Embroidery Supplies

Missouri Star embroidery kits and panels, plus the floss, hoops, fabric and stabilizer to finish them. New to hand embroidery? Start with Embroidery 101 for the basic stitches, then pick a kit below. Everything on sale is in one place, too. Read more

Embroidery Supplies

What do you need for hand embroidery?

Hand embroidery needs very little: fabric, a hoop to hold it taut, a needle with an eye big enough for your floss, and a pattern to follow. Missouri Star embroidery kits bundle all of it, with pre-printed fabric, floss in matching colors and step-by-step instructions, so you can start stitching the day your kit arrives.

Kits, panels and Peel & Stitch

Kits: everything for one project in one box
Panels: pre-printed fabric when you already have floss
Peel & Stitch: printed stabilizer you stick on, stitch through and rinse away
Floss packs: colors matched to each kit

Hoops, needles and stabilizer

A hoop a little larger than your design keeps fabric drum-tight. Embroidery needles have long eyes for six-strand floss, and a tear-away or wash-away stabilizer keeps lightweight fabric from puckering.

Choosing floss

Six-strand cotton floss can be split for fine lines or used whole for bold fills. Perle cotton is a single twisted strand with a soft sheen, great for outlines and big-stitch work.

Caring for finished embroidery

Wash finished pieces by hand in cool water, roll them in a towel to dry, and press face down on a soft towel so the stitches keep their shape.

Embroidery FAQ

What do I need to start hand embroidery?

Fabric, a hoop, an embroidery needle, floss and a pattern. The easiest start is a Missouri Star embroidery kit, which puts the design, floss and instructions in one box. Learn Embroidery Stitch by Stitch is made for first-timers.

Which floss matches a Missouri Star kit?

Every Missouri Star kit comes with its floss. If you want extra, or you're stitching a panel, our matching floss packs are color-matched to each design.

What’s the difference between an embroidery kit and a panel?

A kit has everything for one project: the printed design, floss and instructions. A panel is just the pre-printed fabric, so it's for when you already have floss and a hoop.

What is Peel & Stitch?

Peel & Stitch designs are printed on stick-on, wash-away stabilizer. Peel off the backing, stick the design onto your fabric, stitch through it, then rinse in water and the stabilizer dissolves, leaving just your stitches.

What size hoop should I use?

Choose a hoop a little larger than your design, so the whole design fits inside it with fabric to spare. Most beginner designs work in a 5" to 8" hoop. Shop hoops & frames.

Do I need stabilizer for hand embroidery?

It isn't always needed, but stabilizer helps with thin or stretchy fabrics like tea towels and t-shirts because it stops puckering. Use tear-away for sturdy fabric and wash-away when you don't want anything left behind. Shop stabilizer & transfer paper.

How do I transfer a pattern onto fabric?

The simplest options are a pre-printed panel or a Peel & Stitch design, because the pattern is already on it. For your own designs, trace with a water-soluble pen or print onto stick-on transfer paper. Our free embroidery downloads are a good place to start.

How do I wash finished embroidery?

Hand wash in cool water with a mild soap, and don't wring it. Roll it in a towel to dry, then press face down on a soft towel so the stitches don't flatten.