Simple Hand Embroidery Stitches Idea

Find the simplest hand embroidery stitches idea here!

Once you familiarize yourself with basic stitches, you’ll find that they’re the foundation to those more elaborate stitches that once seemed too difficult to tackle. Here are 10 embroidery stitches to know as you move forward with hand embroidery.

1. RUNNING STITCH

The running stitch is good for outlining an embroidery design and is a very quick stitch to do. There are two ways to do the running stitch.

Inserting Needle for Running Stitch

The first method is similar to hand sewing and can be completed by pushing the needle and floss in and over the fabric in one continuous motion.

Finished Running Stitch in the Hoop

The second method is literally pushing the needle through the fabric and pulling it back up. I’ve heard this called the “punch and poke” or “stabbing” method.

2. BACKSTITCH

Line of hand embroidered backstitch

Unlike the running stitch, the backstitch creates a solid line and is good for hand embroidering text or outlining a design.

Making a backstitch

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.

3. SPLIT STITCH

Hand embroidered split stitches

Similar to the backstitch, the split stitch creates a solid line with a braid-like texture to it. This stitch is appropriate for text and outline as well, but it also works to fill designs and create variation from the running or backstitch.

Pull needle through center of straight stitch

To begin, pull your needle and floss up through the fabric and create one straight stitch. Your needle and floss should be on the underside of your hoop. Bring the needle up through the center of the stitch you just created.

Completing a row of split stitches

Then stitch forward the same length as your initial stitch. Repeat by bringing the needle up through the center of each stitch.

4. STEM STITCH

Stem stitch embroidery

The stem stitch got its name from being the common stitch used for the stems of flowers or vines. I like to use this stitch for text because it can curve nicely with letters.

Needle placement for stem stitch One finished stem stitch

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 this initial stitch, bring the needle up just to the side of the stitch.

5. SATIN STITCH

Small square of satin stitch

A good filler stitch, the satin stitch creates a smooth appearance. I like to use this stitch to fill in hearts or the leaves of flowers.

Draw square for satin stitch

I find it helpful to draw the shape I’m trying to fill first, to use as a guide.

One satin stitch filling square

Take your needle and floss and create one stitch that extends from one end of the shape to the other.

Making side by side satin stitches

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.

6. FRENCH KNOTS

This is a favorite decorative stitch for almost everyone that I know. French Knots can be used to accent designs or create fun fillers for most designs.

Bring floss up through fabric

You’ll have to use two hands to create the French knot. First, bring the needle and floss up through the fabric.

Wrap embroidery floss around needle twice

Then wrap the floss around the needle twice.

Insert needle back down

Hold the end of the floss taut and bring the needle down just next to the space where it came out through.

source: craftsy.com