What you need for embroidery: choosing materials and tools. Step-by-step execution of the stem stitch Embroidery with the stem stitch for beginners

For decorating fabric items: tablecloths, napkins, towels, aprons, etc. – embroidery is often used. It makes products stylish, colorful and unique. Beautiful embroidery can be done even with simple decorative stitches: stem, tambour, “velvet”, “knotted”, “herringbone” and others, the technique of which is, indeed, quite accessible. But you shouldn’t think that you’ll get a beautiful pattern right away: even the most basic seams turn out beautiful and neat only after much practice. Therefore, if you want to decorate clothes, accessories or home textiles with beautiful embroidery, you will have to be patient. The first step should be to purchase accessories for embroidery: special threads (floss), needles, fabric, hoops (they are required, since to obtain even stitches the fabric will have to be stretched, and pulled very tightly). The second step is to learn step-by-step instructions for making embellishment stitches. You will find them below.

"Lace" and "snake"

Seam Snake

“Lace” and the so-called “snake” are very light seams; it would be more correct to say that they are not simple, but elementary. They are made on the basis of a simple “forward needle” seam.

1. Make a needle forward stitch, being careful to ensure that all stitches are the same size. There is no need to finely chop, but large stitches are all the more unsuitable. The optimal length is two millimeters.
2. To get a “lace”, start making the second seam of the pair to the left, each time threading the needle and thread under the stitches on the front side in the same direction. To obtain a “snake,” alternate the direction: through the first stitch, pass the needle from bottom to top, through the second stitch, vice versa.

These seams look original only if the threads are taken in two different colors, similar in tone or, conversely, contrasting. If the threads are the same color, these stitches do not look elegant enough to be called decorative. However, they are extremely rarely chosen for embroidery in any case.

Stem stitch (step by step)

When creating floral ornaments, a simple decorating stitch is most often used, which is called a stem stitch. It resembles a tightly twisted rope. Depending on how frequent and long the stitches are, the appearance of this “rope” changes. The same seam is often used to embroider simply thin lines, straight and curved, into drawings, indicating the outline of the drawing.

Despite its apparent simplicity, the stem stitch requires a certain skill to perform. However, if you follow the instructions step by step on the technique of making a stem seam, decorating products with its help will actually be quite simple.

1. Insert the needle from the wrong side and pull it out to the front side.
2. Holding the thread at the entry point, pull the thread slightly to the right and up and make a peg towards you.
3. From the wrong side, make the next stitch approximately in the middle of the stitch and pull it to the right side.
4. Repeat the operation as many times as necessary.

In order for the stem seam to be even and attractive, try to make the stitches the same size, preferably small ones. In addition, you need to make sure that they fit tightly to each other - in other words, there should not be a large distance between the stitches. Of course, it will take more time than embroidery with large stitches, but it will look aesthetically pleasing. So there's no need to rush.

Using a regular needle on your hands, you can make another very beautiful and at the same time simple decorating stitch - chain stitch. It is also very common when embroiderers create floral patterns. Outwardly, it resembles a chain.

1. Insert a needle and thread from the wrong side to the front side, and pull the thread out. It is more convenient to make a chain stitch with a needle when it is directed from top to bottom.
2. Lower the thread and, holding it with the thumb of your right hand, form the outline of the loop.
3. Make a stitch from the entry point of the thread with the needle down. When pulling out the thread and needle, make sure that they remain inside the loop at all times. The length of the stitch should be short - the length of the “link” of the “chain” that you want to achieve.
4. Repeat the operation several times until you get a “chain” of the length you need.
5. Try changing the direction of the stitches - this way you can embroider leaves and petals, or make a “chain” with a snake.

“Velvet” seam, or “goat”

“Goat” is often used to embroider the edging of napkins and aprons, and it is also often used to “fill” the space inside an outline embroidered with a stem or chain stitch. From the front part, this seam, which is sometimes called “velvet”, resembles intersecting lines, while from the back there are two dotted lines parallel to each other.

1. You need to do the work from left to right. For convenience, you can draw two parallel lines. Make a peg on the top line from the wrong side and pull the thread to the front side.
2. A little to the right of this point on the bottom line, from right to left, make a small stitch, pull the thread and needle to the front side.
3. Stepping back a little more to the right, make the same stitch at the ear on the top line. The next one will be on the bottom line and so on.

