How do you embroider by hand?

I have seen websites that show how to do stitches, but how do I make an entire design? For example, my cousin used a machine to embroider initials and it was beautiful, but my grandmother insisted she could do better “in her day” by hand…however she has arthritis and can no longer do it, let alone teach me. Also, I live in a small area, there aren’t classes to take so that isn’t reasonable. Any basic suggestions or instructions would be lovely

Begin with small things with larger stitches.

The major forms of hand-embroidery can be grouped into free-style and counted-thread.

Counted thread is done on relatively coarse fabric (ideally with the equal warp & woof counts). It can be done from charts or designs may be applied directly to the fabric and counted-stitching used for the design. One very simple method of beginning to learn this is to use a pale gingham check for an easy-to-see grid (no smaller than 5 squares/inch for learning). Shirt to other fabrics and finer counts with experience. I done counted work on handkerchief linen when I need to do so.

Ask for the assistance of the Reference Librarian at your library. There may be helpful instructional manuals there for free-style embroidery. If ILL (Inter-Library Loan) is available, the world’s at your fingertips. There’s also the Internet. Search [embroidery how-to] or [embroidery instructions stitches] etc.

Hand embroidery – Beadwork Fashion

Global Elements Hand Embroidered Floral Handbag – Shoulder Bag $40 Global Elements-Floral Embroidered Silk Handbag

Global Elements Hand Embroidered Bamboo On Silk Handbag – Tote $31.2 Global Elements-Embroidered Bamboo on Silk Handbag (w/ wood shell inlay handle)

Rafe New York Angela Hand Embroidered Seed Bead Flap – Shoulder Bag $395 Finalize your evening look with the outstanding silhouette of the Rafe New York Angela Hand Embroidered Seed Bead Flap Clutch

Big Buddha Sierra – Turquoise $42.4 Big Buddha-Hand-embroidered clutch

Global Elements Floral Mini Bag – Tote $44.8 Global Elements-Hand Embroidered Floral Silk Handbag

Big Buddha Harmony – Tote $76 Big Buddha-Hand-embroidered double handle Tote

Ed Hardy Josh Embroidered Panther Backpack – Black $39.99 The  Ed Hardy Josh Embroidered Panther Backpack – Black  is perfect for Back to School or that Trendy kid that wants to look Hot and Fashionable.Front features embroidered panther  tattoo. Zip pockets for plenty of storage and addtitional Pen compartment

Jesselli Couture Large Embroidered Tote $161.6 Jesselli Couture-Large embroidered tote with interior zip top pouch

Ed Hardy Josh Embroidered Tiger Backpack – Black $39.99 The  Ed Hardy Josh Embroidered Tiger Backpack – Black  is perfect for Back to School or that Trendy kid that wants to look Hot and Fashionable. Front features embroidered tiger tattoo.  Two Zip pockets for plenty of storage and addtit

Jesselli Couture Small Embroidered Tote – Fuschia $156 Jesselli Couture Small Embroidered Tote – Fuschia

Moyna Handbags Embroidered Evening Bag – Clutch $91.2 Moyna Handbags Embroidered Evening Bag – Black

Jesselli Couture Small Embroidered Tote – Yellow $156 Jesselli Couture Small Embroidered Tote – Yellow

Loungefly Embroidered Sugar Skull Wallet – Black $28 Loungefly Embroidered Sugar Skull Wallet – Black

Moyna Handbags Burlap Beaded and Embroidered Wristlet – Clutch $59.2 Moyna Handbags Burlap Beaded and Embroidered Wristlet

Jesselli Couture Small Embroidered Tote – White/Black $156 Jesselli Couture Small Embroidered Tote – White/Black

Moyna Handbags Embroidered Shoulder Bag – Shoulder Bag $91.2 Moyna Handbags Embroidered Shoulder Bag – Red

Moyna Handbags Embroidered Velvet Bag – Shoulder Bag $98.4 Moyna Handbags Embroidered Velvet Bag – Black

Moyna Handbags Burlap Beaded and Embroidered Bag – Clutch $85.6 Moyna Handbags Burlap Beaded and Embroidered Bag

Fossil Vintage Reissue Embroidered Clutch – Multi $75 Fossil Vintage Reissue Embroidered Clutch – Multi

Fossil Vintage Re-issue Embroidered Coin – Multi $40 Fossil Vintage Re-issue Embroidered Coin – Multi

Moyna Handbags Large Embroidered Velvet Bag – Clutch $120.8 Moyna Handbags Large Embroidered Velvet Bag

Fossil Vintage Reissue Embroidered Flap – Cross Body $198 Fossil Vintage Reissue Embroidered Flap – Multi

Fossil Vintage Re-issue Embroidered Weekender – Tote $278 Fossil Vintage Re-issue Embroidered Weekender – Multi

Ralph Lauren Womens Embroidered Tank Top Size 12 $119.98 Blue transparent silk with embroidered floral designs. Drawstring at the bottom. 100% silk.

