Hand embroidery Basic Stitches - Flat Stitch variations

Flat stitch teaches how to bring the needle in and out through the fabric, and this is probably the most important thing of learning how to stitch the embroidery.

Most stitches begin by making a flat straight stitch. Similarly, many flat stitches can be combined in various creative patterns to come up with different variations.

Flat stitches are easier to work on even weave fabric such as canvas, matte, cross stitch fabric.

Here are some samples which I did for example.

Straight stitch

Also known as:- stroke stitch, single stitch, one stitch, single satin stitch

Straight stitch is the most basic and easiest stitch. This is perhaps, the first stitch before learning any other embroidery stitches.

It is a simple single stitch. The stitch itself is a complete stitch. You can make desired length of stitch to create designs. It can be straight or diagonal. The stitch can make flowers, grass, leaves, sun rays, etc. This can also be worked as border.

Straight stitch flower and leaf

Straight stitch border

Fern stitch

To make this stitch you need to know straight stitch. As the name suggests, its about leaves, an easy and good stitch to work on tree branches, leaves, grass, seaweed etc. It is made of group of three straight stitches; one group has one ending hole. A series of this is stitched to make row or column.

Fern stitch seaweed pattern

Arrow Head Stitch

Also known as:- zigzag straight stitch

To make this stitch you need to know straight stitch. This stitch is also the variation of straight stitch. As the name suggests,shape of arrow. It is a group of two straight stitches. Thus two straight stitches are joined to form arrow shape. The groups are stitched repeatedly to make a design of border or can also be worked on a desired pattern. When worked horizontally it can form a nice zigzag pattern. To bring perfection in this stitch 3 parallel points of equal distance should be marked.

Arrow head stitch pattern

Arrow head stitch border

Algerian eye stitch

Also known as: Star stitch, Algerian eyelet stitch, star eyelet stitch

To make this stitch you need to know straight stitch. This stitch is also the variation of straight stitch.

As the name suggests, shape of star. This stitch is a group of eight straight stitches. Thus eight straight stitches are joined to form a star like pattern inside a square area. All stitches are taken from single hole i.e center of the square. The Algerian eye stitch can be used as a filling stitch on even weave fabric in a wonderful way. Or can be used to form the border design. The stitch can make small flowers.

Algerian eye stitch

Eyelet stitch

Also known as: Broderie anglaise, Hakoba

Eyelet stitch is not a flat stitch but a nice variation of straight stitch.

To make this stitch you need to know straight stitch. As the name suggests, a hole in fabric. This stitch helps to create a small hole in the fabric with a work of thread around it. Instead of a circle it can also be worked with any other shapes, like square, oval, pear. To make this stitch every time the stitch is taken through the hole. Eyelet stitch can be used instead of metal eyelet in any handmade project.

Eyelet flower

Seed stitch

Also known as: seeding stitch, rice stitch.

To make this stitch you need to know straight stitch. This stitch is also the variation of straight stitch. As the name suggests, creating seeds. This stitch uses two simple straight stitches together  to fill in patterns. It is a short and easy stitch. The stitch reminds of strawberry seeds, watermelon, berries etc. this inspired its name. 

Seeds of strawberry

Random stitch

Filling random stitch

This stitch is just a disorder of straight stitches used to fill patterns. It does not follow any straight line or pattern, rather its name suggests it not having a pattern. It is a set of two straight stitch, first stitch is longer and second stitch is shorter and in other direction. It looks like grass over the ground, or it depends on your perception.

7 basic things you need before you start doing embroidery - The Delicate Embroidery

The level of creativity and innovation is infinite. Creativity exists in various aspects of our lives. It can be in  dressing up, arranging or decorating our places, storing things, cooking, driving  or any other activity. It doesn’t require to have specific materials/tools to be creative. It can range from a piece of paper to cloth, shoes, bags, food, plastic, metal or practically anything under the sun. Similarly, embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Besides thread, it's also possible to use other types of materials that include pearls, metal wires, sequins and beads. Embroidery includes some fundamental basic stitches that comprise the running stitch, the chain stitch, the cross stitch, the knot stitch, the satin stitch and the blanket or buttonhole stitch.

To make good embroidery requires high concentration and dedication. Regular practice leads to perfection. Whatever you like to decorate can make it more beautiful by doing embroidery over it such as bed-covers, pillow-covers, table mats, coasters, wall hangings, diary covers etc. There is no limit with creativity. 

With the advanced and right knowledge of embroidery a person can even earn employment by teaching, by selling embroidered goods or can decorate their personal surrounding.

Embroidery is loved and practiced all over the world which includes china, America, Europe, India etc. Basics are same in all regions but some stitches are known with different names in some places.

Materials needed:-

1- Cloth (as preferred) – usually cotton cloth, for practice handkerchief can be used of size 12*12 inches.

2- Embroidery hoop (preferably wooden of x-small size )

3- Needle (sewing needle. no. 9)

4- Thread (anchor cotton embroidery thread)

5- Scissor

6- Tracing of pattern

7- Pencil

Transferring the pattern:-

All you need for tracing the pattern is just a regular pencil and a tracing paper.

My idea of tracing is by laying the tracing paper on the bright blank screen of laptop and above it place the single layer of cloth you will find the tracing clear to you. Now trace it with pencil and you’re done!

Tip: To attain perfection in embroidery, make sure the tracing is done very fine.

Choice of color and stitch:-

There are more than 1500 colors available in anchor embroidery thread range. You are absolutely free to choose color of your choice.

Choice of stitch will depend on your skill.

That’s it. We are ready to start up with the first and most basic stitch.

So guys, get equipped and we will start with our first stitch in my next post.

 Till then, sayonara and stay tuned.

Keep posting your comments and feedback.

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Email: somya.embroidery@gmail.com

The Delicate Embroidery | Welcome to the world of Embroidery - Introduction

Welcome to the world of embroidery- creative fingers.

My name is Somya and I am a fabric decorator. I like doing embroidery especially Hand Embroidery. I also like knitting,paper crafting, cooking. I like using bright colors in my projects. I enjoy decorating my place with my handmade work. My grandmother and mother acted as my inspiration for embroidery. I have been doing embroidery for years now. After doing my graduation as an Accessory Designer I did a full time Diploma course in Embroidery for perfection. Here I set free my knowledge to its extreme. So guys welcome to the world of embroidery. :)

I will posting various techniques and lessons every week.

Keep posting your comments and feedback.

Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedelicateembroidery/
Email: somya.embroidery@gmail.com