"Loophole" seam

This type of decorative stitch is similar to the one used for. It is done quite simply - this can be seen in the figure. Even without step-by-step instructions, even an embroiderer with no needlework skills can do it. It must be said that this lightweight stitch is rarely used for decorating products. It is usually applied along the contour of handkerchiefs and napkins.

"Knots"

These elements, reminiscent of knots or small, very small buds, are also very simple to perform. Insert the needle into the fabric from the wrong side to the right side. Place a thread on it (wind it). Insert the needle from front to back at approximately the same point where the first peg was. The unusual stitch is ready. By the way, with the help of this simple stitch and stem stitch you can embroider amazingly beautiful patterns - the main thing is to show your imagination and be patient, since the work is not difficult, but painstaking. However, in needlework everything requires both perseverance and a creative approach.

"Herringbone"

Like the “goat”, it is performed between two parallel lines (for convenience, you can draw them at once). We will sew from right to left. So, we make the first peg on the top line. We make the second peg on the bottom ruler at the same level, move the needle forward and upward (at an angle of 45 degrees) to make a stitch, but at the same time press the thread against the fabric so that the needle from the wrong side comes out on top of it between the rulers. We make the next peg on the top line and slant it to the left and down, also passing the thread under the needle. So we alternately make stitches from above, then from below to the center. It turns out to be a “Christmas tree”. If you make two stitches each time at the top and bottom, you will get a “double” Christmas tree. Both of them are used most often to decorate children's underwear.

Elena Pronina

When we talk about embroidery, the first thing that comes to mind is cross stitch. But there are a huge number of other decorative stitches and embroidery techniques in the world. Decorative seams do not mean complicated ones. It is often easier to embroider with them than with a cross. Many hand-made decorative seams do not require such scrupulous calculations as a cross and “forgive” the mistakes of inexperienced fingers. There is one more plus. With simple stitches you can do embroidery not on canvas, but on regular fabric. Embroider directly on the corner of the tablecloth, or decorate jeans with decorative stitches. There are many options! And no outline. You can even make spectacular embroideries using a “forward needle” stitch. How much easier can it be? What can we say about the potential of a chain stitch or “French knots”.

The simple stitches that we are going to talk about will become excellent embroidery material for beginning needlewomen.

Straight stitch.

This is the most basic stitch. You can use it to embroider anything. It can be laid in any direction, of any length.

Snowflake with straight stitches. Draw a circle and mark the middle. We mark the circle with the required number of petal points. We bring the needle out from the center and make stitches, all the time returning the needle to the center. V-A; S-A; D-A and so on.

Seam "forward needle"

Perhaps the most famous simplest seam. To decorate it, you can change the length of the stitches: for example, 2 short, 1 long, etc.

Surface

Satin stitch is a very beautiful independent embroidery. It was especially widespread in the middle of the last century. Perhaps someone at home still has their grandmother’s satin stitch embroidery – pillowcases, napkins. You can use the satin stitch as an element for filling. The stitches in this technique are placed neatly parallel to each other along the entire shape that needs to be filled.

How to sew with satin stitch: First, draw the desired shape on the fabric. We start from the edge of the drawing. We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A. We stick it in at point B, and then we bring it out to the face at point C, next to point A. We continue to embroider tightly, placing stitches one next to the other.

Back stitch or stitch

The backstitch with a needle is often used: it is used to embroider stems, inscriptions, and make an outline (for example, in cross stitch). Sew by hand when you need to sew two parts together tightly.

How to sew with a back stitch: Draw a line on the fabric. We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A. We stick it in at point B, it is located behind point A. And then we bring it out to the face at point C, it is in front of point A. We make the next stitch by sticking the needle into point A and bring it out in front of point C.

Stem seam

Like the backstitch stitch, stem stitch embroidery is used for stems, inscriptions, and outline designs.

How to sew with a stem stitch: Draw a line on the fabric. We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A at the beginning of the line. We make stitch B-C, point C is in the middle between A and B. The following stitches: D - B, E - Di.etc. The thread should always remain on one side when making stitches. When the line is bent, the stitches may fall apart; to prevent this from happening, the stitches can be made smaller.

You can see how this stitch looks on the finished product, for example, in It is completely made with this seam.

Fern seam

Decorative seam. The fern stitch looks like a stem with leaves. To make the design look more natural, you can change the angle and length of the leaves.

How to sew with a fern stitch: Let's draw a curved line. We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A at some distance from the beginning of the line. We insert the needle at point B (the beginning of the line)) and bring it to the face at point C (on the side of the intended line), and pull out the thread. Making stitch A -D (pointD is on the other side of the intended line), pull out the thread. Next we make a stitch A – E along the line. It turns out to be a stem with branches.

