Embroidery stitch

In everyday language, a stich in the context of embroidery or hand-sewing is defined as the movement of the embroidery needle from the backside of the fabric to the front side and back to the back side. The thread stroke on the front side produced by this is also called stich. In the context of embroidery, an embroidery stich means one or more stiches that are always executed in the same way, forming a figure of recognisable look. Embroidery stiches are also called stiches for short.

Embroidery stiches are the smallest units in embroidery, embroidery patterns are formed by doing many embroidery stiches, either all the same or different ones, either following a counting chart on paper, following a design painted on the fabric or even working freehand.

Common Stitches

Embroidery uses various stitches and combinations of stitches. Each embroidery stitch has a special name to help identify it, and although they are mostly simple to execute, when you put them together the results can be extremely complex.

• back stitch
  • for outlining shapes
• blanket stitch
  • as the name implies, an edging stitch to prevent fraying, but also decorative.
• chain stitch
• cross-stitch (or X-stitch)
• couching
  • Attaching a thread to a piece of fabric by sewing it on. Specialist couching stitches: Pendant couching, Bokhara couching, Square laid work.
• fly stitch
  • Looped stitch, suitable for either repeat or random patterns.
• Holbein stitch
• knots:
  • bullion knots
    • Used as filling stitch or in a line. Worked by twisting thread around the needle.
  • French knots
• lazy daisy stitch
• running stitch
• stem stitch
  • Used for lines and stems, but also used as an infilling stitch.
• whip stitch
• Specialist stitches such as the Quaker stitch used on the Quaker tapestry