For an unbroken stitched line of hand embroidery, there’s nothing quite like the back stitch! It’s a popular hand embroidery stitch among newer stitchers for its simplicity and clean, modern look. The stitches will cover the lines as long as your thread is thicker than the pattern’s drawn or printed line.
This is a simple outline stitch, and one of the basic embroidery stitches. It is one of the first stitches to learn as a beginner to hand embroidery. Even advanced stitchers use the backstitch often. A back stitch design can be highly decorative, either by itself or combined with other stitches. Its beauty depends on the perfect regularity of the stitch length, which comes with experience. It is easiest to work on even thread-count fabrics, but is perfect as a basic stitch on any fabric!
As the name implies, you take a step back with your needle for each stitch. Each stitch begins where the previous stitch ended. Then you bring your needle up on your drawn line with about the same spacing.
In this article I’ll show you how todo the basic back stitch and two variations – the threaded back stitch and the whipped back stitch.
Here is how to embroider the back stitch by hand.
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Back Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
The back stitch is perfect for outlines in your embroidery projects. It is a versatile stitch that you'll come back to time and again. 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. It forms a continuous line.
It is a simple stitch that is worked from the front side of the fabric.
I prefer using a hoop to make sure that my stitch tension is even.
We've developed a step-by-step tutorial with photos, making it easy for you quickly learn the back stitch.
Materials
- Fabric with your embroidery design
- Embroidery floss or thread of your choice
Tools
- Embroidery needle that is suited for your thread
- Thimble, optional
- Embroidery hoop, optional
Instructions
- The back stitch is worked right to left. Bring the needle up one stitch (A) from the end of your marked line for your design on the front of the fabric. Then stitch "back" one stitch (B) and bring your needle up where the next stitch will end (C). The distance from (B) to (A) and from (A) to (C) should be equal.
- Stitch back one stitch (A) and up one stitch forward (to the left) (D).
- Continue to take one stitch back (C) and one stitch forward (E) until you complete your embroidered line with the back stitch.
- Here are several stitches with the back stitch.
A nice line has even stitches, with the same tension on the thread.
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Here is a video that shows you the basic back stitch, as well as the variations below – the whipped back stitch and the threaded back stitch.
The back stitch is perfect for adding stitches to doodles and sketches, like this happy little pink pig!
Whipped Back Stitch
The whipped back stitch is a variation of the basic embroidered back stitch. The finished stitch has a nice scroll look and is perfect for outlines or lettering. Use either the same thread or a different thread or color for different looks with this easy-to-stitch embellishment.
How to Embroider the Whipped Back Stitch
The Whipped Back Stitch is another variation of the basic back stitch. The finished stitch has a nice scroll look and is perfect for outlines or lettering.
Materials
- Fabric marked with your embroidery design
- Embroidery thread of your choice
Tools
- Embroidery needles
- Embroidery hoop, optional
- Thimble, optional
- Embroidery scissors
Instructions
- Start by stitching the back stitch on your embroidery project. See above for step-by-step tutorial for the back stitch.
Bring the embroidery thread that you are going to use to whip your back stitch up mid-way of the first stitch.
- Take your needle and bring it from the bottom to the top on the next stitch. If the needle catches on threads, you can stitch by sending the smooth eye of the needle through first.
Continue to whip the second embroidery thread around all of your stitches.
- Continue whipping your entire stitch line.
- At the end, take your thread to the back of your work and tie off.
Threaded Back Stitch
The threaded back stitch is a variation of the basic embroidered back stitch. It has a wavy texture that makes a terrific decorative edge for clothing and accessories. The looped back stitch is another name for this stitch.
A single threaded back stitch takes one loop across your basic running stitch. A double threaded back stitch then loops back over the running stitch, forming to form a chain. Both stitches add complexity to your embroidery projects.
Here is how to embroider the threaded back stitch and the double threaded back stitch.
How to Embroider the Threaded Back Stitch
Learn how to embroider the threaded back stitch. Use the same or different threads or colors to make different looks.
Materials
- Fabric with embroidery design
- Embroidery thread of your choice
Tools
- Embroidery needle to suit your thread
- Embroidery hoop, optional
- Thimble, optional
- Embroidery scissors
Instructions
- Start by stitching your line with the back stitch. See how-to directions above.
Bring your needle with the whipping thread up in the middle of the first stitch for the starting point. Thread it down through the 2nd stitch. If your needle catches on threads from the original stitch, you can let the smooth end of the eye of the needle go first.
- Thread your needle and thread up through the next stitch.
- Continue threading your needle and thread for the entire line. You can choose to finish here, which is referred to as the single threaded back stitch.
- Now start threading your thread back to the staring point to form a full loop around the stitches.
- When you get to where you started, bring your needle to the back of your work and tie off. This is referred to as the double threaded back stitch.
- The finished sample of the stitch!
What are the uses of the back stitch?
The back stitch is perfect for outlining shapes and making fine lines within your design. You can use a single strand of six-strand floss for very fine detail work in your embroidery design, or chunky thick threads for a big defined outline to your design.
What are some ways I can make this stitch differently?
- Try using different embroidery threads and flosses for different looks.
- Make smaller stitches for a tighter line that works best for going around tight curves.
- Longer stitches will have a looser look and are good as a fill stitch.
- Use only one strand of floss for a delicate line. Or all six strands of thread for a bold line.
- Combine with other stitches for an interesting outline. Add some French knots on both sides of the line.
What is the difference between back stitch and running stitch?
With the running stitch, you continue stitching forward, with the back stitch, you go backwards with each stitch forming one solid line, instead of the dashed line with the running stitch.
Browse through more hand embroidery tutorials on Create Whimsy.
Other popular embroidery stitches are the stem stitch and French knot.
Back Stitch Embroidery Design Gallery
Check out all of the embroidery tutorials on Create Whimsy and learn how to transfer your embroidery designs to your fabric.
