I like to use the chain stitch as a textured border in my hand embroidery work, and it's so easy to do as long as you go through the process step by step.
In the video below, I show how to do the chain stitch, but I'm not sure I detailed each step carefully enough.
So, I want to add a written tutorial here to help if you're trying to learn how to make the chain stitch.
Hand Embroidery Chain Stitch image by Christie, Grace [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
About the Hand Embroidery Chain Stitch
To get started, stretch the fabric in the embroidery hoop so it's fairly snug, with just a small amount of play.
If the fabric is stretched too tightly, it's harder to work the needle through the fabric.
Thread the needle and knot the end of the embroidery floss.
Bring the needle up through the fabric at the desired starting point.
Move the needle tip over just a fiber or two in the fabric, then poke the tip down through and bring the tip back up through the fabric about 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch forward on the line of chain stitching you are creating.
Loop the embroidery floss forward and under the tip of the needle before pulling the needle through.
Tug slowly on the needle to prevent knotting, and hold the floss down gently if it starts to twist or it can form a knot that's hard to get out.
Move the needle's tip just over the embroidery floss and poke it down through the fabric, then work it back through the fabric's surface to form the next stitch in the chain.
Keep going until you reach the end of your chain or embroidery floss (whichever comes first) then anchor the chain stitches with a couple tiny stitches on the fabric's back.
Video of Hand Embroidery Chain Stitch
I'm considering reshooting this hand embroidery chain stitch video, so if you need more help with the chain stitch, or any kind of embroidery stitch, feel free to leave a request in the comments here, on my YouTube channel, or in the Facebook group associated with this site.
I'm trying to get more Likes and subscribers on my YouTube channel, so if you're interested in seeing more sewing lessons, it would really help me out if you visit my sewing tutorial channel and click the thumbs-up icon and the Subscribe button.
I really like doing the cross stitch in hand embroidery as a way to add texture and delicate color to things like baskets (to show the weave) and it makes a charming border, too. It's also used in counted cross stitch.
Hand Embroidery Cross Stitch image courtesy of Pixabay
How to Hand Embroider the Cross Stitch
One popular way to do the cross stitch, especially if you're new to hand embroidery, is by getting an iron-on embroidery pattern to follow.
An iron-on embroidery pattern can actually be a big help when you're first learning this hand sewing technique, because, as you'll see in the video below, it can be challenging to keep your stitches straight when you're doing freehand embroidery.
Steps for Cross Stitching in Embroidery
Bring the needle up through the fabric from the back side - at the desired starting point.
Bring the needle's tip to the next point, on the diagonal, and then push it down through the fabric.
Pull the embroidery floss until it's snug.
Bring the needle's tip over to the spot beside the first spot where you brought it up through the fabric. (That sounds a bit confusing, so if I lost you there, definitely check out the video to see it.)
Repeat the stitching until you've formed all the cross stitches you need to add in that color of embroidery floss.
Anchor the stitching with a couple of tiny stitches on the back side of the fabric - positioned so it's under another stitch so it doesn't show.
Video of Making the Cross Stitch in Hand Embroidery
With this video of the cross stitch, I'm just about through the basic hand embroidery stitches, and I'll be moving into turning the different stitches into a complete design.
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The stem stitch is a variation of the back stitch, and it's used a lot in flower embroidery as well as many other types of hand embroidery designs.
The stem stitch is a fairly easy stitch to master, and it adds a beautiful effect to your embroidery designs.
Stem Stitch in Flower Embroidery image courtesy of Pixabay
Information About the Hand Embroidery Stem Stitch
The stem stitch and back stitch are so similar they can almost (but not quite) be used interchangeably in some flower embroidery designs.
While the back stitch forms a line of stitches that look like machine stitching on the surface, the stem stitch adds a touch of width and boldness to the effect.
It's thicker lines enhance the appearance of stems and leaves on flowers, and you can also use it for things like lettering in monograms or borders any time you want to frame something so it really stands out.
To make the stem stitch:
Bring the needle up through the fabric from the back at the desired starting point.
Bring it about 1/8-inch forward then poke it back down through the fabric.
In the center of the stitch, just to one side, bring the needle back up through the fabric.
Move the needle 1/8-inch forward and poke it back through the fabric.
Repeat this over and over until you reach the end of the line to make your desired shape.
Anchor the stitches on the back side of the fabric by making two or three tiny stitches.
The video tutorial below shows how to do the stem stitch if you would like to also watch how to do it.
Video Tutorial Showing How to Make the Stem Stitch in Embroidery Designs
Hand embroidery can be a really enjoyable way to pass the time and make some unique creations.
