Are you new to embroidery? If so, welcome to the wonderful world of embroidery! Not only is embroidery a fun craft, but you can use embroidery to personalize a garment, for your home decor, and of course, to make hoop art. Personally, I like to think of it as drawing with thread!
Embroidery looks tricky at first since there’s so many stitches out there. Luckily, you only need to know a few stitches to do most projects! So today, I’m sharing 10 easy embroidery stitches that will help you get you started on your first project. So, grab your needle and thread, and let’s get stitching!
10 Easy Embroidery Stitches:
Running Stitch
This is the most basic of all embroidery stitches. You can make straight or curved lines with this stitch. Start by pulling your needle up from the back to the front of your fabric. Then simply bring your needle back down again, making your first stitch. Repeat this as evenly as possible until your line or shape is complete.
Seed Stitch
This is very similar to a running stitch, but instead of making lines or shapes, these are done randomly. Use this stitch to fill in a shape or add texture.
Back Stitch
Like a running stitch, this stitch is used to make lines and shapes. To do this stitch, start with your needle coming up from the back of your fabric. I like to make one running stitch, then start with my first back stitch. Keeping an equal distance between your stitches, bring your needle to the front of the fabric, then bring it back down at the same spot as your last stitch.
Split Stitch
Somewhat similar to the back stitch, but the split stitch will look similar to the chain stitch shown below. Like last time, start with a running stitch, but this time you will not bring your needle back to your last stitch. Instead, you will bring your needle back up halfway through your last stitch. Then bring your needle back down again, making your next stitch. This stitch works best with multiple strands of floss, so that you can split through your stitch easily. Use this stitch for lines, shapes, and letters.
Satin Stitch
This stitch is popular to fill in small shapes. If your shapes are large, then you run the risk of getting snags. Work with a shorter length of thread, so that your stitches lay flat and smooth. You can choose to outline your shape with a backstitch. This will give a cleaner outline of the shape, but this is optional. Both versions are shown in the picture.
Start your stitch as you would with a running stitch. Bring your needle back down on the other side of your shape. Then bring it back up on the side where you started. Make the stitches close together, but not overlapping. In the end, backside of your fabric will look that same as your front. Make sure you have lots of floss, as this stitch uses a lot!
Long and Short Stitch
Done in the same manner as a satin stitch, but with a combination of long and short stitches. This stitch is generally used to blend in multiple colors within a shape. You will also see this used in “needle painting”. This stitch is also used to fill in large shapes where a satin stitch may be too long and snag. Like the satin stitch, you can choose whether to outline your shape first. Work this stitch into rows within your shape, changing colors in each row if needed.
Start your first row with alternating long and short stitches. The next row will all have the same stitch length, but will meet at the stitches in the previous row or slightly overlap. If you choose to have your stitch meet at the previous row, they will resemble what’s called a “brick stitch”. The more common version will have the two rows slightly overlapping, resulting in a more blended appearance. If you want an even more blended look, try using less threads of floss and more shades of color. Both versions are shown.
Lazy Daisy
The lazy daisy stitch is also known as a detached chain stitch. You’re basically making one part of the “chain”. Again, pull your needle up from the back of the fabric, then bring it back down near to where you started. Don’t pull your thread tight yet, instead bring your needle back up at the top of your petal. Now tighten your thread. The tighter you pull this thread, the more pointy your petal will be. Bring your needle back down again, and make a small stitch to anchor the first thread. You’ve made your first petal! Repeat until your flower is complete!
Chain Stitch
For the chain stitch, we’re going to use the same steps as above, but this time we’re going to attach them together to make a line. You can make straight or curved lines with this stitch. So just like for the lazy daisy, you’re going to make a loose stitch. Instead of making a small stitch to anchor this stitch, we’re going to make another loose stitch forming the next part of the chain.
To make a wide chain stitch, keep your first two stitches wide apart. To make a thinner chain stitch, bring your needle back down either right at or right next to your first stitch. Use your other hand to pull your loops into place.
My Favorite Way to Chain Stitch (Bonus stitch!)
Chain stitch can be a tedious stitch in my opinion. So, do you want to learn an easier way to do it? Do it backwards! Its proper name is a “reversed chain stitch”. To do this, first make a small running stitch that will be an anchor your first loop. Then bring your needle to where you want the bottom of your first loop to be. Thread your needle through the anchor stitch, then bring your needle back to the bottom of the loop. Now repeat this by threading your next loop through your previous loop. Much easier, right?
Fly Stitch
Similar to the lazy daisy stitch, but this one will resemble a “Y”. These can used as a single decorative stitch or to make a line. This stitch is popular to use for branches, leaves, and flower stems.
Just like the lazy daisy stitch, make a loose stitch. Then bring your needle back up at the bottom of the “Y”. This time, make this stitch a longer anchor stitch. If you want to make them appear attached, just start your next loose stitch close to your last anchor stitch. Another option is to attach them at the edges of your “Y’s” to form a line. Change up the width and closeness of your stitches to suit your design needs!
French Knot
This is the trickiest of the stitches on this list, but with a little practice you’ll see why it’s so popular. This stitch can be used to dot “I’s”, make polka dots, add texture, and fill in shapes.
Pull your needle up from the back, and wrap your thread around the needle twice. Make sure your remaining thread is at the bottom, near the tip of the needle. Bring your needle back down right next to where your thread came up. Do not put it at the same spot, or your knot will disappear! As you’re pulling your needle down, use your other hand to keep your thread tightly wrapped around your needle. I like to make my French knots with my hoop at the edge of a table so I can use both hands for these.
To vary the size of your French knot, experiment with different amount of threads of floss and the amount of wraps around your needle. Use a piece of scrap fabric to experiment different French knot sizes before using it on your project!
There you go!
Now that you’ve learned some of the basic embroidery stitches, you should be able to get going on your first embroidery project. Looking for a pattern to try out these stitches? Be sure to check out my Etsy shop for the latest embroidery patterns!
Unsure of what embroidery supplies you need? Check out my handy guide for everything you need. Happy stitching!
