Beginner Hand Embroidery Stitches
10 Beginner Embroidery Stitches:
Straight Stitch
Bring the needle up through the fabric from the underside of the fabric. Pull it all the way through and insert it back down through the fabric in a straight line.
Back Stitch
Bring the needle up through the fabric and then insert it back down slightly ahead of the starting point. Next, bring the needle back up through the fabric a short distance in front of the first stitch, and then insert it back down at the end of your last stitch. Repeat.
Whipped Back Stitch
This stitch builds on the regular back stitch. You will go back through and snake your yarn through the middle of each back stitch. You will enter through the same side each time!
Chain Stitch
Bring the needle up through the fabric and insert it back down at the same point, leaving a loop of yarn. Next, bring the needle up through the fabric a short distance ahead coming up through the loop. Pull the yarn tight to form the first chain stitch. Continue this process. Come up through the loop each time forming a chain-like effect.
Lazy Daisy Stitch
Bring the needle up through the fabric and insert it back down at the same point, leaving a loop of yarn. Bring the needle up through the fabric a short distance ahead coming up through the loop, and then insert your needle back down on the other side of the loop.
French Knot
Wrap the yarn around the needle a few times near the fabric surface and insert the needle back down close to where it came up. Holding the wraps to the side, gently pull the needle to the back of the fabric to form a tight knot, adjusting the tension as needed for the desired size of the knot.
Stem Stitch
First make a small straight stitch. Then, bring the needle up through the middle of the previous stitch, keeping the yarn above the needle. Repeat this process, keeping your stitches even and the tension consistent to create a smooth, continuous line.
Woven Wheel
Make a small wheel shape with 5 evenly spaced spokes using straight stitches. Then, weave the yarn under and over the spokes in a circular motion, filling in the wheel. Continue weaving until the wheel is completely filled, then bring your needle under the stitches to the back.
Satin Stitch
Bring your needle up at one edge of the area and down directly opposite, creating smooth, parallel stitches that completely cover the fabric underneath. Ensure each stitch is close to the previous one to achieve a seamless, satin-like finish.
Leaf Stitch
Bring your needle up at the tip of the leaf, then take it down slightly to one side of the leaf's center line, bringing it back up again on the opposite side, mirroring the angle. Continue alternating sides, gradually working your way up the leaf, keeping your stitches slightly angled to mimic the natural veins of a leaf.
Common Shapes & Stitches:
