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Embroidery Stitches

Described and Illustrated

Embroidery stitches with instructions will supply those who desire to use the needle in the cause of home decoration, and those who take delight in making their homes beautiful, an opportunity to vary or increase their knowledge and efforts.

The embroidery stitches are listed in alphabetical order to make finding the stitch you want easier.


Embroidery Stitches A to Z

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |

N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z


A

Arrow-head Stitch

B

Back Stitch

Backstitched Chain
Worked with heavy thread and contrasting colors makes this stitch very interesting.

To learn more, see Backstitched Chain.

Barred Witch Stitch
See Fancy Herringbone Stitch.

Basket Couching Stitch

Beading Stitch
The Beading Stitch is a loop or knot, formed over the principal thread. It is used where very light sprays of flowers and/or leaves are needed in a design.

To learn more, see Beading Stitch.

Binding Stitch

Bird’s Eye Stitch
The Bird’s Eye Stitch is a sort of chain stitch, from a central point, the loop caught down by a short stitch.

To learn more, see Bird's Eye Stitch.

Blanket Stitch

Blind-Stitch

Border Stitch

Brick Couching

Brick Darning Stitch

Brick Stitch
Brick stitch is really a system of running or darning. A number of rows the same length are stitch horizontally. Rows of stitches are then embroidered vertically, alternating between rows. The result is that of brick work.

To learn more, see Brick Stitch.

Brier Stitch
It is sometimes called Cat Stitch or Coral Stitch as well as other names and is used in sewing as well as in embroidery.

To learn more, see Brier Stitch.

Broad Chain
This stitch is best worked with heavier thread for maximum effect.

To learn more, see Broad Chain.

Bulgarian Stitch
The Bulgarian Stitch is a heavy outline stitch consisting of several rows of Kensington Outline Stitch, set side by side.

To learn more, see Bulgarian Stitch.

Bullion Stitch

Buttonhole Stitches
The buttonhole stitches, also called “Overcast” stitches, are worked in the hand. Other stitches in the Buttonhole Stitch category are the “Fish-net Stitch,” the Honeycomb Stitch, and the “Cat, Brier, or Coral” stitch.

To learn more, see Buttonhole Stitches.

C

Cable Plait Stitch

Cable Stitch
The Cable Stitch is another variation of the Chain Stitch. It is made in the same manner as the Chain Stitch, except that the needle is inserted to the right and a little below the loop preceding.

To learn more, see Chain Stitch Variations.

Cat Stitch
This is another name for the Brier Stitch.

To learn more, see Brier Stitch.

Catch Stitch

Chain Stitch
Also called Plain or Common Chain Stitch. The Chain Stitch is a basic but very important embroidery stitch. It is used mainly for outlining.

To learn more, see Chain Stitch.

Chequered Chain
As the name implies, the finished work is two colors, both threaded into the same needle.

To learn more, see Chequered Chain.

Coral Stitch
This is another name for the Brier Stitch.

To learn more, see Brier Stitch.

Cord Stitch
The Cord Stitch is a twisted stitch made by securing it with a stitch at the farthest side and twisting the needle around and around this laid thread back to the starting point.

To learn more, see Cord Stitch.

Couching Stitch
The couching stitch is a stitch used to "couch" or fasten down cord, silk, or thread to form an outline of a design.

To see the many variations of this stitch, or to learn more, see Couching Stitch.

Covered Knot Stitch

Cross Stitch
This is the first to be learned in doing canvas-work. On Java or ordinary canvas one-half crosses diagonally from left to right, and the other half in just the opposite direction.

To learn more, see Cross-Stitch.

Cushion Stitch

D

Damask Stitch

Darning
The Simple Darning Stitch consists in running parallel lines of alternating stitches.

To learn more, see Darning Stitch.

Diaper Couching Stitch

Dot Stitch

Double Bullion Stitch

Double Buttonhole

Double Chain
This Chain Stitch variation is useful for bands. It is worked between a double line.

To learn more, see Double Chain.

Double Coral Stitch

Double Cross Stitch

Double Leviathan Stitch

Double Matrimony Stitch

Double Net Stitch

Double Outline Stitch

Double Reverse Chain Stitch
Another variation of the Common Chain Stitch and worked like the Single Reverse Chain Stitch except doubled.

To learn more, see Chain Stitch Variations.

Double Running Stitch
To learn more, see Holbein Stitch.

E

Embossed Button-hole Stitch

F

Fancy Herringbone Stitch
The Fancy Herringbone Stitch is also known as the Barred Witch Stitch. The addition of another thread, possibly in a different color can create a beautiful stitch.

