Basic Embroidery Stitches: Pictures, Diagrams, and How-Tos
With just a few basic stitches, you can create dynamic embroidered effects. Combine the basics and you can elevate the texture and dimension of your designs. Don't beĀ afraid to allow yourself creative leeway. Make your own variations; you may be surprised at the results! Follow the step-by-step instructions to learn the essential stitches.
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Backstitch
When to use:Ā The perfect stitch for outlines, this simple stitch works best when a very precise line is necessary.
How-to:Ā To backstitch, pull the needle up at A, insert it back into the fabric at B, and bring it upĀ at C. Continue in the same manner.
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Beaded Whipped Chain Stitch
Learn how to make a beaded whipped chain stitchĀ for your embroidery projects.
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Blanket Stitch
When to use:Ā This decorative stitch canĀ be a bit confusing at first,Ā but with a little practice,Ā you'll pick up the overlapping pattern and be stitchingĀ it with ease.
How-to:Ā To blanket-stitch, pull the needle up at A, form a reverse L shape with the thread, and hold the angle of the L shape in place with your thumb. Push the needle down at B and come up at C to secure the stitch. Repeat for as many blanket stitches as desired. You may wish to make all your stitches the same length, as shown inĀ the illustration, or varyĀ the lengths.
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Chain Stitch
When to use:Ā Versatile as a decorative stitch, outline, or border, this textured stitch is a series of loops joined together to resemble a chain.
How-to:Ā To chain-stitch, pull the needle up at A, form a U shape with the thread, and hold the shape in place with your thumb. Push the needle down at B, about 1ā16" from A, and come up at C. Repeat for as many chain stitches as desired.
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Cross-Stitch
When to use:Ā Gaining its popularity from charted designs stitched on the uniform squares of Aida cloth, cross-stitch works well for free-form embroidery on other fabrics as well. It's simply two straight stitches, crossed at the centers.
How-to:Ā To cross-stitch, pull the needle up at A. Insert it back into the fabric at B, and bring it up at C; then push the needle down again at D.
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Drizzle Stitch
LearnĀ how to make a drizzle stitch for your embroidery projects.
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Eyelet Wheel Stitch
LearnĀ how to make an eyelet wheel stitch for your embroidery projects.
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Featherstitch
When to use:Ā Overlapping V-shape stitches give this stitch its distinctive featherlike look.
How-to:Ā To featherstitch, pull the needle up at A, form a V shape with thread, and hold the angle in place with your thumb. Push needle down at B, about 3ā8" from A, and come up at C. For the next stitch, insert needle at D and bring it out at E; continueĀ in the same manner.
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Fly Stitch
Learn how to make a fly stitch for your embroidery projects.
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French Knot
When to use:Ā This raised knot makes aĀ nice dimensional accent when stitched alone, sprinkled throughout a design, or grouped together to fill a space.
How-to:Ā To make a French knot, bring the needle up at A. Wrap the thread around the needle two or three times without twisting it. Insert the needle into the fabric at B, about 1ā16" away from A. Gently push the wraps down the needle to meet the fabric and then pull the needle and thread through the fabric slowly and smoothly.
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Lazy Daisy Stitch
When to use:Ā One loop, similar to the chain stitch, is tacked down with a tiny straight stitch to form this versatile stitch. Make one loop for a leaf, or stitch severalĀ in a circular pattern to fashion a flower.
How-to:Ā To make a lazy daisy stitch, pull the needle up at A and form a loop of thread on the fabric surface. Holding the loop in place, insert the needle back into the fabric at B, about 1ā16" away from A. Bring the needle tip out at C and cross it over the trailing thread, keeping the thread as flat as possible. Pull the needle and trailing thread until the loop lies flat against the fabric. Push the needle through to the back at DĀ to secure the loop.
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Pekinese Stitch
LearnĀ to make a Pekinese stitch for your embroidery projects.
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Pistil Stitch
LearnĀ to make a pistil stitch for your embroidery projects.
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Rosette Chain Stitch
LearnĀ to make a rosette chain stitch for your embroidery projects.
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Running Stitch
When to use:Ā Another simple stitch perfect for borders and outlines,Ā this stitch resemblesĀ a dashed line.
How-to:Ā To make a running stitch, pull the needle up at A and insert it back into the fabric at B. Continue in the same manner, loading several stitches on the needle at a time.
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Satin Stitch
When to use:Ā When you want to fill anĀ area with solid stitching,Ā the satin stitch is the perfect choice and is recognizedĀ by its closely spacedĀ straight stitches.
How-to:Ā To satin-stitch, fill in the design area with straight stitches, stitching from edge to edge and placing the stitches side by side.
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Scroll Stitch
LearnĀ to make a scroll stitch for your embroidery projects.
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Split Stitch
When to use:Ā Use your embroidery needle to split each previously made straight stitch and create a textured line perfect for flower stems and outlines.
How-to:Ā To split-stitch, pull the needle up at A and insert the needle back into the fabric at B, about 1ā8"ā1ā4" away from A. Then, holding thread atop the stitching line, bring the needle back up at C, piercing through the center of the first stitch, and pull the thread down at D so it lies flat against the fabric. Continue in the same manner, pulling with equal tautness after each stitch.
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Stem Stitch
When to use:Ā Just as its name implies, this stitch is often used for flower stems and outlines and works well for curved lines.
How-to:Ā To stem-stitch, pull the needle up at A. Insert the needle back into the fabricĀ at B, about 3ā8" away from A. Then, holding the thread outĀ of the way, bring the needle back up at C, half way between A and B, and pull the thread through so it liesĀ flat against the fabric. Pull with equal tautness after each stitch.
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Straight Stitch
When to use:Ā Sometimes all you need is a basic stitch. The straight stitch is just one stitch sewn in any direction.
How-to:Ā To straight-stitch, pull the needle up at A. Insert needle back into the fabric at B. Continue in the same manner.
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Threaded Running Stitch
Learn how to make a threaded running stitchĀ for your embroidery projects.
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Whipped Woven Circle
LearnĀ to make a whipped woven circle for your embroidery projects.
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Whipstitch
When to use:Ā Another basic stitch, the whipstitch is used to join two finished edges or to attach a shape to a foundation.
How-to:Ā To whipstitch, pull the needle up at A. Insert needle at a diagonal angle through the front edge at B, resulting inĀ a slanted stitch, and picking up only one or two fabric threads at a time. ContinueĀ in the same manner.