How to Hand Embroider Curves

Pick up the embroider hoop and unscrew the metal fastener that holds the outer hoop and inner hoop together. Remove the inner hoop.

Place the fabric with the design for embroidery centered over the inner hoop. Place the outer hoop back around the inner hoop with the fabric sandwiched between the two hoops. Tighten the metal fastener to hold the fabric taut between the two hoops.

Thread the embroidery needle with the desired length of embroidery floss and knot the end of the floss.

Insert the tip of the needle through the back of the fabric up to the place you desire to begin stitching.

Pull the embroidery floss all the way through until the knot at the end of the floss rests against the back of the fabric.

Place the thumb of your non-dominant hand one inch below the point where you just pulled though the embroidery floss. Slide the 1-inch segment of floss closest to the fabric between your thumb and the fabric. Hold the floss down with your thumb while you use your dominant hand to create the first stitch.

Move the needle along the curved pattern 1/8-inch to the right of the point where you just pulled through the embroidery floss. Insert the tip of the needle into the fabric and push the tip back out at the point where you originally pulled through the embroidery floss.

Pull the needle all the way through the fabric and release your thumb from the 1-inch segment of floss to allow the floss to pull through the fabric. This is the first stitch.

Use your thumb to again hold down a 1-inch segment of floss beneath the curved pattern. For every stitch you make, you must always keep this segment of thread pulled to the outside of the curved pattern in order to properly form the curved stitches.

Move the needle along the curved pattern 1/8-inch to the right of the right endpoint of the first stitch. Insert the tip of the needle into the fabric and push the tip back out at the right endpoint of the first stitch.

Pull the needle all the way through the fabric and release your thumb from the 1-inch segment of floss to allow it to pull through the fabric. This is the second stitch. Continue stitching around the curve from left to right with 1/8-inch-long stitches.

Continue embroidering the remainder of the embroidery pattern with any stitches desired, or push the needle to the back of the fabric to knot the floss. Knot the floss by passing the needle through the back of the last stitch. Pass the entire needle through the loop of floss that is formed before pulling it tight. Repeat to knot the floss. Cut and discard excess floss.