To learn more, see Fancy Herringbone Stitch.

Feather Stitch

Filling Cross Stitch
See Janina Stitch.

Filling Stitch

Filling-in Black Stitch

Fish-net Stitch

Flat Spider Stitch

French Knot

Frill Basket Stitch

G

German Stitch

Gobelin Stitch
The Gobelin Stitch is a filling stitch much like the Kensigton Filling Stitch except it is strictly regular instead of irregular. It forms a complete surface of stichery.

To learn more, see Gobelin Stitch.

Gordian Knot Stitch

Grouped Star Stitches

H

Half Solid Kensington

Half-back Stitching

Hem Stitch

Herringbone Stitch
This stitch is also known as the Witch Stitch. The beauty of this stitch depends entirely upon the execution. Every stitch requires to be put in at an exact distance from the last.

To learn more, see Herringbone Stitch.

Holbein Stitch
The Holbein stitch, which goes by a number of other names, is most commonly used in blackwork.

To learn more, see Holbein Stitch.

Honeycomb Stitch
The Honeycomb Stitch is used to draw together in an ornamental pattern the gathers on clothing but is also for all kinds of decorative gathering. Care must be taken when using this stitch.

To learn more, see Honeycomb Stitch.

I

Irish Stitch

Iron Berlin work

Ismit Stitch
The Ismit Stitch, also known as the Turkish Cross Stitch, is an adaptation of the Herringbone Stitch and is used to fill long leaves and petals and is generally seen in conventional roses.

To learn more, see Ismit Stitch.

Italian Stitch
See Holbein Stitch.

J

Janina Stitch
The Janina stitch, also known as the Filling Cross Stitch, is often used when embroidering leaves. It can have many different looks depending on how it is stitch.

To learn more, see Janina Stitch.

K

Kensington Stitch
The Kensington stitch is also known as "Solid Embroidery", the “Feather Stitch” stitch, and by some as just the repetition of the Long and Short Stitch.

To learn more, see Kensington Stitch.

Kensington Outline Stitch
The Kensington stitch is one of the most used outline stitches. It is a reverse back stitch and , although care must be taken with to hide the outline on the material, is an easy stitch to master.

To learn more, see Kensington Outline Stitch.

Knot Stitch
The Knot stitch is also called Knotted. It is used in embroidery to form lines decorated at set distances with Knots. It is also used in Drawn Work to tie threads together in variously arranged patterns. There are many variations of this stitch.

To learn more, see Knot Stitch.

Knotted Stitch
See Knot Stitch.

L

Ladder Stitch
The ladder stitch, often used in ornamental embroidery. As it’s name implies, the embroidery pattern looks like a ladder. After the stitching is complete, the fabric is cut away from between the stitching.

To learn more, see Ladder Stitch.

Laid Stem Stitch
To learn more, see Raised Overcast Stitch.

Lattice Stitch

Lazy Daisy Stitch
also known as the Link Stitch, is a popular chain stitch variation. Use often to embroider daisies and other simple flowers.

To learn more, see Lazy Daisy Stitch.

Leaf Stitch

Leviathan Stitch

Line or Double Line Stitch
See Holbein Stitch.

M

Mexican Stitch

Mourning Hem Stitch

N



O

Open Chain
is a member of the Chain stitch family. It is suitable for bands and is worked between two lines.

To learn more, see Open Chain.

Outline Stitches
Outline stitches, which there are many, are stitches that follow the outline of a design and are usually considered as accessory only to others. Very good work, however, may be done with them alone.

To learn more, see Outline Stitches.

Overcast Stitch
Overcast stitch is an outline stitch made somewhat like the Satin Stitch but without varying width.

To learn more, see Overcast Stitch.

Overlap Stitch

P

Pattern Darning Stitch
When the Pattern Darning Stitch is employed, all the work is done upon the background, and the design is left clear.

To learn more, see Pattern Darning Stitch.

Persian Cross Stitch
See Ismit Stitch.

Persian Stitch

Plain flat couching

Plush Stitch

Plush Stitch

Point de Bruxelies

Point de Feston

Point de Riz
Point de Riz is another name for the Rice Stitch.

To learn more, see Rice Stitch.

Point Russe

Q

Queen Anne Stitch
The Queen Anne, or Weaving Stitch, is a regular, fine darning stitch. Darning, of various kinds, is now largely used in embroidery, principally in backgrounds.

To learn more, see Queen Anne Stitch.

