterns
Need to learn different stitches
Love doing this.
Want to try this sampler. The variety of stitches will maintain my interest
Looks interesting.would try
Something I love to do but haven’t done for years.
I’m paralyzes on one side.bThis gave me incentjve and ideas. Thanks
Thank you for this!
Very helpful and informative.
Looks like a great activity.
That is a beautiful, colorful piece. I would love to do it!
I embroider greeting cards. Tedious work but fun!
I bought the 12 days of Christmas to do with cross-stitch. I think I will end up doing one a year, so as not to get overwhelmed. That will be my sampler!
Sounds fun
Sounds like fun!
Good job
Always wanted to learn how to do counted cross stitch
Started at age 5. Need to get back to it. 82 good time.
very nice!
Like very much
Hand embroidery
Looks interesting
Thanks
Thanks
The sampler is cool and it looks like it would be fun to do!
I love embroidery. I don’t know when or why I stopped doing it. Lately I have wanted to find instructions on what I learned in elementary school. THe teacher called it Swedeish Embroidery. I looked on Amazon and the ratings of the lower priced books were poor and the one the had the highest rating was around $100. Has anyone have any suggestions?
Have you tried your library? Thrift Books is an on line seller of used books with great policies and accurate assessment of the quality of the books they are selling (eg how much wear or underlining that may make the book unacceptable)
Mary, I would try your library. You can call them. I have found them most helpful. If you find a book you like, you can then order one. Hope this helps you.
Maybe what you are looking for is huck weaving. I think I have heard it called that. You can also try Googling it and click on images and see what you find for free.
I have always loved and admired the sampler made by very young ladies so beautiful and technical
Love embroidery
I have been looking for a good sampler pattern.
Love this sampler
I can’t seem to find where I can purchase this sampler. Can someone help me?
It is a course here, https://www.craftsy.com/class/startup-library-hand-embroidery/
..
YOu are awesome
It’s amazing