How to Embroider

It's not difficult to learn how to embroider. With just a little practice you can embroider stitches on garments, pillowcases, throw pillows. Create your own one-of-a-kind designs or find free embroidery patterns on the internet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• muslin or linen remnant
• embroidery thread
• embroidery needle
• scissors
• thimble (optional)

1. 
   Herringbone stitch.

   One of the easiest stitches to embroider is the herringbone stitch. To make this stitch, bring your needle up at the 1 mark, down at 2, up at 3, pull through and down at 4. Continue with this pattern until you are pleased with your stitching.

2. 
   Fly stitch.

   To embroider the fly stitch, bring your needle up at 1 and down at 2, forming a V shape as you do so. Now bring your needle up at 3 inside the stitch formed and down again on 4.

3. 
   Feather stitch.

   To make the Feather embroidery stitch, bring your needle up at the 1 position and down at 2, forming a V shape as you go. Bring needle up at the 3 mark, then directly across and down forming another V shape.
   
   When ready to end the Feather stitch, bring needle up through the last loop and straight down outside of that loop.

4. 
   Satin stitch.

   To learn how to embroider the Satin stitch is fairly simple. The satin stitch is used to fill in outlined sections with your embroidery stitches.
   
   Looking at the picture to the left, position your needle at the 1 mark. Go up at the odd numbers and down at the even numbers. Stitches should be touching but not overlapping.

5. 
   French knot.

   Embroidery stitches can make a point too. (sorry for the pun). Here's how to embroider the easy French Knot. Bring needle up through the back of the fabric. Wrap embroidery floss around the tip of the needle and bring the needle down directly next to your starting position. You've just made a French Knot. :)

6. 
   Running stitch.

   To embroider a running stitch, first look at the picture. You'll see the running stitch is merely a series of straight stitches with a stitch length equal to the space between stitches.
   
   Up at 1, down at 2, space, up at 3, down at 4, space. Do this until you've perfected your spacing.

7. 
   Lazy Daisy stitch.

   Embroidery stitches can be playful too. Use the Lazy Daisy stitch when you want to make daisies.
   
   Bring needle up at 1 and down at 2, forming a loop. Bring needle up at 3. Keep loop below point of the needle. Take needle back down at 4 to anchor the loop. The loops will become the petals of your daisy flower.

8. 
   Embroidery skeins.

   You can learn how to embroider in a short amount of time. With practice your embroidery stitches will only get better. Have fun and when you're ready, teach someone else how to embroider too! :)

Tips & Warnings

• When you're first learning to embroider, you may make a few mistakes. It's easy to pull out a few threads and start again. Embroidery should be fun!

[MarlaineMarie]

on 3/2/2009 I love real embroidery - not much out there any more! Good tutorial!

[deepthinkin]

on 2/7/2009 Great article Veryirie! I used to embroider a LOT when I was a teen - mostly on my levi's...I like what you've written here. Thanks!

[Gardengates]

on 2/7/2009 I appreciate your tips on embroidery. It doesn't sound as intimidating as I'd thought! Thanks.

[Kilogramm]

on 2/5/2009 Thanks for all the in detailed steps, 5 star write up!

[bossypants]

on 2/4/2009 Even the thread challenged (like me) can follow your excellent directions and indispensable photos to learn the foundations of embroidery. You make it look easy and fun! Thanks!