How to Make Basic Embroidery Stitches

If you just started to embroider, you can choose a small project to learn basic embroidery stitches. Pre-printed embroidery projects are easy to find at large discount stores or craft shops. The key to success is practice, practice, practice.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Material such as linen, cotton, or damask
• Embroidery hoops in several sizes and shapes
• Embroidery needles in varying sizes
• Sharp scissors
• Embroidery iron-on patterns or pre-stamped projects
• Embroidery thread
• Container such as a divided plastic thread box or embroidery bobbins

1. Work an outline or stem stitch from left to right by bringing the needle up on the right side of the pattern outline and going down on the left side of the line. Start the next stitch in the middle of the first stitch. This stitch is used to outline designs or create stems of leaves and flowers.

2. Use a running stitch to embroider a padded piece, like a quilt or blanket. Move the needle in and out of the material in short even stitches. Make several stitches before drawing the needle completely out of the material and pulling the thread through.

3. Jazz up a plain running stitch with a threaded running stitch in a contrasting color. To make a threaded running stitch, simply weave thread of a contrasting color in and out of the running stitch.

4. Dress up your project with a chain stitch. Make a chain by bringing your thread up through the material. Make a loop and hold it with your thumb, while taking the needle back down the same hole you came up through. Start the next link in the chain by bringing the needle up through the material, just inside the top of the first loop.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase embroidery supplies at any hobby and craft store or in the craft section of large retail chain stores. Check out the Internet for free pattern designs.
• Choose a pre-stamped project or an iron on pattern with a simple design for your first project.
• Outline the design in an outline or stem stitch in one color. Then use a contrasting color to whip stitch over the outline stitch,adding an extra element of color and design to your project.
• Start all stitches on the wrong side of the material by repeating several stitches, one over the other. Don't make knots in the end of your thread or the finished piece will not lie flat.
• Don't pull the thread too tight, as this will make your material pull and pucker. Stitches should be taut, but never tight.

Resources

• Visit this site for line drawings of each stitch explained above
• Learn Counted Cross Stitch in just 5 minutes.
• Find an embroidery group near you.

[barbarabecker]

on 8/12/2009 Once you get the hang of it, you can use embroidery for a number of designs and embellishments. Over on my crafting website, FaveCrafts, we have a number of great free embroidery patterns like the adorable frog pattern you can find here: http://www.favecrafts.com/Embroidery/Frog-Embroidery-Design

This would be great for a kid's backpack or little girl's purse!