Embroidery Stitches

When you set out to define a stitch, then you might call it a movement of the needle from the backside of the cloth to the front side and then back to other side of the cloth again. The stroke of thread made by such a movement is also called a stitch. When we talk about embroidery stitches, then we generally have in mind one or more stitches that always look the same, for they are always executed in the same way in order to give the same effect every time they are used.

Embroidery stitches are the smallest embroidery units and repeats of different types of stitches are used, either with the same or different forms of stitches to create beautiful and intricate embroidery patterns. Some of the most commonly used stitches used in hand embroidery are as follows:

The Running Stitch or the Straight Stitch: This is the most basic sewing and embroidery stitch. This is made by moving the needle with an up and down movement through the fabric. Variations of this stitch are also known as fern stitch, satin stitch or a double stitch.

The Chain Stitch: Chain stitches are made by getting a loop of thread on top of the fabric and then getting the needle from behind the fabric to pass through the loop and back again. This motion has to be repeated in order to get a row of chain stitches. This is easy to identify since the result looks like a chain.

The Back Stitch: The back stitch is another commonly used embroidery stitch and is generally used for making lines or outlining shapes. The back stitch is made by passing the needle through the fabric in a repetitive motion. The needle is inserted into the cloth so that it comes through the back of the fabric, moved to the right and inserted back again to go behind the first stitch. This will show up on the front of the fabric on the left side of the first stitch.

The Cross Stitch: The cross stitch is the most easily identifiable embroidery stitch. It is made by creating a diagonal stitch and then crossing it with another stitch such that it makes an “X” or a cross pattern. This is one of the most popular embroidery stitches.

Some variations of these common stitches like the herring bone and the lazy daisy stitch are also very popular with hand embroiderers. Other common embroidery stitches are the couching stitch, the blanket stitch, knots, the fly stitch and the whip stitch.