Chain stitch

One of the most common and beautiful decorative seams. The small, children's machine "Grasshopper" sews with this seam. People begin to embroider with chain stitch as early as kindergarten; for some reason it is considered to be very simple. They can be used to sew along a line, outline a design, embroider an inscription, and even fill out a form.

How to sew with a chain stitch: We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A. We stick the needle in at point B (next to point A) and bring it out to the face at point C, but do not pull the thread until we pass it under the formed loop. Next, we make the next loop: by inserting the needle next to point C (inside the previous loop) and bringing it out at point E. Again we thread it through the resulting loop, etc. To finish the seam, insert a needle into the pointF and bring the thread to the wrong side.

Completely made with chain stitch.

Loop stitch or edge stitch

This seam is used to process the edges of the products and sew them into buttonholes by hand. It looks very nice and is easy to make. Can be used as a decorative stitch.

How to sew with a buttonhole stitch: We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A. We stick the needle in at point B and bring it out to the face at point C, but do not pull the thread through until we pass it under the needle. We continue to place stitches from left to right. When the row is completed, stick the needle into the pointD is just beyond the loop. Try to place stitches evenly spaced apart.

You can alternate the length of the stitch legs - it will turn out beautifully.

You can read more about . There are options and various decorations for this seam.

Tambour loop (flower)

The chain stitch is a variation of the chain stitch in which each loop in the chain is embroidered separately. If you embroider several chain stitches around the central point, you will get a flower. The leaf will come out of a separate chain loop

How to embroider with chain stitch: We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A. We stick the needle in at point B (next to point A) and bring it out to the face at point C, but do not pull the thread until we pass it under the formed loop. Next, insert the needle into the pointD, thereby closing the petal-loop, and draw it out at point A. We continue to make petals in a circle.

Open decorative loop or U-loop or half-loop

This loop is similar to a tambour loop, but with an open end. With an open decorative loop you can embroider petals on a flower, or rays of the sun.

How to embroider with an open decorative loop: We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A. We stick the needle in at point B (away from point A) and bring it out onto the face at point C, put the thread under the needle and pull it out. Next, insert the needle into the pointD, thereby securing the thread. Stitch C-D can be made in different lengths.

Velvet seam, or “goat”

Decorative velvet stitch, similar to a series of crosses located close to each other. Performed along two parallel lines.

How to make a velvet seam: Draw two parallel lines. We work from left to right. We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A at the beginning of the intended line of the top line. Make a backstitch on the bottom line B - C, then a backstitch on the top lineD-E etc.

Herringbone seam

The herringbone stitch is very decorative. It's a pleasure to embroider and easy to make. You can sew evenly and neatly, then you will get a strict geometric pattern. You can also vary the inclination and length of the stitches, then the pattern will come out more natural.

How to sew a herringbone seam: Let's draw a line on the fabric. We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A at the beginning of the intended line. We insert the needle at point B (on the side of point A)) and bring it to the face at point C (in front along the intended line), pull out the thread, having first threaded it under the needle. The result is a half-loop. Making a stitchD - E (pointD is on the other side of the intended line), pull out the thread, also passing it under the needle. We continue to embroider. At the end, to secure the seam, we bring the needle to the wrong side on the other side of the loop, as in a chain stitch.

Chicken track or fishbone stitch

This decorative stitch is good for embroidering plant leaves; it seems as if it was specially created for this purpose. You can sew by placing the threads tightly together. Or you can embroider freely and get an openwork leaf.

How to make a chicken trail seam: Let's draw a shape (for example, a leaf). We bring the needle out from the wrong side in the corner of the drawn shape at point A and make a straight stitch B-C (point B is on the central axis, point C is on the edge on the stroke line). Next, we make a D-E stitch (D – from the other edge on the stroke line, E – on the central axis), put the thread under the needle and pull the thread. We fasten the thread by inserting the needle into point F and bringing it out next to point C. We continue to embroider until we fill out the entire form.

French knot

French knot is used in embroidery as an element. They protrude slightly above the surface of the embroidery. Flower centers are often made using a French knot. If you place the knots close to each other, you can get curly hair.

How to embroider a French knot: We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A. With our left hand we draw the thread around the needle twice. We turn the needle perpendicular to the fabric and stick it in at point B (next to point A), pulling the wrap tightly. We bring the needle to the wrong side, and on the front side we get a knot.