It does take patience and practice, though, and sometimes it takes a while for designs to take shape - as you can see in the video, where the freehand flower embroidery design I'm creating in this quilt square is only just beginning to take shape after several episodes of Sewing Lessons from Stitching it Right.
In hand embroidery, the satin stitch is used to fill in spaces with color. It's a great way to fill in flower petals or add color to a basket. The satin stitch is an easy hand embroidery stitch, and I also share a way to do a faux satin stitch in the video in case you want to try a satin stitch technique that saves embroidery floss.
Embroidery Floss for Hand Embroidery Satin Stitch image courtesy of Pixabay
Hand Embroidery Satin Stitch Tutorial
To start the satin stitch, prepare your fabric, ideally by stretching it flat in an embroidery hoop.
Also, prepare the needle by threading it with embroidery floss and knotting the end.
Poke the tip of the needle through the fabric at your desired starting point, then pull the embroidery floss all the way through.
Move the needle tip all the way across the space you're filling, up to an inch or two in width, then poke the needle down through the fabric.
Bring the yip up the needle back up through the fabric right beside the first stitch, then back down through the fabric at the other end, making the embroidery thread lines run parallel to one another.
Repeat the first steps over and over until you've filled the space you are embellishing with embroidery floss.
The true satin stitch uses quite a bit of embroidery thread, and I've come up with my own faux satin stitch that I use sometimes when I run low on embroidery floss.
I shared my faux satin stitch technique in the video below after the step-by-step example of the classic satin stitch.
Video Showing the Satin Stitch in Hand Embroidery
Hand embroidery can be used to add charming touches to home decor, garments, monogramming any textile item, and even the things you make for your pets.
The back stitch in embroidery is used to create a solid line that resembles a line of machine stitching. It's great for making stems, as shown in the video, and it's handy for outlining things and even monogramming garments with hand embroidery.
Embroidery Floss Case
How to Hand Embroider the Back Stitch
The back stitch is the embroidery stitching shown in green in the video below.
It's an easy stitch to master with just a bit of practice, and you can use it for a lot of different designs in embroidery.
You can also use this stitch any time you need to make a strong seam by hand sewing, so it's useful for mending clothing or making things.
In the video, I'm showing how to combine different embroidery stitches to create an entire design, so be sure to subscribe to the Sewing Lessons From Stitching it Right YouTube channel if you want to see how it turns out.
It's also going to be a handy channel to follow if you want to learn how to sew because there's SO much more planned.
Video Showing the Steps to do the Back Stitch in Hand Embroidery Sewing
To hand embroider the back stitch, prepare your fabric and a threaded needle, then:
Poke the needle through the fabric and pull the embroidery thread through the fabric at the desired starting point.
Move the needle's tip 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch forward then poke it back down through the fabric.
Pull the embroidery thread taut, then poke the needle back up through the fabric about in the center of the stitch.
Move the needle's tip forward the same distance, again, then poke it down through the fabric and pull the embroidery thread tight.
Repeat these first steps over and over until you reach the end of the line you are stitching.
Anchor the thread on the back side of the fabric with two or three tiny stitches that are hidden behind the embroidery floss on the front of the fabric.
Hand embroidery is one of my first loves when it comes to creative sewing, and I'm so excited to start sharing hand embroidery videos to help other learn this awesome way to make beautiful things. Today's episode teaches the most basic of hand embroidery stitches, the straight stitch.
Example of Straight Stitch in Hand Embroidery
Uses for the Hand Embroidery Straight Stitch
In the embroidery tutorial video shared here, I used the straight stitch to create a border for a quilt square.
This stitch is also called the running stitch, and it is the same hand sewing stitch used for hand-basting in garment-making.
You can use this stitch with regular thread instead of embroidery floss to quickly mend ripped seams in garments, too.
The square shown in the video has a button I attached in an earlier episode of Sewing Lesson From Stitching it Right. The button is going to be the center of a flower, and if you like the way this freehand embroidered flower looks when I get to the final episide, how to make it yourself will be shown in videos, and you can follow them through one by one.
Each video is short, so you can do it a step at a time, and you, of course, have the choice to do a step a day or do the entire project in one session if you're excited to get started.
Here's the video, and the written directions are below:
What You Need to Do the Straight Stitch
Embroidery Floss in Storage Case
Embroidery floss: Embroidery floss, like regular thread, should be cut in sections no longer than 18 inches long.
This reduces the chance of it tangling while you're working. Embroidery floss is crafted from three strands of fiber twisted together.
When you want a heavy effect, like I did for the border shown in the video, use a fairly large needle and expect it to pull fairly hard as you tug the floss through the fabric.
