Embroidery 101, Part Two
Here we go, we’re on our way to stitching together!
Make a little practice piece to try the stem and backstitch with different types of threads.
Cut a scrap of cotton for the background fabric. Cut a piece of flannel or fusible interfacing the same size. (I cut my flannel a tiny bit larger so you could see it in the photo below). Trace a few hearts (see block two of A Tisket, A Tasket) using a Pigma 01 pen or a fabric pencil. Place the design right side up on top of the flannel or interfacing. (Choose either flannel OR interfacing…don’t use both at the same time.) If you’re using fusible interfacing, now is the time to iron it to the wrong side of your background.
Put your sampler into a hoop and you’re ready to practice stitching.
Now let’s pick some thread!
Floss
I use DMC embroidery floss or Weeks Dye Works floss, two strands. Some designs call for 2 strands and some call for 3 strands of floss. It’s a combination of personal preference, the stitch being used, background fabric and the floss.
When I outline with a back stitch I like the look of three strands. Try it on your sampler and see what you like best!
Pearl Cotton
I love Valdani pearl cotton and I use size 12 for most of my stitching, but try the Valdani size 8 on a back stitch. You may love the look!
The higher the number the thinner the thread will be. Size 12 is thinner than size 8.
Here’s where it gets a little confusing…Valdani is a thicker thread than DMC. In the picture below DMC is on the left and Valdani is on the right, both size 8.
Valdani size 12 is about the same as DMC size 8. If a pattern calls for Valdani/12 you can substitute with a DMC/8, Valdani/8, substitute DMC /5. DMC size 12 is a thin pearl cotton, beautiful for fine embroidery.
Stem or Outline stitch
This is my favorite stitch and I use it for almost everything. I love the way it gracefully twists, and fills in a line. There are a few secrets to getting this “graceful” stitch.
Use two strands of embroidery floss. The first stitch is a little different from the rest: Start at the beginning of a line and work from left to right. Come up at the start and go down 1/4” away coming up in-between where you came up and went down. Always keep your thread below the needle as shown in the diagram above.
Look carefully at the stem stitch diagram above. Most people make the mistake of going down directly on the traced line. Instead, go down next to the line and come up next to your last stitch, on the other side of the line. You are following the line, but never actually “on” the line. The stem stitch is always done at an angle.
Make the stitches 1/8” in size. If your stitches are too large you’ll have trouble on the curves following the line. Keep the stitches tiny and consistent. If you can sew with 1/4” seam you can embroider with 1/8” stitch!
Back Stitch
The backstitch is my second favorite stitch. Try this stitch with two and then three strands of floss. Work from right to left, following diagram above.
Start your backstitch as shown in the picture below. Come up 1/8” from the start of the line. Go down at the start and come up again 1/8” from where you first came up.
Keep your stitches between 1/8” and 1/4” long. The length of the stitch depends on the floss or pearl cotton you’ve selected. As a general rule I keep my backstitch just a bit over 1/8”.
If you master the stem and backstitch you’ll be on your way to many happy hours of embroidery. It’s so much fun!
I’ll join you in front of the TV!
Hugs,
30 Comments
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Threeundertwo
I’ve never used interfacing underneath before, so I have to try this. I love Valdani perle cotton too. It comes in delicious colors.
Deelee
Thankyou for your tutorial. I love the look of quilting and embroidery together. I’ve done machine embroidery on my quilts but not hand embroidery. I’m looking forward to trying it!
Dawn
Thank you!! I just keep learning!
Jeanie
I learned something new today! Thanks for the tutorial. I am actually beginning the embroidery for your ” Autumn Houses”. Now, it will be almost perfect:)
Margot
Anne,your tips are great. Thank you.
Anonymous
Thank you for the tutorial. There is always something for me to learn or improve on. Definitely my embroidery stitches could use some help. I am printing it out and making a folder for it and Part 1
Louise
Jen in NY
Thank you Anne! I’m guilty of doing the stem stitch wrong…I am anxious to try it the way you showed! I think your embroidery is so lovely. Embroidery 101 is awesome!! –Love, Jen
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! DI
Hi Anne–I love keeping up with your blog and one of the things that is my goal for 2009 is to learn different stitches in emb. and how to do the ones i do know better–and here is a blog with the help–thanks–am hopeing you will keep showing us how to do different stitches. I am also enjoying the basket bom. I just designed my own blog–Quilting is my Passion–hope you will “pop” over and read me, too. your site is listed on my blog list!!Just, Di
Sarah
We are always in love with your patterns and designs!! You are so kind to share your wealth of information with us all! I thought I’d drop a note to tell you that we added you to our blog roll on our new website, and are carrying your patterns. (we are still trying to get that all uploaded, so keep a look out for them.) Have a great night.
Anonymous
Thanks for the tut. Your detailed explanation takes a lot of the guesswork out of embroidering for newbies like me. (PS- I’m having a lot of fun with your adorable “Tisket a Tasket” BOM.
Linda
Melanie
Thanks for the great tutorial, Anne! I have a couple of friends who produce some of the most beautiful embroidery. Sometimes it looks as though it was done by a machine it’s so perfect!My problem has always been with the stem stitch, so now maybe I’ll get a little bit better, thanks to you! I appreciate the time you took to do this.
Melanie
crazyaboutquilts.blogspot.com
Barb
I love your tutorial on embroidery. I do a lot of redwork but have never used the flannel backing. I was wondering about the flannel. Is it attached to the main fabric at all?
Thanks. You are my new favorite.
Barb
Sinta
Thank you for the insight and wonderful tips! Your tutorial was very helpful. I need to start exploring new threads:)You are officially my embroidery “guru”!
Dya
Hi Anne,
thank you! It’s very helpfull.
PunkiePie
Anne – thank you for the tutorial! I’m very much a visual learner. I also found a few nice video tutorials on youtube.com on the stem and back stitch that I found very helpful… if anyone needs to see the “movement” of the stitches versus stills.
Bumpkin Bears
Hi, I just found your blog. I love embroidery so this tutorial was really great. I love what you create :) Beary Hugs to your bunnies from my bears, Catherine
jabeybaby
I’m doing your bom and learning to do embroidery at the same time. Thanks for the helpful post!
Krista
I love to embroider, but it has been years since I’ve done any. I remember learning in 6th grade. My grandmother lived with us then and I would come home to practice. She bought several handkerchiefs, and I would embroider something in the corners, usually flowers or initials, and then she would crochet around the edges. I wish I still had those handkerchiefs. We gave them all away as gifts. Memories… Thank you for bringing them back.
Mariella
hello, long time visiting your blog is wonderful. A few days ago I started with Stitchery and I am happy, thanks for sharing your expertise on this topic.
greetings
Stephanie
It’s been years and years since I’ve embroidered but seeing all the wonderful projects makes me want to start again. I have forgotten how to do the stitches so this was great. Thanks!
Swapna
I love your blog
naoko
Thank you .I love your Embroidery 101! This is very helpful.
Pamela
i am also looking for helpful ways to enhance my embrodiery. thanks so much!! pamela http://www.frenchknots.blogspot.com
tam
Anne that was a wonderful tutitorial! Thank You! This kind of hand work is therapy for me-sooo relaxing! Hope you are having a wonderful week~Tam :D