EmbroideryDid you know that needlepoint is a form of embroidery?
What Is Embroidery?
Hand embroidery began about 3000 years ago as a means of embellishing garments. It then evolved and became a means to illustrate religious "stories" and in this regard became less to do with clothing and more to do with art work. Today, both traditions endure. Embroidery is essentially an umbrella-term for many types of needlework. It involves applying a pattern to a fabric using a needle (usually sharp-end), and thread of the stitcher's choice. The fabric might be linen cloth, needlepoint canvas, or pretty much any other type of fabric that will take a needle pushed through it. Wikipedia, the website, gives a reasonably good description of the various types of embroidery.
Wikipedia.
The thread can be silk, cotton, wool, or once again almost any other type of thread. You could embroider with rafia if you could find a needle and canvas large enough to contain it. However, embroidery cottons are the most commonly used thread and they are readily available at craft and
needlepoint stores.
Embroidery Stitches. 
Aaah, where to start. There are literally dozens and dozens of embroidery stitches and tomes have been written about them. Too many for us to go into detail on this site, but one of the best online sources we found for descriptions and visuals of commonly used embroidery stitches is at
Craftown.com
Embroidery Magazine For true embroidery afficionados, there is a magazine you might want to subscribe to. "Embroidery, published in London for the Embroiderers' Guild, is the essential magazine for the enthusiast, professional, teacher, collector and historian." (From the website of The Embroiderers Guild U.K.). Other Resources This is a helpful website about all types of embroidery Go to embroidery-methods.com. Learn From A Kit If you want to learn some basic embroidery stitches and finish up with a vibrant, fun piece of art that can be framed, stitched on a tote bag, made into a pillow, (or whatever!) then you might want to try one of these Jennifer Pudney Embroidery-On-Felt kits. There are 8 whimsical embroidery designs to choose from. Embroidery On Felt Kits. Contact us about embroidery. Or about anything else of course! If you have enjoyed the information on our website, then subscribe to our monthly newsletter. Got Needlepoint? is a monthly newsletter that brings you needlepoint articles, information about new products and designs, and fun finishing ideas. If you feel as though you haven't quite "got" needlepoint, or you want to know where to "get" needlepoint, then Got Needlepoint? is a must-read. Subscribe today!
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Well, that depends upon what type you are talking about. Machine embroidery has become very popular in recent years, but that's not what we're going to discuss here. Machine embroidery uses a sewing machine and pre-programmed patterns to create embroidered designs. We want you to work harder than that, so we are going to talk about hand embroidery.
