Plant some seed stitches on your next embroidery project! Seed Stitch is considered a ‘filler stitch’ so it is great for filling in areas of hand embroidery and adding great texture to your embroidery project. This simple stitch is composed of small straight stitches of equal length placed at random over the surface. Change the directions of each stitch. It goes quickly, and there’s no set pattern – so you have to try really, really hard to make a mistake.
One of the things I like best about this stitch is that it is non-directional – so it looks equally good straight-on, sideways, or off-kilter. Start with single Seed Stitch, then try double Seed Stitch – it’s the same thing, but with two parallel stitches in each position.
The seed stitch has different names and is sometimes referred to as the seeding stitch, rice stitch, or rice grain stitch as it looks like little grains of rice scattered on the fabric. If you work two back stitches into the same hole, it is referred to as a dot stitch.
Here is our tutorial with step-by-step photo illustrations:
How to Embroider the Seed Stitch
The seed stitch is a great filler stitch. Vary the lengths of small straight stitches for different results. Try small stitches closer together, or thicker threads. Here I've used a variegated thread to highlight different colors.
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Materials
- Fabric to embroider
- Embroidery floss or thread
Tools
- Embroidery needle size suitable for your floss or thread
- Embroidery scissors
- Embroidery hoop
Instructions
- Start by bringing your needle up at A and then back down at B to make your first stitch.
- The goal with the seed stitch is to have lots of little stitches fill a space, stitched in random directions. Continue bringing your needle up in an empty space (C), then look and see what direction would be a little different than the stitches around it (D).
- Continue stitching in different directions and filling in your space.
- Here is this piece finished with a single seed embroidery stitch.
- If you'd like, try the double seed embroidery stitch! Go next to stitches you've already completed and add a stitch the same length right next to it.
- Here I've stitched a double seed embroidery stitch around the outside stitches.
Notes
Try different threads and varying your stitch lengths for different looks. Stitch really close together or far apart. Use longer stitches and tiny stitches to create a beautiful texture. Even try crossing your threads for additional fill.
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The Seed Stitch is especially effective in evoking the prickliness (is that even a word?) of this stitched cactus by Laura Wasilowski. (See more whimsical touches as Laura adds to this piece). And if you want some of these gorgeous hand-dyed threads, Laura can fix you up! (Read more about Laura and what inspires her with our Spotlight Interview with Laura Wasilowski on Create Whimsy.)
Here is a sampler using different threads, to show how varying the weight of thread can change the look of this stitch. The stitch looks great using variegated threads.
- Row 1: Pearl cotton size 12
- Row 2: Pearl cotton size 8
- Row 3: Pearl cotton size 5
- Row 4: Pearl cotton variegated size 8
- Row 5: Pearl cotton variegated size 3
- Row 6: Pearl cotton variegated size 5
I wasn’t sure at first, but kept at it. Here is another finished sample of the seed stitch.
More great ideas for seed stitching
- Use thin threads for a fine texture and light design on your art work.
- Vary the length of the individual seed stitches as you work the cloth for a different look. Tiny straight stitches will look different than long stitches.
- This is a great way to add visual interest to the background of an embroidery pattern with lots of little straight stitches.
- It is quick and easy to fill large areas with this stitch.
- Try a series of straight stitches in a row, then turn your fabric 90-degrees and do another series of straight stitches.
- Traditionally this is done with a running stitch, but can also be done with back stitches.
- Try working with different colors of thread, variegated thread, or weights of thread all on the same piece for a contemporary embroidery project.
- Sprinkle beads on your stitches to add some bling to your work.
- Try some metallic threads for reflective images.
Check out more hand embroidery stitches and projects on Create Whimsy! Some of the other great basic stitches are the satin stitch, running stitch, back stitch, and chain stitch.