R

Railway Stitch

Raised Chain Band
This stitch is a good border stitch which straight threads are made at right angles to the direction of the border.

To learn more, see Raised Chain.

Raised Overcast Stitch
The Raised Overcast Stitch is sometimes called the Laid Stem Stitch. It gives a heavy raised outline effect suitable for elaborate work.

To learn more, see Raised Overcast Stitch.

Reverse Cat Stitch

Reverse Chain Stitch

Rice Stitch
The Rice Stitch is used extensively in Rice Embroidery, which is a White Embroidery. It is used as a fill-in stitch and is quite easy to do.

To learn more, see Rice Stitch.

Robe Stitch

Roman Stitch


Rope Stitch
Rope Stitch gives a heavy twisted effect, which is much richer than any of the other Chain Stitches.

To learn more, see Chain Stitch Variations.

Running Stitch

S

Satin Stitch
The Satin Stitch consists of placing parallel stitches completely over a given form, allowing no break in the surface.

To learn more, see Satin Stitches.

Scallop Stitch

Seed Stitch
The seed stitch is quite a versatile stitch. It can be used for texture and even shading.

To learn more, see Seed Stitch.

Ship-Ladder Stitch

Simplex Stitch

Single Brier Stitch

Single Reverse Chain Stitch
The Single Reverse Chain Stitch is a variation of the Common Chain Stitch. The same effect as the Common Chain Stitch is achieved, but the method and direction of working it is reversed, hence its name.

To learn more, see Chain Stitch Variations.

Slip or Bind-Stitch

Slip Stitch

Snow Flake Stitches

Solid Button-Hole Stitch

Solid Embroidery Stitch

Solid Kensington Stitch

Spanish Stitch
See Holbein Stitch.

Spanish Laid Work

Spider Web Stitch

Split Stitch
The Split Stitch is a wise choice to use when a narrow outline is required. It may be worked in the hand, however, using a frame will use less silk.

To learn more, see Split Stitch.

Spot Stitch

Star Stitch

Star Stitches

Stem or Outline Stitch

T

Tambour Stitch
The Tambour Stitch is another variation of the Chain stitch and can scarcely be classed strictly as an embroidery stitch. It requires a special needle that has a hook on the end.

To learn more, see Chain Stitch Variations.

Tapestry Stitch

Tent Stitch

Thorn Stitch

Tongue Stitch

Treble Leviathan Stitch

Turkish Cross Stitch
The Turkish Cross Stitch is also known as the Ismit Stitch. It is an adaptation of the Herringbone Stitch and is used to fill long leaves and petals and is generally seen in conventional roses.

To learn more, see Ismit Stitch.

Twisted Chain-Stitch

Twisted Couching Stitch

Twisted Outline Stitch
The Twisted Outline Stitch adds a richness to embroidery pieces. The thread is twisted after being brought up through the fabric and before sending the needle down.

To learn more, see Twisted Outline Stitch.

U



V

Vine Chain Stitch

W

Weaving Stitch
The Weaving Stitch is also known as the Queen Anne Stitch. It is a regular, fine darning stitch.

To learn more, see Queen Anne Stitch.

Wheat Ear
Is a combination of a single chain stitch and a stroke stitch.

To learn more, see Wheat Ear.

Wheat Ear, Continuous
The Continuous Wheat Ear is worked between two lines and is suitable for working grasses and leaves.

To learn more, see Continuous Wheat Ear.

Wheat Ear, Single
The Single Wheat Ear is often used as spot motif.

To learn more, see aSingle Wheat Ear.

Wheel Stitch

Whipped Chain Stitch
Whipped Stitch is a decorative, two color variation of the Chain Stitch.

To learn more, see Whipped Chain.

Witch Stitch
See Herringbone Stitch.

Wound Knot Stitch.

Wound Stitch
The wound stitches are those for the execution of which the thread is turned one or more times around the needle before it is sent through the fabric.

To learn more, see Wound Stitches.

X



Y



Z

Zigzag Chain Stitch
This is another variation of the Chain Stitch. As the name implies, a completed chain of these stitches forms a zigzag pattern.

To learn more, see Zigzag Chain.



A Few Examples

For examples of stitches commonly used in Botanical embroidery, be sure to check out Botanical Stitches.

For examples of a variety of Button-hole stitches, a star pattern, or more botanical stitches, see Fancy Stitches.



If a particular stitch does not have any information or illustration with it, check back soon. Information will be added continually until all embroidery stitches are listed – which could take a while! . If you need information on a particular stitch, please don’t hesitate to contact me.



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