Basic embroidery stitches for beginners

Running Stitch

Running Stitch is one of the most basic hand embroidery stitches, on which all other forms of sewing are based. The stitch is worked by passing the needle in and out of the fabric. The needle is continuously pushed through the cloth, starting on one side and ending on the other side.

Running Stitch is widely used in textile arts and crafts. You can use this basic embroidery stitch for surface hand embroidery, mending, hand sewing, patchwork, or quilting.

This basic hand embroidery technique works great for outlines, lettering, borders, or filling. Some hand embroidery techniques like Sashiko or Kantha are made with only this stitch. In the article “Running Stitch and its Variations,” you can learn more about this embroidery technique and how to use it for different needs.

Backstitch

The Backstitch has a vital role in hand embroidery. This hand embroidery technique forms continuous lines, and we mainly use it to outline shapes and add fine detail to an embroidered picture. This hand embroidery technique also works great for embroidering lettering and is an indispensable part of composite decorative stitches.

This fundamental hand embroidery stitch can be worked straight and curved. Stitches of different lengths will allow you to make even the most minor and most detailed curves.

If you are curious to learn more about this needlework technique, the article “Backstitch and its variations. Hand embroidery stitches from the Backstitch family” dives deeper into variations and composite stitches made with Backstitch.

Chain Stitch

Chain Stitch is a basic hand embroidery stitch in which a series of looped stitches form a chain-like pattern. This embroidery technique is simple, fast to learn, and has various applications:

• Outlines
• Lettering
• Border designs
• Filling
• As a part of composite stitches

If you already know how to embroider basic Chain Stitch, take one step further and watch a video lesson, “Chain Stitch Mastery: Unlock Secrets of Chain Stitch Hand Embroidery!” for more advanced techniques.

Split Backstitch

A Split Backstitch is a variation of the Backstitch that creates a smooth, continuous line. Note that this technique is different from the Split stitch! If you are curious, watch a video tutorial, “Split stitch vs. split backstitch. What is the difference?” to learn the difference.

It is easy to embroider straight lines and curves with Split Backstitch. For this reason, use it for:

• Outlines
• Lettering
• Simple borders

Bullion Stitch

Bullion Knot is a decorative hand embroidery technique from the knot stitch family. The stitches may vary in length and form bulky knots or longer caterpillar shapes.

Bullion knot is a very decorative stitch and has vast application options. In botanical designs, we use Bullion knots to depict flowers, leaves, and berries. Besides that, bullion knots are often a part of composite stitches, border decor, and decorative edging. This dimensional stitch creates an engaging surface if we use this hand embroidery technique for filling.

For further learning, read the article “Six Bullion stitch flowers. Step-by-step hand embroidery guide” on this Blog to learn how to embroider six types of flowers: Daisy, Rose, Fan flower, Lavender, Forget Me Not, and Clover with only one stitch – Bullion Knot.

Blanket Stitch

Blanket Stitch is one of the most versatile yet basic hand embroidery stitches. It is often mistaken for Buttonhole stitch, yet these two are different embroidery techniques. You can learn more about the “Difference between Blanket and Buttonhole stitches” on the Blog.

Blanket stitch is a universal embroidery technique. You can use this stitch for:

• Borders
• Outlines
• To secure the edges
• For mending

If you want to learn more about this technique and how to use it in your projects, read more about sewing with Blanket stitch, filling with Blanket stitch, and filling in circles with Blanket stitch.

Stem Stitch

The Stem Stitch is one of the basic embroidery stitches that every hand embroidery beginner should learn. It forms a rope-like line and is indispensable in botanical embroidery.

Stem Stitch is handy for outlines, curves, waves, or tiny circles. Therefore, you can use it for lettering and borders. Also, the Stem Stitch works well as an outline for the Padded Satin stitch. Besides that, you can use it for filling too.

Long and Short Stitch

Long and Short Stitch is a hand embroidery technique for filling. A series of straight stitches of various lengths are positioned to cover the fabric surface smoothly.

This hand embroidery stitch is popular amongst hand embroidery enthusiasts and is widely used in different embroidery styles. The thread painting technique is popular in modern freehand embroidery for shading flower petals, leaves, birds, and animals.

Long and Short Stitch looks excellent in a single color, but you can create gradual color changes, too. Check out the video tutorial below and see how I used 3 colors to create a simple, gradual color change.

For further learning, read the article “Long and Short Stitch for Round Shapes. Learn how to Embroider a Sphere and a Circle” and make your shapes filled with this basic embroidery stitch look less basic.

Satin Stitch

Satin Stitch is a basic hand embroidery technique for filling, worked in close, parallel rows. The stitch is worked by carrying the thread across the shape to be filled and returning underneath the material next to the made stitch. The stitches may be performed in any direction and may vary in size, for example, when filling in a leaf shape or a heart shape, like in this sampler.

