5 Embroidery Stitches That Everyone Should Know

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5 Embroidery Stitches That Everyone Should Know

Whether you are a beginner or have been practicing your embroidery for years, there are some time-honored techniques that have become essential staples of the craft. Outlining, filling in and detailing designs require different approaches to your needlework. This information will help you identify the most practical beginner embroidery stitches so that you can practice them as you hone your talents.

Essential Embroidery Stitches

As you become more proficient at embroidery, these embroidery stitches will doubtlessly find a place in your bag of tricks. This is by no means an exhaustive list of techniques, as there are literally dozens to choose from. However, these five stitching methods will help you advance your skill set and are considered essential basics of the practice.

The Backstitch

What it’s for: Stitching solid lines

How to do it: Pull the needle and thread through the fabric, moving your stitching forward. Underneath the canvas, space out the needle and thread to the length of your desired stitch and then pull upward and through the fabric. Bring the needle and thread downward through the end of the stitch you made previously.

The Split Stitch

What it’s for: Filling in designs and creating outlines

How to do it: Create a straight stitch. On the underside of the hoop, bring the needle up and through the center of the stitch that you just made. Stitch forward. Repeat by bringing the needle through the center of your previous stitch with each step.

The Running Stitch

What it’s for: Quick and easy outlining of designs

How to do it: Simply thread the needle and thread through the material in an “in and over” fashion repeatedly and in one continuous motion.

The Stem Stitch

What it’s for: The creation of flower stems and vines, as well as any designs that require a curve

How to do it: Create a straight stitch. With the needle and thread beneath the fabric, bring the needle up to the side of the stitch. This is similar to the split stitch, except you aren’t passing the needle through the center of the previous stitch.

The French Knot

What it’s for: Creating stylish accents and filling in designs

How to do it: Bring the needle upward and through the fabric. Proceed to wrap the thread around the needle two times and then bring the needle downward through the material next to the spot that you had stitched upward through. Hold the threading material taut as you do this.

With these embroidery stitches in your reserves, you can begin creating and stitching designs of your own by hand. These basic methods will become essential as you progress your talent in embroidery.