A Beginner’s Guide to Embroidery – Upcycling Without a Sewing Machine

Embroidery is a fantastic way to upcycle and personalize second-hand clothing, making it more valuable and unique for resale. The best part? You don’t need an expensive sewing machine to get started! Whether you want to add delicate floral details or bold statement designs, hand embroidery is a sustainable and accessible craft that anyone can learn. This guide will cover everything you need to know as a beginner, plus a section for those with a sewing machine who want to take their embroidery to the next level.

Why Embroidery?

✅ Increases resale value – Custom embroidery makes pieces one-of-a-kind.
✅ Upcycles old clothing – Refresh plain or damaged garments with decorative stitching.
✅ Low-cost start-up – Requires minimal investment in supplies.
✅ No machine required – Perfect for beginners or those without access to a sewing machine.

Hand Embroidery Basics

What You’ll Need

• Embroidery hoop – Keeps fabric taut for neat stitching.

• Embroidery floss – Comes in a variety of colours; use multiple strands for different thicknesses.

• Needles – Embroidery needles have larger eyes for thicker floss.

• Fabric marker or chalk – Helps sketch out your design.

• Scissors – Small embroidery scissors work best for precision cutting.

• Fabric stabilizer (optional) – Helps keep stitches smooth, especially on stretchy or thin fabrics.

Basic Hand Embroidery Stitches

1️⃣ Running Stitch – The simplest stitch, ideal for outlines and text. 2️⃣ Backstitch – Creates a continuous line, great for detailed designs. 3️⃣ Satin Stitch – Perfect for filling in areas with solid colour. 4️⃣ French Knots – Adds small, textured dots (great for floral designs). 5️⃣ Chain Stitch – A decorative stitch that looks great for borders.

How to Embroider by Hand

1. Prepare the Fabric – Stretch it in an embroidery hoop to keep it stable.

2. Draw Your Design – Use fabric chalk or a water-soluble marker to outline your pattern.

3. Thread the Needle – Use an embroidery needle and separate strands of floss as needed.

4. Start Stitching – Follow your outline using the appropriate stitch.

5. Secure the Thread – Tie off the end of your thread at the back of the fabric to prevent unravelling.

Machine Embroidery for Beginners

For those who have a sewing machine, embroidery can be done using a basic straight stitch foot or a free-motion embroidery foot.

Option 1: Using a Normal Straight Stitch Foot

✅ Best for outlining words or simple patterns.
✅ Works well for monograms or straight-line embroidery.

Steps:

1. Set your machine to a straight stitch with a short stitch length.

2. Draw your design on the fabric using chalk or washable markers.

3. Slowly stitch along the outline, lifting the presser foot as needed to turn the fabric.

4. Secure the stitches by backstitching at the start and end.

Option 2: Using a Free-Motion Embroidery Foot

✅ Best for intricate and freestyle embroidery.
✅ Allows you to move the fabric in any direction for artistic designs.

Steps:

1. Attach a free-motion embroidery foot to your machine.

2. Lower the feed dogs so you can manually move the fabric.

3. Hold the fabric taut and move it in smooth motions while stitching.

4. Use different thread colours for more creative effects.

Final Thoughts – Start Embroidering Today!

Embroidery is an affordable and creative way to upcycle clothing, whether you choose hand embroidery or machine embroidery. Adding unique designs to plain sweatshirts, thrifted denim, or second-hand t-shirts can make them stand out on resale platforms like Depop, Vinted, and eBay.