(You can actually hear it pop a few times in the video because I had to pull so hard.)
For most embroidery, you'll want to split the floss into either two or three strand sections because it still gives off a kind of luxe effect but it's easier to work with and does less damage to the fabric, and I'll put up a quick video to show you how to do that.
Embroidery needle: You may be able to get by with 'just any hand sewing needle" - there is, however, a difference in embroidery needles tha tmakes them ideally suited to hand embroidery and worth the effort to seek out when shopping for hand embroidery supplies.
Embroidery needles are designed with longer, narrower eyes than regular hand sewing needles.
The narrow design makes it easier to pull the needle through tightly woven fabric.
The long, narrow eyes in embroidery needles make it easier to feed the embroidery floss through when you're threading them.
Embroidery hoop: It's possible to work without an embroidery hoop, but using one reduces the soreness and stiffness you expereince in your fingers and hands.
When the fabric is properly secured in an embroidery hoop, it's easier to see what you're doing.
It also gives you more control over the fabric and needle so you can make sure you stitches land right where you want them.
Fabric: Not trying to be facetious here, but you have to have something to embellish or practice sewing on when you're learning to do the straight stitch.
If it's your first time trying this stitch, you may want to grab a scrap of fabric or an old garment that's worn out so you can practice as long as you want.
If you're ready to add your straight stitches to a project as an embellishment, make sure the fabric is smooth, ideally in an embroidery hoop, but you can do it by working slowly and carefully even if you don't have one.
Thimble: Thimbles are optional, but can save your fingers some soreness, especially if you're working on a tightly woven fabric and using all six fibers of the embroidery floss.
Steps for Making the Straight Stitch
Prepare the needle: Thread the needle and tie one end of the embroidery floss.
Adjust the floss so the loose end is about four inches higher than the knot.
Start Embroidering: Poke the needle through from the back of the fabric and pull the thread through all the way.
Move the tip of the needle between 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch, depending on the effect you're trying to create, and poke it down through the fabric.
Repeat the steps over and over until you reach the end of the area you're embellishing.
Anchor the stitches: With the needle on the back side of the fabric, make two or three tiny stitches that are hidden under the previous stitches, then cut off the thread ends.
Thanks for visiting Stitching it Right, be sure to visit our YouTube Channel, Sewing Lessons From Stitching it Right or hop over to our Facebook page for quick answer to any sewing-related questions you may have.
Hand embroidery is an old craft that has been practiced since the ages of your grandma and her mother. This involves motifs and needle works. You can learn this craft easily but it takes a lot of practice and patience to master the art of hand embroidery. One who is confident about her creativity and artistic sense then she should try out hand embroidery as a hobby or profession. In fact the hand-embroidered stuffs are so popular among the users that they are sold at a high price. This shows that hand embroidery is a pretty good choice to earn the living.
Stitches Used in Hand Embroidery
There are quite a number of simple and complicated stitches, which are used to make different stuffs with hand embroidery. The simple ones are satin stitch, chain stitch and back stitch. The chain stitch can be used to make the flowers and other figures as it gives a round shaped knot-like look to the stitched area. Satin stitch gives a comparatively fuller look and even look and this is the reason they are used to fill up the figures of the design. Then there are other stitches like Outline or Stem Stitch, Whipped Running Stitch, Crossed Backstitch etc. The stitches that are used for outlining are quite simple and often give a look like a continuous line.
Types of Hand Embroidery
Some of the most popular types of hand embroideries are Cross-stitch, Canvas work, ribbon embroidery, Black work embroidery and Bargello embroidery. In Cross-stitch an x-like design is made with the help of the threads and needles and various interesting floral and other patterns can be made with this particular type of embroidery.
Canvas work can be used with yarns and this can be done on various textures like synthetic material or silk. Ribbon embroidery is all about making the patterns with ribbons, which is probably the most romantic form of hand embroidery. The Black work embroidery is the type where the work is done using the black threads. Bargello is done on the woolen canvas and it involves stitches, which can be horizontal or vertical.
Usage of Hand Embroidery
Hand embroidery is used to prepare various utility items as well as artworks. Generally the hand embroidery is used in the women's garments and they are priced quite high because of their aesthetic appeal to the users. This technique is used to make covers of upholstery, cushions, pillow covers etc.
You can also get various artworks like wall hangings, paintings and bags where hand embroidery is used for its exceptional beauty. These exquisite designs are made using the simple ingredients like needle, threads and some patterns. But the beauty of the product lies in the skills of person who is doing the hand embroider
About the Author
April Kerr owns website Start Embroidery which has details of where to buy discount embroidery supplies including the cheapest silk embroidery threads and cheap embroidery machines .
