Embroidery Sampler for Beginners
with Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Prolific embroidery author and teacher behind dozens of beginner books.
A classic sampler-based introduction. Perfect if you want to drill each stitch before committing to a 'real' project.
Free trial · £11/mo
Watch the intro lesson free
At a glance
The basics
Best for
Beginners who want a sampler to practise on
You'll make
A ten-stitch sampler
Time commitment
About 2–3 hours plus practice time
Starter cost
~£18
Platform
Skillshare (free trial available)
Pace
Stitch-by-stitch — easy to follow
Who this is for
The honest fit
Great if you…
- Want to learn stitches methodically
- Already have a Skillshare subscription
- Like the reference value of a finished sampler
- Prefer a friendly, written-word teacher
Maybe not if you…
- Want a frame-ready 'proper' project as your outcome
- Don't want to subscribe to Skillshare
- Prefer botanical or illustrative embroidery
The curriculum
What the course covers
14 lessons, roughly 2h 15m total.
- 1–2
Tools and setup
Picking a hoop, fabric, floss and needle
- 3–5
Outline stitches
Running, back, stem, split
- 6–9
Fill stitches
Satin, long-and-short, seed
- 10–12
Texture stitches
French knot, bullion, lazy daisy
- 13–14
Finishing and framing
Backing your hoop, presentation
Our honest take
What we thought
What we liked
Mollie is calm, clear and consistent. The sampler format means you leave with a proper reference piece — useful long after you've moved onto bigger projects.
Where it could be better
A sampler isn't as visually satisfying as a finished botanical hoop. If you crave a 'real' outcome, our Domestika pick is the better bet.
Our scoring
4.4
Overall · out of 5
The verdict
“The sensible second course, or a first if you already have Skillshare. A sampler is a gift that keeps giving once you're stitching regularly.”
Free trial · £11/mo
The kit
What you'll need to follow along
3 things. That's it.
Beech wood embroidery hoop (6 inch)
Our pickSame hoop we recommend elsewhere — long-lasting and kind to fabric.
DMC cotton floss starter pack
Plenty of colours for your sampler and the project after.
Mixed crewel needles
A range of sizes lets you handle different stitches confidently.
Total: ~£24Everything you need for the course.
See all on AmazonSome links on this page are affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we’d use ourselves.
On a tight budget?
The budget kit
These will absolutely get you through the course. The top-pick kit is nicer; the budget kit works while you’re finding out if this craft is your thing.
Plastic hoop
instead of beech wood
£2.50
Anchor skeins × 10
instead of DMC starter pack
£8.50
Sewing set sharps
instead of crewel needles
£1
Not quite right?
Try one of these instead
Different courses suit different people. These are the two worth considering alongside.
Keep reading
More embroidery guides
How Long Does It Take to Learn Embroidery?
A realistic timeline from your first running stitch to a frame-ready botanical hoop — plus what affects how fast embroidery sticks.
Read
EmbroideryIs Embroidery Hard to Learn?
The honest answer — what the first hour of embroidery actually feels like, where beginners get stuck, and how quickly your work starts looking real.
Read
EmbroideryEmbroidery vs Cross Stitch — What's the Difference?
Both use thread, both use a hoop. Here's what actually separates them — and which one to start with.
Read
Common questions about this course
- Do I need the exact floss colours?
- No. Mollie includes a colour list but any floss will work — samplers look lovely in monochrome too.
- Can I do this on linen instead of cotton?
- Yes, but linen is slightly more challenging for absolute beginners. Start with cotton, upgrade later.
- Is the Skillshare free trial long enough?
- Yes — easily enough time to finish the course and start your own second piece.
Ready when you are
Ready to start?
Grab the kit, start the course, and you'll have your first finished piece by the weekend.