Ralph Lauren Womens Embroidered Tank Top Size 4 $119.98 Blue transparent silk with embroidered floral designs. Drawstring at the bottom. 100% silk.

Ralph Lauren Womens Embroidered Tank Top Size 6 $119.98 Blue transparent silk with embroidered floral designs. Drawstring at the bottom. 100% silk.

Ralph Lauren Womens Embroidered Tank Top Size 8 $119.98 Blue transparent silk with embroidered floral designs. Drawstring at the bottom. 100% silk.

Ralph Lauren Womens Embroidered Tank Top Size 10 $119.98 Blue transparent silk with embroidered floral designs. Drawstring at the bottom. 100% silk.

Ed Hardy Girls Embroidered Pocket Leggings – Black $29.99 The Ed Hardy Girls Embroidered Tiger Leggings is comfy leggings for your stylish little girl .  It features 2 front pockets  and 2 back pockets with tiger tattoo embroidery. This leggings features a body comforting fi

Ed Hardy Mens Embroidered Track Jacket – Red $39.99 The Ed Hardy Mens Embroidered Track Jacket is is a  cool  jacket from Ed Hardy  Collection.  It features orignal graphic at front and back front zipper  Mock neck two side zip pocket  and

Ed Hardy Mens Embroidered Track Jacket – White $39.99 The Ed Hardy Mens Embroidered Track Jacket is is a  cool  jacket from Ed Hardy  Collection.  It features orignal graphic at front and back front zipper  Mock neck two side zip pocket  and

Ed Hardy Basic Born Free Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camo $34 Ed Hardy Basic Born Free Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camo Designers Imports

Ed Hardy Josh Embroidered Special Ops Bulldog Backpack – Black $39.99 The  Ed Hardy Josh Embroidered Special Ops Bulldog Backpack – Black  is perfect for Back to School or that Trendy kid that wants to look Hot and Fashionable. Front features embroidered tiger tattoo.  Zip pockets for plenty of storage

Ed Hardy Embroidered All Over Men’s Crew Socks $12.99 This super stylish Ed Hardy Embroidered All Over Crew Sock  will make you never want to wear anything else again. Its from the Men’s Crew Sock collection and features the vibrant Embroidered All Over graphics. Features Don Ed Har

Moyna Handbags Handloom Silk Ikat Embroidered Bag – Cross Body $103.2 Moyna Handbags Handloom Silk Ikat Embroidered Bag

Moyna Handbags Handloom Silk Ikat Embroidered Bag – Clutch $73.6 Moyna Handbags Handloom Silk Ikat Embroidered Bag

Moyna Handbags Handloom Silk Ikat Embroidered Bag – Shoulder Bag $94.4 Moyna Handbags Handloom Silk Ikat Embroidered Bag

Moyna Handbags Handloom Silk Ikat Embroidered Bag – Tote $101.6 Moyna Handbags Handloom Silk Ikat Embroidered Bag

Ed Hardy Josh Embroidered American Eagle Backpack – Navy $29.99 The  Ed Hardy Josh Embroidered American Eagle Backpack – Navy  is perfect for Back to School or that Trendy kid that wants to look hot and  fashionable Front features embroidered American Eagle tattoo. Side De

Ed Hardy Basic Battle Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camo $34 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Battle Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camo created with a mesh back and features a skull  tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed text graphics w

Ed Hardy Gradient Dragon Embroidered Mesh Cap-Purple $26 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Gradient Dragon Embroidered Mesh Cap-Purple created with a mesh back and features a Diving Dragon tattoo on gradient baground  embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has

Ed Hardy Basic Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Brown $26 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Brown created with a mesh back and front features a Tiger tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed text graphics with the words &#34

Ed Hardy Basic Koi Embroidered Mesh Cap-Light Blue $26 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Koi  Embroidered Mesh Cap-Light Blue created with a mesh back and front features a Koi tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed text graphics wi

Ed Hardy Basic Dragon Skull Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camo $26 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Dragon Skull Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camoflouge created with a mesh back and front features a Skull Dragon tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has pr

Ed Hardy Womens Beautiful Ghost Rhinestone Embroidered Polo – Purple $39 The Ed Hardy Womens Beautiful Ghost Rhinestoned Embroidered Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt is a quality T-shirt from Ed Hardy’s Sumptuous Collection . Add a little tattoo style to a classic polo with this shirt from Ed Hardy. Tattoo-i

