Lesson: How to Embroider Back Stitch
Learn to line draw with stitches using the trusty back stitch!
Jump to section:
- Item to embroider
- Embroidery hoop
- Omegacryl or embroidery floss
- Sticky Fabri-Solvy (optional, not pictured here)
- Embroidery needle
- Needle threader (optional)
- Pencil, pen or fabric pencil
step one
Knot Your Thread
Choose your Omegacryl or embroidery floss color for embroidering and cut a 20” (or "arm's") length. You can use all three skinny strands or remove a strand or two to make your thread thinner. (If you’re doing a delicate design, you may want to do that.)
step two
Thread Your Needle
Thread your needle, using a needle threader if necessary, and leave about a 6” tail hanging.
step three
Draw Your Design & Start Stitching!
Draw your design directly onto fabric using a fabric pencil, or draw onto a Fabri-solvy sheet and adhere to fabric. Start your first stitch by entering from the underside of the fabric and pull through until the knot meets the fabric on the underside.
step four
Stitch 1 Running Stitch
Decide on your stitch length -- a rice grain or half rice grain are good references -- and enter your fabric with your needle with that length in mind. The smaller or curvier your design, the shorter you'll want your stitches to be.
step five
Stitch Ahead 1 Stitch Length
To set up for backstitch, enter back into your fabric 1 stitch length ahead, and pull through.
step six
Stitch Your First Back Stitch
Insert your needle into the end of your first stitch, stitching backwards, so that the two stitches touch. You've just completed your first back stitch!
step seven
Continue Backstitching Along Your Design
Repeat steps five and six, backstitching along your design until complete!
step eight
Once Design is Complete...
Admire your work! Then flip to the back to tie a knot to secure your stitching.
step nine
Secure Your Stitching With a Knot
On the backside of your embroidery, enter a nearby stitch with your needle and pull through most of the way, leaving a loop.
step ten
Secure Your Knot
Enter the loop with your needle and pull through to tighten. You can repeat steps 9 and 10 once more if you'd like to ensure your embroidery is extra secure.
step eleven
Get Creative with Other Colors!
If your design has different elements or sections, work in other colors to make your embroidery design dynamic! If you used Fabri-solvy to mount your design, rinse your embroidery under warm water until the fabric sticker dissolves.