Is Embroidery a Cheap Hobby?

It depends heavily on what kind of embroidery you mean — hand embroidery is genuinely one of the cheapest crafts to start, while machine embroidery is a much bigger investment. Here's the honest breakdown.

Hand Embroidery: Genuinely Cheap to Start

If you're picturing hoop art, cross-stitch, or hand-stitched designs, this is one of the most affordable hobbies out there. A basic hoop, some embroidery floss, a needle, and fabric can realistically cost well under $30 to get started, and floss and fabric are inexpensive to keep restocking. This is a low-cost, low-commitment way to try embroidery before deciding whether you want to go further.

Machine Embroidery: a Real Investment

If "embroidery" means using an embroidery machine — which is what most people picture for things like custom hats, logos, or apparel — it's a different story. Even an entry-level single-needle home embroidery machine typically starts in the low-to-mid hundreds of dollars, and multi-needle machines built for regular or small-business use run well into four figures or five figures. On top of the machine itself, you'll want digitizing software, stabilizer, quality thread, and hoops in various sizes — all of which add up.

If you're seriously considering machine embroidery, our 6 needle embroidery machine guide breaks down real machine options across different budget levels.

So — Cheap or Not?

• Hand embroidery — yes, genuinely cheap, and a great low-risk way to start.

• Machine embroidery as a casual hobby — a moderate investment, but manageable if you're committed to sticking with it.

• Machine embroidery for a side business — a real business investment, not really a "cheap hobby" anymore, but one that can pay for itself with the right volume.

FAQ

What's the cheapest way to try embroidery?

Hand embroidery — a basic hoop kit with floss and fabric is inexpensive and a good way to learn the fundamentals before deciding whether to invest in a machine.

Do I need an embroidery machine to embroider?

No — hand embroidery requires no machine at all, just a needle, thread, and fabric. A machine becomes worthwhile once you want speed, consistency, or the ability to embroider onto things like hats.

Is embroidery a good side hustle?

It can be, especially machine embroidery for hats, apparel, and small business orders — but it does require an upfront equipment investment before it becomes profitable.