How to Choose Embroidery Stitches

With hundreds of choices, selecting stitches for a particular design presents an opportunity to exhibit your artistic flair. In the end, whatever looks best to you is the combination that works.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Embroidery Needles
• Embroidery Patterns
• Embroidery Scissors
• Embroidery Threads
• Embroidery Yarns
• Stitch Encyclopedia
• Embroidery Floss
• Embroidery Hoops
• Fabrics
• Threads
• Scissors
• Scissors

1. Learn the basic types of stitches and how they function. For example, a backstitch outlines a design, a satin stitch fills in a design, and a French knot serves as a decorative stitch.

2. Consult a reference book listing various stitches and showing how to make them.

3. Select a few basic stitches that serve various functions.

4. Practice these stitches.

5. Decide whether these stitches will work for your design. If not, expand your repertoire with more practice stitches.

Tips & Warnings

• Your pattern or kit might specify the appropriate stitches and include directions and illustrations about making them.