What you need for free-motion embroidery
A sewing machine with drop feed, a free-motion foot, needles, thread, stabiliser and a marker.
- A domestic sewing machine that lets you lower or cover the feed dogs.
- An open-toe free-motion foot (darning or hopping foot): the easiest to see round.
- A machine embroidery needle, about 75/11 to 90/14.
- Firm, high thread count cotton fabric.
- Stabiliser: tear-away, cut-away or water-soluble.
- An erasable pen or chalk marker (test it first).
All guides ›Free-motion embroidery
Sources
All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.