A needle. Some fabric. A thread. Scissors. Embroidery at it's simplist starts with these four things. But there are so many types of embroidery that you can spend an entire lifetime exploring it. You can use it on tapestries, stuffed animals, aprons, clothing of all kinds from jeans to hats and everything in between. It can be exacting and complicated or primitive and free.

It can be elegant or retro or silly or subversive. It's easier if you keep your fabric in an embroidery hoop so that you can control the tension. You can learn the five basic stitches in an hour or two. Many craft books and magazines include a page or two on the basic stitches. Or pick up an inexpensive stitch dictionary if you want to explore more exotic stitches.