Ed Hardy Womens Koi Rhinestone Embroidered Polo – Gray $39 The Ed Hardy Womens Koi Rhinestoned Embroidered Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt is a quality T-shirt from Ed Hardy’s Sumptuous Collection . Add a little tattoo style to a classic polo with this shirt from Ed Hardy. Tattoo-inspired

Ed Hardy Womens Koi Rhinestone Embroidered Polo – Capri $39 The Ed Hardy Womens Koi Rhinestoned Embroidered Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt is a quality T-shirt from Ed Hardy’s Sumptuous Collection . Add a little tattoo style to a classic polo with this shirt from Ed Hardy. Tattoo-inspired

Ed Hardy Flocking Eagle Embroidered Mesh Cap-Blue $28 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Flocking Eagle Embroidered Mesh Cap-Blue created with a mesh back and features a Eagle tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It Has printed text graphics with the wo

Ed Hardy Rhinestone Platinum Embroidered Mesh Cap-Hot Pink $32 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Rhinestone Platinum  Embroidered Mesh Cap-Hot Pink  created with a mesh back and Front of the hat features colorful embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy. Sparkling rhineston

Ed Hardy Specialty Love Kills Slowly Embroidered Mesh Cap-Bubblegum $28 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Specialty Love Kills Slowly Embroidered Mesh Cap-Bubblegum  created with a mesh back and features a Love Kills Slowly and Rose tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Ha

Ed Hardy Plaid Koi Embroidered Mesh Cap-Black/Gold $34 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Plaid Koi Embroidered Mesh Cap Black/Gold  created with a  mesh back and plaid front which features a koi tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printe

Ed Hardy Plaid Flaming Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Orange $34 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Plaid Flaming Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Orange  created with a  mesh back and plaid front which features a Tiger tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed H

Ed Hardy Basic Dragon Embroidered Mesh Cap-Chocolate $34 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Dragon Embroidered Mesh Cap-Chocolate created with a mesh back and features a Dragon tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed text graphics with th

Ed Hardy Basic Flaming Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Chocolate $34 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Flaming Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Chocolate created with a mesh back and features a Tiger tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed text graphics w

Ed Hardy Basic Skull In Love Embroidered Mesh Cap-Chocolate $34 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Skull In Love Embroidered Mesh Cap-Chocolate created with a mesh back and features a Skull tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed text graph

Ed Hardy Basic NYC Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camo $34 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy NYC Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camo created with a mesh back and features a Skull tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed text graphics with the words " E

Ed Hardy Basic Swords Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camo $34 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Swords Embroidered Mesh Cap-Camo created with a mesh back and features a Swords tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed text graphics with th

Ed Hardy Basic Love Kills Slowly Embroidered Mesh Cap-Yellow $34 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Love Kills Slowly Embroidered Mesh Cap-Yellow created with a mesh back and features a Love Kills Slowly tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has print

Ed Hardy Basic Chain Swords Embroidered Mesh Cap-Fuschia $39.99 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Chain Swords Embroidered Mesh Cap-Fuschia created with a mesh back and features a Sword tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has a Woven chain de

Ed Hardy Basic Chain Skull Embroidered Mesh Cap-Yellow $39.99 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Chain Skull Embroidered Mesh Cap-Yellow created with a mesh back and features a Skull tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has a Woven chain deta

Ed Hardy Basic Chain Ghost Embroidered Mesh Cap-Red $39.99 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Chain Ghost Embroidered Mesh Cap-Red created with a mesh back and features a Ghost tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has a Woven chain detail

Ed Hardy Basic Chain Flaming Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Aqua $39.99 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy   Basic Chain Flaming Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Aqua  created with a mesh back and features a tiger tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has a

Ed Hardy Basic Chain Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Blue $39.99 Update your casual wardrobe with this  Ed Hardy Basic Chain Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Blue created with a mesh back and features a Tiger tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has a Woven chain detail that

Ed Hardy Argyle Skull Flower Embroidered Mesh Cap-Pink $38 Update your casual wardrobe with this    Ed Hardy Argyle Skull Flower Embroidered Mesh Cap-Pink created with a mesh back and features a Skull Flower tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed te

Ed Hardy Argyle Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Brown $38 Update your casual wardrobe with this    Ed Hardy Argyle Tiger Embroidered Mesh Cap-Brown created with a mesh back and features a Tiger tattoo embroidery inspired by tattooist Don Ed Hardy.It also has printed text graphics w