Pearl stitch embroidery is primarily an outline stitch where you loop the thread through the prior stitch forming a “pearl”. This is a great embroidery stitch for outlines where you want a bit more texture. 6-strand embroidery floss gives greater texture and makes the “pearls” pop, but you can use size 8 Perle cotton, too.
The pearl stitch is a looped stitch that is worked in a line and is great for curved lines.
How to Pearl Stitch Embroidery
Learn how to embroider the pearl stitch with these step-by-step directions with photos. Vary the width of the stitch for different looks.
The pearl embroidery stitch is stitched in a line and perfect for a thick outline, including letters and monograms. The stitches can be made at different widths for different looks. Recommended to use six-strand floss, but using different thicknesses of Perle cotton can provide different looks and textures.
Materials
- Recommended six-strand embroidery floss, can use size 8 Perle cotton
- Fabric for embroidery
Tools
- Embroidery needle suitable for thread choice
- Embroidery hoop
- Embroidery scissors
Instructions
- Start by bringing your needle up at the right end of your line. Place it down at B, just above the baseline and back up at C at the baseline.
- Next, loop your needle through the stitch (D) made between A and B. Make sure to not catch the fabric or pierce the threads! This forms the first "pearl".
- Start the next pearl stitch by putting your needle down above the baseline again (E), and bringing it back up at F.
- Make the next pearl by looping (G) your thread through that stitch.
- Make another stitch by placing your needle in at H and back up at I.
- Make another loop through the stitch (J).
- Continue with this method until you reach the end of your line. You can vary the width of your stitches, as I did in this sample, to get different looks.
Notes
Important: Make sure not to pick up any of the base fabric with your needle. Also, don't accidently split the threads when you take the loop under the stitch - this will impact the look of your stitch.
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Vary the width of your stitches for different looks. Smaller stitches will be a row of small pearls.
Try using variegated threads, giving an interesting look to your line.
This is a perfect outline stitch for letters and monograms, giving a hefty look but still flexible with curves and sharp corners.
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Here is another finished sample of the pearl stitch embroidery:
Here is a close up of the pearl stitch working on a curved line, showing the “pearls” stitches in progress.
The green line in the image below shows the way this stitch is great on curved lines. The blue line shows how if you split the thread and pick up just a part of the six-strand thread with your needle it can impact the nice line of “pearls”.
Is the pearl stitch good for beginners?
Yes! It is a simple stitch that loops your embroidery thread through a stitch before the next side-to-side stitch. It is great for adding texture to your embroidery.
Check out all of the embroidery stitch tutorials on Create Whimsy.
