Hand Embroidery Techniques

Useful Embroidery Techniques 

1. Back Stitch

How to do it: Bring the needle up, take it one stitch-length backward, and repeat along your line.

Use it for: Outlining shapes, lettering, or detailed linework like flower stems or buildings.

2. Satin Stitch

How to do it: Fill a shape with smooth, closely spaced stitches placed side-by-side, from one edge to the other.

Use it for: Solid shapes like flower petals, fruits, or initials – anything that needs bold colour and smooth texture.

3. French Knot

How to do it: Twist the thread around the needle once or twice, insert it close to the original hole, and gently pull through.

Use it for: Dots, flower centres, textured surfaces like sheep’s wool or berry bushes.

4. Lazy Daisy (Detached Chain Stitch)

How to do it: Create a loop by bringing the needle up, making a small arch, then stitching down at the loop’s end to anchor it.

Use it for: Petals, leaves, or decorative borders – perfect for wildflowers 🌼

5. Chain Stitch

How to do it: Make a series of connected loops by always inserting the needle through the end of the previous loop.

Use it for: Decorative outlines, vines, and swirls – adds a bit of dimension and playfulness.

6. Split Stitch

How to do it: After bringing the needle up, go forward a short distance, then bring it up again splitting the previous stitch.

Use it for: Neat outlines with a textured twist – great for lettering or organic shapes like trees or animals.

7. Stem Stitch

How to do it: Similar to split stitch but slightly to the side – creates a rope-like effect.

Use it for: Curved lines, flower stems, or flowing hair.

8. Woven Rose (Woven Wheel)

How to do it: Start with a star of 5 straight stitches. Weave thread under and over them in a circle to form a rose.

Use it for: Flower designs, especially roses or fancy buttons – looks magical 🌹

9. Running Stitch

How to do it: Basic in-and-out stitch like dashed lines.

Use it for: Borders, clouds, raindrops, or to quilt fabric layers together.

10. Seed Stitch

How to do it: Scatter tiny straight stitches randomly over an area.

Use it for: Texture, shading, or filling in areas like ground, sky, or fur.