Outline stitch guide

Running stitch, backstitch, chain stitch and more

Outline stitches are like the pens and pencils of embroidery. You use them to mark out and define the shapes of your designs. Any one of them can be learned in minutes and some will already be familiar even to the newest of stitchers. Grab yourself a piece of scrap fabric and draw a simple shape with a pencil – something like a circle, a petal shape or maybe your initial. This is a great way to start playing with these stitches and getting a feel for them.

Turn the page for some inspiration of what you can achieve using just one or two of these stitches – with a simple outline you can create anything from a funky notebook cover to classic monogrammed gifts.

Build up your repertoire, starting with running stitch and backstitch – you’ll find some fantastic introductory projects on page 24 and 25. For something a little bit different, check out the sashiko notebook on page 32, where you’ll put your running stitch skills into effect with this Japanese technique.

Once you’ve mastered these two, try stem stitch and chain stitch and you’ll feel like a pro when you see how these stitches can help you to achieve perfect curves on your fabric.

Once you’re used to the feel of creating nicely even length stitches

( it won’t take long, we promise) try out split stitch with the pretty leaf projects on page 31, and scallop stitch with the pineapple journal on page 38.

Backstitch

Backstitch is one of the most versatile – and easy – embroidery stitches. It forms a neat line which can be used

alone or to outline other stitches. This stitch should be worked so that all the stitches are the same length with no gaps between them. Bring the needle up at 1, down at 2, up at 3, down at 4, and so on. Continue stitching in this way, always working back on yourself. Now you see

how this stitch got its name.

Split stitch

Split stitch gives a neat outline to any shape. It is very similar

in appearance to chain stitch as the thread is split to form small chain ‘ links’. It is best to use a loosely twisted thread, or work with two strands so that you can easily form the ‘ split’ that gives this stitch its name. Use a sharp needle to split the thread neatly. Bring the needle up at 1, down at 2 and up at

3 but don’t pull it all the way through the fabric. Pull the needle up through the centre of the thread to split it, then

carry on pulling it up through the fabric and thread.