My Favorite Stitches:

My studio is full of wonderful tools, machines, threads, and fabrics to make every quilt or every hand-stitched project a joy to create.

Yes, I have several sewing machines – each with its own name and different uses. Even with these fabulous machines, I find great pleasure in handwork. Sometimes referred to as slow-stitching or needlework, any work that uses your hand, a needle, and thread creates a wide assortment of projects and effects.

Some of the “slow-stitching” techniques include embroidery, crochet, knitting, tatting, candlewicking, needlepoint, crewel, applique, lacework, cross-stitch, and many, many more. I have tried my hand at most of these and enjoy most of them. 

With great thanks to my Aunt Nancy and Aunt Helen, I have been introduced to these techniques and have expanded my skills.

My focus today is on hand-embroidery stitches. There are probably hundreds of embroidery stitches available; however, the basics can certainly take your projects far! My favorite embroidery stitches are pictured and demonstrated below.

Straight Stitch or Running Stitch:

This stitch is the beginning of all projects. It is used for outlining shapes, adding detail, or adding visual interest to larger projects. Sashiko stitching is a Japanese technique using the running stitch. 

How to do a Running Stitch:

1. Thread the needle and place a small knot at the end of the thread. 
2. Start from the back of the fabric and bring the needle up to the front. 
3. Push the needle back through the fabric at a short distance to create the stitch. The distance between stitches can be varied by the space between each stitch.
4. Continue weaving the needle in and out of the fabric, creating a series of stitches. You can take one stitch at a time or weave the needle back and forth to make multiple stitches, then pull the thread through the fabric. Tracing lines in chalk helps keep stitches going in the direction you want them to go.
5. Finish the stitch by tying a knot on the back side of the fabric. 

Benefits of this stitch:

This is a favorite stitch for basting in many projects, including clothing and appliqué. It is frequently used as the base for many other dramatic stitches. 

Stem stitch:

This traditional stitch creates a distinctive, continuous, and rope-like line with a slightly twisted, flowing texture. It is formed by overlapping small stitches, where each new stitch starts by bringing the needle up halfway along the previous stitch’s length. This stitch is ideal for embroidery projects involving floral designs, and is also popular for lettering and curved lines.

How to do a Stem Stitch

1. Begin by making a straight stitch into the fabric and bringing your needle up from the back. 
2. Make the next stitch by bringing the needle up halfway along the previous stitch’s length. 
3. Continue the pattern by moving the next stitch forward a full stitch length, but this time, bring your needle up at the end of the previous stitch. This may sound confusing, however, watching a friend or video is a sure way to master this stitch fast!

Benefits of this stitch:

Smaller stitches create a more refined appearance. This stitch complements the other stitches quite well for a very pleasing effect.

Back Stitch

The back stitch is a versatile embroidery and hand-sewing stitch that creates a strong, solid line by working backward over previously made stitches

How to do a back stitch:

1. Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric, at the starting point of your line or pattern. 
2. To make the first stitch, place your needle a short distance forward (this becomes your “stitch length”) and bring it back down through the fabric. 
3. Make the second stitch by moving the needle forward again (your designated stitch length and underneath the fabric), but bring it back down into the same hole where your first stitch ended. 
4. Continue the process by bringing the needle up a stitch length ahead (underneath), then returning to the end point of the previous stitch to make your next stitch. 

Benefits of this stitch:

This stitch is one of the strongest and most resembles a machine stitch. It is the ideal stitch for outlining shapes, patterns, letters, and other designs. The stitch length can be adapted to fit angles, curves, and lines. 

*A neat feature of the back stitch is that the underside of your project using this stitch will look exactly like the stem stitch!

Whatever project I am working on, these three stitches make an appearance everywhere.

When you are beginning to learn embroidery or experimenting with threads and stitches, be sure to start with these three. They will take you far!

These are a few of my favorite stitches. What are yours?