The overcast stitch for hand embroidery is very different than the overcast stitch on a sewing machine or serger. In hand embroidery, it helps keep down a thread to give more texture to a line. It is also referred to as the trailing stitch. The stitches are made upright over another thread and resemble a fine cord. It is used for outlines or delicate stems.
This is stitch #39 on my journey to do an embroidery sampler of 100+ stitches.
You begin by bringing the threads that you will stitch over up at the beginning of the line, and lay it with your fingers along your line.
This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners. Your purchases via these links may benefit Create Whimsy. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
Bring the thread that you’ll overcast with up at the same spot and do a vertical straight stitch over the laid threads.
Here are the first few stitches.
It took a bit to hold the laid threads down and do the overcast stitch.
I’m on a roll. Some of my stitches aren’t exactly the same height – I need to practice!
And, the finished 4″ sample of the overcast stitch in hand embroidery! My lines aren’t the straightest, but, this is a sampler!
Check out all of the embroidery projects on Create Whimsy!