Hand embroidery is so relaxing, and small projects can go anywhere with you. There are a gazillion stitches out there. (Sometimes we invent our own if we embrace little slips and make them a repeating pattern!) I find that I go back to a reliable list of stitches that bring me success. If the blogging world is any indication, I am not alone! Here are 10 easy embroidery stitches to embellish your projects.
We’ve put these stitches together in a sampler in a 6-inch hoop. Most of the design was freehand embroidered (meaning no lines were drawn, just needle and thread having fun stitching together!). For the lines at the bottom of the sampler, I used a Frixion pen to draw the line before stitching. ALWAYS test whatever fabric marking tool you like to use on a sample of each fabric you’ll be marking before you start, to make sure the marks remove as you’d like. Frixion pens are great because the marks are usually easily removed with a shot of steam from your iron. But, I have found a few fabrics where I need to use other options, as the Frixion pen left a small faint line. Check out our article that covers many ways to transfer your embroidery designs to fabric.
10 Easy Embroidery Stitches
With these 10 easy embroidery stitches you can embroider just about anything - from flowers to monograms. Play around with these stitches and their variations to embellish clothes, accessories and home dec items.
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Running Stitch is a basic stitch used for outlines. It is the basic and most simple stitch and the building block for many other stitches.
Looking for a little more interest with the running stitch? Try the whipped running stitch and the laced running stitch.
Stem Stitch is a great stitch for, um, just that, stems! It’s also a great outline stitch with the way the threads make a scroll type design the way they are stitched for the stem stitch.
One of the basic embroidery stitches, the French Knot can fill a space on its own. It is also a great combination stitch to use with other stitches to add texture and interest. Once you get the rhythm of wrapping the thread around the needle, the French knot will become one of your favorite embroidery stitches.
Fly Stitch is a great stitch to add movement to a piece, create a fern-like line or even seaweed background.
The back stitch is perfect for outlines in your embroidery projects. Use it for lettering or monograms to personalize a message or garment.
The back stitch not only makes great straight lines, it is perfect for outlining curves, making it one of the most popular basic stitches.
Variations on the back stitch are the whipped back stitch and the threaded back stitch.
Chain Stitch is great for filling in spaces quickly and easily, or making bold lines on a piece. Threads are looped around the needle before the stitch is taken to make a chain.
Seed Stitch is used to visually fill a space with small stitches that go all directions. It looks intimidating, but is really easy and goes quickly.
Feather Stitch might look complex, but is really easy. You pick a line to be your base, then take loops with your thread to the right and left along the base line. It’s great as a border, to give a full outline to an element and filling space.
Detached Chain (Lazy Daisy) make happy daisies! Flowers can be made in all shapes and sizes, as many loops as you want! Make them bright and happy, or as a small background pattern. Make them whole, or only sew 3 loops to simulate a flower bud.
Couching is technique where fibers are laid across the surface of a textile and attached with small stitches. The fibers can be yarns or strips of fabric. Attaching can be with either hand stitches or embroidery, or with a machine stitch. Generally couching on a sewing machine uses a special foot.
Browse through more hand embroidery projects to inspire you! And, then check out our embroidery tutorials to learn these stitches and more!
