How to Back Stitch in Embroidery

Use smaller stitches around curves to keep the line smooth.

The back stitch is one of the easiest hand embroidery stitches. It makes a clean, even line that goes smoothly around curves and corners. Back stitching is particularly good for outlining designs or for adding script or lettering to a project. Learning to back stitch takes only a few minutes and this versatile stitch can be useful in many different kinds of stitch projects.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil or chalk
• Fabric
• Embroidery hoop
• Embroidery floss
• Hand embroidery needle
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Draw or trace your design on the fabric. Use pencil or chalk so that the design can be rubbed or washed away later. It may help to iron the fabric first with steam if the fabric is cotton or linen to smooth the surface and even out the weave.

2. Stretch the fabric in an embroidery hoop, with the design centered in the hoop. The fabric should be taut, but not pulled so tightly that the fabric is skewed or warped.

3. Thread your needle with a single length of floss and tie a small knot in the end of the floss. Bring the point of the needle up from the back of the fabric 1/8 inch in from the beginning of a line in the design and pull the thread through to the knot.

4. Stitch down at the beginning point of the line, backing up from where the stitch began. Pull the thread through to make a tidy stitch.

5. Bring the needle back up from the back of the fabric 1/8 inch farther down the line. Stitch down again at the point where the last stitch ends. Repeat until the entire design has been outlined.

Tips & Warnings

• To add visual interest to a simple outline design, try using variegated floss.

References

• In a Minute Ago: Back Stitch
• Needlecrafter: Stitch Dictionary: B
• Pretty Impressive Stuff: Back Stitch