Embroidery Basics | Purl Soho

Embroidery is a wonderfully expressive craft that employs a variety of different techniques. Here are a few of the basics. If you are interested in learning more about embroidery, explore our collection of embroidery books and patterns.

Backstitch

Embroidery Basics | Purl Soho

Bring the needle and thread from the back to the front of the fabric.  Put the needle down through the fabric about 1/8-inch away from where you started (For right-handers, it may feel more natural to move to the left; left-handers may prefer the right).

Bring the needle up approximately 1/8-inch away from where you went down.  Pull the thread through.  Put the needle back down in the same spot you did before, taking a backstitch.

Embroidery Basics | Purl Soho

Chain Stitch

Embroidery Basics | Purl Soho

Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric and pull the thread through.  Put the needle back through the fabric a scant 1/16-inch from where you began, but do not pull the thread all the way through.  Leave a short, loose loop. Bring the needle back up about 1/4-inch away, and pull the thread up through the loop.  Put the needle back through the fabric, catching the loop and leaving a new loop through which to pull the needle on your next stitch.

Embroidery Basics | Purl Soho

Satin Stitch

Embroidery Basics | Purl Soho

Begin as you would for a running stitch, by making a single stitch.  Bring your needle back up through the fabric directly next to where you began the first stitch.  Make a parallel stitch to the first as close to the first stitch as possible.  Repeat to create a solid field.

Embroidery Basics | Purl Soho