How to Stitch a Padded Satin Stitch

The satin stitch can be worked over a foundation of other stitches of padding to create a raised area to add depth. The "padding" can be comprised of rows of the chain stitch or stem stitch or, for a more dramatic effective, pieces of thin felt or card.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Create a design and outline it onto the fabric. Lay the fabric on the embroidery hoop. Place the second hoop on top of the fabric. Make sure to align the fabric.

2. Hold the tail of the thread on the backside of the fabric. Secure it with the first few stitches without knotting the thread.

3. Designate the areas to be filled with the padded satin stitch. Fill in those areas with long satin stitches or chain stitches. Set the stitches for the "padding" at right angles to the finished work.

4. Cut out small shapes of thin felt or card instead of filler stitches for padding. Fix these shapes to the foundation fabric with a bit of fabric glue.

5. Work satin stitches over the "padding" to create raised areas in the stitching. Work the stitches close together and conceal the padding beneath.

6. Finish the stitching by weaving the end of the thread under a few stitches on the backside of the fabric, again without knotting the thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw the design on the fabric with a marking pencil or a another type of transfer method.

Resources

• Visit this source of patterns, supplies and accessories.