Line stitches
Running stitch, backstitch, stem stitch and chain stitch draw outlines, stems and lettering.
To practise: use an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taut, and a needle with a large eye for stranded embroidery thread.
Filling stitches
Satin stitch fills small shapes with close parallel stitches; long and short stitch fills larger areas and allows colour shading, which is why it's called "needle painting".
Dots and texture
French knots and bullion knots make raised dots for flower centres and texture.
Palestinian embroidery (tatreez)
Built mainly on cross stitch, with geometric motifs that vary by region. The art of embroidery in Palestine was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021.
Couching
A thick or metal thread is laid on the surface and held down with small stitches in another thread. This is how goldwork is done without pulling the precious thread through the fabric.
The hook
Lunéville or tambour embroidery uses a tiny hook to make a fast chain stitch, and is used to attach beads and sequins in haute couture.
Add embroidery to your designs
From basic stitches to couture finishing, in Anna Stella's Manchester classes.
Sources
- Royal School of Needlework, RSN Essential Stitch Guides, Search Press.
- Mary Thomas, Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, Hodder & Stoughton.
- UNESCO: "Art of embroidery in Palestine, practices, skills, knowledge and rituals", 2021.
- Bayeux Museum: the Bayeux Tapestry (wool embroidery on linen, 11th century).