How to Stitch an Arrowhead Stitch

An arrowhead stitch, also called an arrow stitch, consists of 2 straight stitches that form a right angle to each other. These stitches can be stitched so that the arrows face left, right, up or down. The directions that follow will show you how to complete arrowhead stitches that point toward the left.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Tapestry needle
• Thread
• Scissors

1. Thread your tapestry needle, securing the thread with a knot at the end of your working thread before inserting it into your embroidery fabric.

2. Insert the threaded needle into the fabric, bringing it up where you would like the center of your first arrowhead stitch to appear.

3. Bring the threaded needle up toward the right upper corner, making a straight diagonal stitch.

4. Push the needle through the fabric to complete the straight diagonal stitch.

5. Come up through the fabric back where you began the first diagonal stitch.

6. Make another straight diagonal stitch, this time working downward and to the right. You should now have 2 straight stitches that form an arrowhead, with the arrow pointing to the left of the fabric.

7. Continue making the arrowhead stitches, securing the thread in the back. Snip it with scissors when you have completed your row or border.

Tips & Warnings

• Arrowhead stitches are often used to form rows, borders or fillers within an embroidery design.
• This easy stitch is often featured in children's craft projects, but it is also a staple for more experienced sewers.
• Arrowhead stitches can be worked horizontally, vertically or diagonally.