Satin Stitch is excellent for:

• Filling small areas
• Lettering
• Depicting flowers, leaves, or other botanical elements
• As a base for composite decorative stitches

French Knot

French Knot Stitch hand embroidery is a textural decorative hand embroidery technique. It has many uses – from filling areas and accent stitches to being a part of complex composite stitches as a lattice stitch.

The French knot is an embroidery technique in which the thread is knotted around itself in a specific way to create a voluminous knot on the surface of the fabric. It can be used as:

• Detached decorative stitch. Use it like the center of the flower, a dot to depict the eye of the bird, berries on the tree, or the dots in lettering.
• Filling stitch. French knots, positioned close to each other will create a voluminous, textural filling.
• Outline stitch. When positioned on the mark, close to each other, French knots will make a decorative border or outline.
• Stitch for sewing. If you are decorating with sequins, French knots will be handy for securing them to the fabric.

Tulip Stitch

Tulip Stitch is a decorative variation of the Chain Stitch – a detached Chain Stitch with an extra slipped stitch to form decorative petals. This stitch is simple to make and can add floral vibes to your borders or decorated seams.

You can embroider it as a detached stitch or in horizontal or vertical straight lines. Use this stitch for borders, to decorate the seams, or as an accent detached stitch. It will look great in floral design to create small tulip flowers or as a part of more significant floral motives.

Fern Stitch

Fern Stitch embroidery is a simple hand embroidery stitch from the Straight stitch family. This stitch is formed from three straight stitches and can be embroidered in lines, rows, or even detached stitches. This embroidery stitch looks excellent in straight and curved lines and has multiple uses in textile arts:

• Use it for fancy outlines.
• Embroider this stitch as a decorative border.
• Make powdered filling with isolated Fern stitches.
• Depict the branches, vines, or other parts of the plants in the botanical embroidery with Fern stitch.
• Use this embroidery stitch in applique work to hold down applied fabric.
• Add this playful stitch to your crazy quilts.
• Use Fern stitch for mending projects – to reinforce the worn-out fabric or to attach the patches.
• Utilize Fern embroidery stitch for beadwork. This stitch looks great if you add some beads to it.

Cross Stitch

Cross stitch is a basic stitch that is simple to make, fast to learn, and has various applications in hand embroidery, sewing by hand, mending, and other needlework techniques.

You can use Cross Stitch for various purposes:

• As a single detached decorative stitch. Add add details or decorative elements to your design.
• Embroidered in a row, Cross Stitch will create a nice border, bold outline, or decorative embellishment.
• Filling with Cross Stitch is a traditional way to use this basic embroidery technique in counted thread embroidery.

Chevron Stitch

A Chevron Stitch embroidery is a zig-zag-shaped stitch done between two parallel lines. The lines can be straight and curved.

Tiny horizontal straight stitches are connected with diagonal lines to make this beautiful stitch.

The Chevron stitch is an embroidery technique often used for lines and borders.

Besides its decorative purpose, the Chevron stitch is excellent for sewing and mending. It is slightly elastic. Therefore, you can use it for the borders of the garments. This stitch is a practical choice for reinforcing seams or adding decorative edges to the fabric. Its robust structure makes it ideal for durable items like table linens or denim.

Feather Stitch

Feather Stitch is a decorative surface embroidery stitch created by positioning the loops of Fly stitches one under the other in an offset manner. This technique creates a decorative line that can be straight or curved.

Feather Stitch is a versatile and antique embroidery technique that is used in various styles, from traditional Crewelwork to intricate Stumpwork, Ribbon embroidery, and even Crazy Quilting.

In modern surface embroidery, the Feather stitch technique is used in botanical embroidery for decorative outlines or borders.

Fishbone stitch

Fishbone Stitch is a basic embroidery technique that is a staple in my stitch library. It is simple, fast to learn and indispensable in botanical or floral embroidery.

The Fishbone embroidery stitch has various applications, from fashion to home décor to textile art. Its leafy structure makes it ideal for floral designs, and its texture adds depth to any piece.

Fishbone stitch embroidered in a row will create a gorgeous border design for home textiles or garments.

Lazy Daisy

Lazy Daisy embroidery stitch is a very popular basic decorative stitch. It is a variation of the Chain Stitch, where detached chain stitches are positioned in a circle to form a simple flower.

This hand embroidery technique is decorative and fast to make. You can use it in botanical embroidery, for mending, crazy quilting, and for other decorative purposes.

Besides fabric crafts, this hand embroidery technique also works great for paper embroidery.

Woven rose

Woven Rose, also known as Woven wheel or a Spider wheel stitch is a composite decorative hand embroidery stitch from the Weaving stitch family. To create a woven flower with this stitch, start with 5 (or another odd number) spokes positioned in a circle. Then, you will weave a thread around these spokes.

This stitch creates a nice raised voluminous circle and is famous for making flowers.

The volume of the flower will depend on the embroidery thread you choose and the tension of the weaving stitches. In my 18 Basic Hand Embroidery Stitches sampler, a Woven Rose flower is embroidered with all six strands of pink embroidery floss.