Back Stitch
The back stitch is a beginner-friendly embroidery stitch that is very versatile. You can use it for outlining and filling in spaces. Use this DIY video and step-by-step tutorial to learn how to embroider the back stitch as a line and a filled in shape.
What you'll need to create the back stitch:
Back Stitch Video
Back Stitch Step-by-Step Tutorial
1. The back stitch creates a solid line made of short stitches. Begin by pulling the needle and thread up through the fabric from the back to the front about ¼ an inch away from the start of the line.
2. Bring the needle back down at the end of the line, filling in the space.
3. From underneath the fabric, space the needle out the length of your next desired stitch (~1/4 inch or less), pull the needle up through the fabric.
4. Now bring the needle back down through the fabric in the hole of the previous stitch.
5. Repeat until the line is created.
How to fill a Space with the Back Stitch
1. Start by creating your first line of back stitch across the shape.
2. When starting the next line of back stitch, this should be right next to the previous row. These stitches will also be offset, like a brick wall. This ensures there aren't rows of stitches, just an even fill within the space. The first stitch of the new row will either be half the size or 1.5 the size of the the stitch from the previous row.
Looking for more helpful embroidery tips, supplies, and hands-on workshops?
Workshops
Join Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ for a hands-on workshop! Melissa makes hand embroidery easy with a wide variety of embroidery classes. Classes are beginner-friendly to advanced and will walk you through a wide variety of stitches, techniques, and designs.
Find all upcoming workshops at: www.mcreativej.com/upcoming-seattle-events
Embroidery Books
Want a great hand embroidery reference? Try one of Melissa's hand embroidery books! Each book is great for beginners and breaks down materials, stitches, techniques, and projects for you.
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