The right fabric, needles, scissors, hoops, frames, magnifiers, daylight lamps and other useful little tools all help to make your craft more enjoyable and successful.

What do I need?

The traditional image is of the embroideress holding a hoop in one hand while stitching with the other. Many people still work this way but many others prefer to have their workpiece held for them. This allows them to use other aids such as magnifiers (very useful for older eyes!).

Seat stands are also popular being portable and easy to set up and take down. Some of the larger floor stands allow lamps and magnifiers to be attached to them, as well as holding your workpiece for you.

A daylight lamp can help you match colours correctly at night or in poor light as well as providing good light to stitch by. If you stitch at a club you might consider a portable daylight lamp - either mains or battery/mains. The mains-only versions are lighter and cheaper but don't give you complete freedom on where you use them.

When your work is finished, you will want to show it off to its best effect! If it's a wall hanging then you can choose between traditional metal hangers or bellpulls and modern deco hangers.

Whatever you're stitching and however you work, the tools you use are very personal and we will be happy to advise you on the advantages or otherwise of any of them.