If you have ever scrolled past a beautiful hand-stitched "Be Still" hoop or a sunrise scene and thought "I could never do that" — this post is for you. The truth is, Christian embroidery is one of the most beginner-friendly crafts out there, and it is a wonderfully slow, prayerful way to spend an evening. Every Christian embroidery kit from Elly and Grace is designed so that no experience is necessary. You truly can start today.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to begin your first kit, what each stitch does, and a few gentle tips we have learned from stitching hundreds of hoops here in Missouri.
Why embroidery is the perfect faith-filled hobby
There is something quietly worshipful about embroidery. It slows you down. It asks for your attention, one stitch at a time, and it gives you space to pray, to listen to a sermon or worship music, and to rest. By the time you tie off your final thread, you have not just made art — you have spent hours dwelling on words like "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
It is also forgiving. Thread can be pulled out and re-stitched. There are no mistakes you cannot undo, which makes it ideal for beginners who are nervous about getting it "perfect."
What comes in a Christian embroidery kit
Every Elly and Grace embroidery kit is all-inclusive, so you do not need to buy a single extra thing to get started. Each kit includes:
- Pre-printed fabric with your design drawn in water-soluble ink (it washes right out when you are finished)
- An embroidery hoop to hold your fabric taut
- All the embroidery floss in the exact colors you need
- An embroidery needle
- A printed stitch guide and instructions
- Access to free step-by-step video tutorials for every single stitch on our YouTube channel
That last one is the secret weapon. If you are a visual learner, you can follow along with a video for each stitch, pausing as you go.
Step 1: Set up your hoop
Start by loosening the screw on your embroidery hoop until the two rings come apart. Lay your printed fabric over the smaller (inner) ring, centering the design, then press the larger (outer) ring down over the top. Tighten the screw and gently pull the edges of the fabric until it is taut — pulled tight with no slack, like the surface of a drum.
One thing every beginner should know: your fabric will loosen as you stitch. That is completely normal. Just re-tighten it every few stitches to keep your tension even.
Step 2: Learn the handful of stitches you'll use
You do not need to master dozens of stitches. Most of our designs use just a few simple ones, and once you learn these, you can stitch almost anything:
- Long and short stitch — perfect for filling in areas like a sky or a sunrise, and for blending colors into a soft ombre effect.
- Backstitch — a clean, continuous line, great for sunbeams and outlines.
- Split stitch — our go-to for stitching lettering and script like "be still."
- Chain stitch — a looped, textured line that makes beautiful rolling hills.
- French knots — little raised dots that add gorgeous texture (wrap the floss twice around the needle and keep it tight).
Each kit's stitch guide tells you exactly which stitch and which thread color goes where, so you are never guessing.
Step 3: Work in the right order
A simple rule makes a big difference: work back to front, background first. For a landscape design, stitch the horizon line and sky before the hills, because it is much easier to add knots and chain stitches once the background is already in place. Save your lettering for last.
Step 4: Finish your hoop
When your stitching is done, you will:
- Remove the fabric and run it under water, gently rubbing until all the water-soluble ink dissolves. Be sure to remove all the ink so it does not smudge as it dries.
- Let it dry, then place it back in the hoop and pull it taut once more.
- Trim the excess fabric, leaving enough to fold over the back, and secure it with a little hot glue.
- Optionally, glue a circle of felt or fabric to the back for a clean finish — though many of us love seeing the back of our work and leave it as is!
You can do this
That is genuinely all there is to it. Your first hoop may not be flawless, and that is the beauty of a handmade thing — it carries your hands and your heart in it. So put on some worship music, pour a cup of coffee, and give yourself permission to slow down.
Ready to begin? Browse our beginner-friendly Christian embroidery kits and pick the verse that is speaking to you right now. And when you finish, tag us @ellyandgrace — we would love to see your beautiful work and cheer you on.
Happy stitching!
