Stitchery Tutorial Part 2 - Hoops, Needles, Scissors and Threads

This is the second part of the stitchery tutorial that I'm writing as a member of the Poppy Patch Posse. Following on from yesterday's tutorial, this one deals with embroidery hoops, needles, scissors and threads. To hoop or not to hoop - is really personal preference. I was taught to embroider before I could write my name and a wooden embroidery hoop was instilled in me as being essential. To this day, I find it very awkward to hold my fabric without one so have an assortment of sizes to use, depending on the size of the fabric I'm stitching on. My absolute favourite needles for embroidery are Hiroshima Tulip needles (these are like the Rolly Royce of hand sewing needles) and are available in a variety of sizes. The size needle I use depends on the thickness of the embroidery thread that I'm using. My favourite embroidery scissors are these Perfect Scissors by Karen Kay Buckley. They snip right up to the point and the soft handles means they're really comfortabke to use...​

...the project that I'm currently stitching (supplied by Poppy Patch a few weeks ago) uses a skein of Cottage Garden Thread - these are beautiful hand dyed variegated embroidery threads. They are available in a huge range of colours and are beautifully packaged on a card. When the skein is untwisted, it stays on the card as the ends are already cut to size. I'm using a size 7 Tulip embroidery needle for this project. Part 3 of the stitchery tutorial will be shared tomorrow, when I'll talk about the simple embroidery stitches that I'm using for this project and my top tips for pressing my finished piece.
​#poppypatchposse