According to Wikopedia, Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn.
To coincide with the launch of my "sew-it-yourself" craft kits, I
thought it would be helpful to post up some more help and advice
online on the common stitches I am suggesting in the kits.
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One of my applique and embroidery craft kits - using using blanket, chain and backstitch
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In this part of my "Embroidery 101" I introduce a number of simple embroidery stitches and provide links to the specific mini tutorials on how to sew them.
Also see my Embroidery 101 general guide, which includes useful information on starting embroidery, with hints and tricks that apply to all stitches.
This is a work in progress blog and more photos and links will be added soon.
Common embroidery stitches
Stab stitching v sewing stitching
These are methods of sewing, rather than specific stitches. But it's useful to understand the difference before you start to embroider - a good way to do this is to try both methods with a running stitch.
Stab stitching - essentially you stab the needle through the fabric each time, passing the whole thread through to the back before returning it to the front again. This is slower, but you have more accuracy over where your stiches will start and finish.
Sewing stitching - this time you mostly leave the thread on the surface, dipping your needle in and out of the fabric before drawing the thread through. This is a much quicker method, but it's harder to control stitch size and position.
While you can often use whichever you prefer, some stitches will require one method more than the other. But have fun experimenting.
Running stitch
This is the stitch we mostly think of when hand sewing two fabrics together - you just pass the needle in and out of the fabric in evenly spaced stitches and gaps, that look the same front and back. A versatile stitch in embroidery, it can be combined with weaving or threading yarns
Back stitch
This is a strong stitch, often used for hand sewing seams, where the thread is doubled back on itself (usually on the reverse of the fabric) to create a continuous line of stitching. It is good in embroidery for straight or curved lines, and for creating solid outlines.
Stem stitch (also known as French or slash stitch)
Similar to back stitch, this returns the thread to the front further back along the previous stitch to create a continuous line of angled stitches. Depending on the exact placement of the needle, the stitches can be long with barely noticible slanting or be short and appear more rope-like.
Blanket stitch
Traditionally used to edge blankets, this stitch can also be used to secure and edge applique patches, as well as as a decorative box-like stitch. It can be worked in both straight and curved lines, and looks good worked around corners.
How to sew blanket stitch tutorial
Using blanket stitch for applique and decorative impact
Herringbone stitch and other crossed stitches
Originating from the loose criss-crossed stitches used to attach interlining fabrics to outer layers (in curtains or tailoring), these are highly decorative and can be used quickly to secure the edges of overlapping or butted together fabrics, as well as as an infill stitch. There are many variations depending on the number of stems and how they are crossed.
Chain stitches, including detached links and Lazy Daisy
Chain stitches are loops that can be work continuously to form a straight or curved lines, or as detached chains - either singly or in a circle to form the flower shape known as Lazy Daisy.
If you are looking for small "sew it yourself" craft kits that feature
embroidery and applique, I have just launched a range on my Etsy and Folksy shops. There are only a few at the moment but I hope to develop more over the next year.
Please respect my design and copyright © - I would be delighted if you use my creations as inspiration for your own ideas, but don't copy them directly.
