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The Top 10 Hand Embroidery Stitches Every Beginner

Should Learn
By Kristen Valencia
April 20, 2018 08:50 PM

We’re sending a big thank-you to embellished jeans and cheeky throw pillows for making
embroidery the latest crafty comeback. (Seriously, just look at the magic that's happening over
on Insta. ) Want in? These 10 stitches will get you started, and are a great foundation for taking
your hoop to the next level.

1. Running Stitch
Not to be confused with the running man, the running stitch offers a quick way to outline a
design. There are two methods you can use.

The first is the sewing method: Simply weave the needle and floss through the fabric in one
continuous motion to create several stitches at once, as if you were sewing a seam.

The second is the "punch and poke" or "stabbing" method: Push the needle through the fabric
to the back, then poke it through to the front a short distance away, creating one stitch at a
time.

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2. Backstitch
The backstitch is great when you need a solid line, like when you're creating outlines or hand
embroidered letters .

Begin by pulling the needle and floss up through the fabric and do one stitch forward. From
underneath, space the needle out the length of your desired stitch, pull up through the fabric,
and bring the needle and floss back down through the end of the previous stitch.

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3. Split Stitch
Similar to the backstitch, the split stitch creates a solid line, but its braided texture is all its
own. This stitch is another good option for text and outlines, but also works well for filling in
designs .

To begin, pull your needle and floss up through the fabric and create one straight stitch. With
your needle and floss on the underside of your hoop, bring the needle up through the center
of the stitch you just created. Stitch forward the same length as your initial stitch. Repeat by
bringing the needle up through the center of each stitch.

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4. Stem Stitch
This stitch got its name — you guessed it — from being used to create flower stems and vines .
But really, it's a nice option for anything that needs to curve.

Similar to the split stitch, start by creating one straight stitch forward. Then, bring the needle
and floss up underneath the fabric, but instead of going through the center of your initial
stitch, go just to the side of the stitch.

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5. Satin Stitch
When you're creating hearts or filling in leaves, it's likely you want the design to have a smooth
appearance. That's where this stitch comes in. It adds a nice raised texture, and gets the job
done super fast.

First, draw out the shape you want to fill to use as a guide. With your needle and floss, create
one stitch that extends from one end of the shape to the other.

Bring the needle up again just next to the opposite side of the initial stitch. Keep the stitches
close to one another, as required to fill the pattern or design you are working with.

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6. French Knots
This decorative stitch makes a pretty accent design throughout your project, and you'll even
need two hands to pull it off. But don't worry, it's not tough! First, bring the needle and floss
up through the fabric. Then wrap the floss around the needle twice. Hold the end of the floss
taut and bring the needle down just next to the space where it came through the fabric.

Keep holding the floss taut as you pull the needle through. You can vary the size of your
French knots by wrapping the floss around the needle anywhere between one and three
times.

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7. Chain Stitch
This stitch may look complicated, but with some practice we pinky promise you'll get it. It's
another one that's great for an outline, or the frame around a patterned design.

First, pull your needle and floss up through the fabric, then insert it going down right beside
where you first came up. Don't pull the floss all the way through the fabric; allow it to form a
loop. Bring the needle up through that loop (this tethers it from being pulled all the way
through the fabric) and pull.

To make the next chain stitch, place the needle either directly in the hole you just stitched, or
close to it, and pull through to create another loop. Again, don't pull the floss completely
through the fabric. Pull the needle up through the loop to tether it and pull.

Repeat the steps to continue the chain. When you reach the end, create a small stitch over the
loop to secure it.

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8. Lazy Daisy
This variation of the chain stitch is often referred to as the "detached chain stitch" or "lazy
daisy." Why? Instead of continuing the chain, you make a small stitch just over the end of the
loop to create what looks like a daisy petal.

Just like the chain stitch, take your needle and floss and create a stitch, but before you pull the
floss all the way through the fabric, allow it to form a loop. Bring the needle up through that
loop in order to tether it from being pulled all the way through the fabric.

Create a small stitch over the top of the loop. Space out the next loop or use the stitch to
create a daisy. Continue as desired.

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9. Feather Stitch
Another way to riff off the chain stitch is the feather stitch, which uses the second stitch to
anchor the loop of the previous one. This particular chain variation works well when you want
to cover more space.

Start by bringing the needle and floss up through the fabric and creating a straight stitch. Don’t
pull the floss all the way through; allow a loop to form and bring the needle up through that
loop.

Space the next stitch over in the opposite direction from the previous stitch. Create another
loop by not allowing the floss to go completely through the fabric. Pull the needle up through
the loop and repeat on the opposite side.

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10. Seed Stitch

Imagine tossing the contents of a seed packet into the air and watching the seeds fall
randomly on the ground. That's what the seed stitch looks like, and it's a great filler stitch.

To do it, bring the needle and floss up through the fabric and create a short, straight stitch.
Bring the needle and floss up through the fabric again in a different angle. Continue until you
have a filled area. Depending how close or far you space out your seed stitches, you can create
a wide fill or layers of floss that appear to have dimension.

TRY IT

Now that you've mastered the basics, you're pretty much ready for anything — including
amazing fashion pieces. Go ahead and get started with this stunning sampler scarf from slow
fashion pioneer Natalie Chanin. You already know most of the stitches you need!

Beginner's Guide to Beautiful Hand Embroidery

From supplies to popular stitches, get the essentials you need to know
for beautiful hand embroidery.

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The Top 10 Hand Embroidery Stitches Every Beginner Should Learn