| Although embroidery doesn't have to be an expensive | | | | have a series of holes along the edges to hold |
| hobby, for those of us who get serious about our | | | | individual colors of threads, which you attach using |
| crafting there are certain techniques and equipment | | | | half-hitch knots. |
| which help us embroider faster or fancier. | | | | Thread Organizer. There are many products on the |
| Laying Tools. When you work with multiple plies on a | | | | market for storing and identifying threads you |
| single needle, you'll need to keep the threads parallel, | | | | accumulate. One of the simplest is small individual |
| not twisted, as you stitch. (This is called "laying" the | | | | plastic bags held together on a metal binder ring. |
| thread.) A variety of laying tools will help you achieve | | | | Storage boxes such as those used for hardware and |
| this. The simplest is a large tapestry needle or bodkin. | | | | fishing lurs work well for thread wound on bobbins. On |
| Others specifically designed as laying tools include a | | | | the other end are wooden boxes or chests that |
| stroking tool (also known as a tekobari); one end | | | | resemble fine furniture. |
| resembles an awl or stiletto, and the other end is | | | | Ruler and Tape Measure. Clear plastic rulers calibrated |
| square to prevent it from slipping from your fingers. A | | | | in inches are invaluable and come in a 6" length that fits |
| trolley needle has a point like a tapestry needle affixed | | | | easily into a stitching bag. For measuring a larger area, |
| to a metal band that fits on the end of your finger. | | | | a tape measure is useful and takes up little space. |
| Pincushions. Pincushions are useful for stowing | | | | Thumbtacks and Tack Puller. Use these to attach |
| threaded needles if you must change colors often. | | | | fabric to stretcher bars. (Don't use staples to attach |
| Pincushions come in a variety of sizes and styles; | | | | embroidery fabric; you'll risk pulling one of the fine |
| select one that fits in your stitching bag or basket. | | | | threads and spoiling the appearance of the fabric. |
| Many stitchers like to make their own personalized | | | | Drafting Tape. This tape is less sticky than regular |
| models. | | | | masking tape and helps keep your needlework |
| Many manufactured pincushions come with an emery, | | | | cleaner. Use it for taping the cut edges of your fabric |
| which looks like a very small pincushion filled with a | | | | before mounting it in a stitching frame. Find it at art |
| gritty, sand-like material which keeps needles clean and | | | | supply stores. |
| sharp. | | | | Lighting and Magnification. Both your eyesight and your |
| Needlebook or Needlecase. With "pages" of soft | | | | needlework deserve optimal lighting. Choose a light that |
| fabric, a needlebook keeps your pins and needles | | | | directs a circle (not a spotlight) of light onto your entire |
| protected (and protects you from the needles, too) | | | | stitching surface. Floor lamps and swivel-arm table |
| and organized. Each "open page" is designed to store | | | | lamps (such as an architect's light) are good choices. |
| a particular needle type in a range of sizes. As with | | | | To avoid casting shadows over the work surface, |
| pincushions, this is an item you can make yourself to | | | | right-handers will benefit from a light directed over the |
| show off your stitching talents. | | | | left shoulder, left-handers from the right. |
| Many stitchers like to store their needles in | | | | For very fine work you may want to use a lamp that |
| needlecases, which may be narrow and cylindrical or | | | | has a magnifier attached. Other possibilities include |
| large and box-like; some of the latter have magnets to | | | | magnifiers that hang around the neck, attach to your |
| keep needles in place. | | | | eyeglasses, or are worn atop the head. |
| Thread Palette. These plastic wood or paper palettes | | | | |