Sheaf seam

This stitch is so named because it truly resembles sheaves of wheat. The “sheaf” seam is easy to make and looks original. He can decorate the napkin.

How to make a sheaf seam: We make three straight stitches (length 1.2 cm, gap 0.3 cm) We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A, in the middle between the first and second stitch. We wrap the needle and thread twice around three stitches, pulling the thread tightly. To finish the knot, insert the needle into point B.

sheaf seam

Spider seam

Beautiful and original decorative stitch. The number of main stitches should be odd. It is interesting to use threads of different colors in this seam for the main stitches and for the wrapping. If you do not wrap around the entire length of the stitches, you will end up with a sun or a flower. For twisting, it is better to use a blunt needle, or twist with the other side of the needle.

How to make a spider seam: Draw a circle and mark the middle. We make a snowflake with straight stitches. There should be an odd number of rays. We bring the needle with a blunt end out from the wrong side at point A (closer to the center. We twist the rays, bringing the needle under them, then above them, alternating. We fill the base in a spiral outward. Finish the embroidery by stretching the thread to the wrong side.

Seam "flooring"

The “flooring” stitch is fun to embroider; it is somewhat similar to the “spider” stitch. It turns out a piece of floating fabric. You can twist two warp threads - you get a petal or leaf for a flower. You can make a large leaf from several warp threads. You can also play with the tension of the wrapping threads - you’ll get different interesting shapes. It is interesting to take different colors of threads for the warp and wrapping.

How to make a flooring seam: We lay two straight stitches on the fabric, not very far from one another. We pull out the wrapping thread at the beginning of the resulting stitches and pass the needle over the first thread and under the second. We turn the needle and, without touching the fabric, again pass the needle over the first thread and under the second. (The counting is already on the other side). Continue until the warp threads are completely filled.

Coil or rococo knots

For a rococo knot, the thread is wrapped around a needle and a voluminous stitch is obtained. This knot is quite complex in execution, but effective. They can be used to embroider rose petals, furry animal hair or dreadlocks.

How to make rococo knots: We bring the needle out from the wrong side at point A. Make a stitch B-A (about 0.6 cm) With your left hand we draw the thread around the needle seven times. Holding the wound thread on the needle, push the needle through the winding and the fabric, the knot will slide to point B. Carefully distribute the winding along the entire stitch. To finish the knot, insert the needle into point B.

Decorative mesh

Decorative mesh is good for quickly filling large spaces. Large long stitches fill the entire shape vertically and horizontally. And at the intersection of the threads, small crosses can be made with a contrasting thread or a thread of the same color.

How to embroider a decorative mesh: At the first stage, we fill the entire form with straight vertical stitches from edge to edge at an equal distance from each other. On the second one, we do the same thing, just add horizontal stitches. And at the end, to attach our threads to the fabric, we embroider a cross at each intersection.

Transfer the design to the fabric.

Method 1. If the fabric is thin enough, you can transfer the pattern glazing. For this, use a backlit table or regular window glass. Glue the design with tape to the glass, place the fabric on top and also glue with tape. Trace the drawing with a pencil or water-soluble marker.

Method 2. You can transfer the design onto thick or dark fabric using carbon paper. We place the fabric on a flat surface, then carbon paper, the colored side to the fabric, then our drawing. We trace the drawing with a ballpoint pen. To prevent the lines from being erased, it is advisable to outline the design on the fabric with a water-soluble marker.

Method 3. We print the design we need on an inkjet printer. Place the fabric on the ironing board, with the design on top, printed side down, and iron it without steam. If the drawing is not bright, you can outline it with a marker. The resulting lines are not erased in this way and also: on the material your drawing will be mirror-like.

Centering the drawing

To find the middle of a rectangle, you need to fold the fabric or paper design in half. Draw a line along the fold line. We do the same horizontally. The intersection of the lines will be the middle.

If the pattern is not rectangular: fold it in both directions, matching the widest and longest parts of the pattern. Draw a pencil along the fold line.

Place the fabric and paper design on the table, matching the horizontal and vertical lines.

Beginnings and endings

Materials used from the book by Nicholas Christin “Designer Embroidery. 65 new ideas for decorating your home"

Seam stitch

The stitching on the front side resembles a machine stitch, which is why it got its name. It is performed from right to left. Having secured the thread, make a stitch and pass the needle from the wrong side two stitches forward, while it is important not to tighten the working thread. The top (front) stitches go tightly one after another: the needle is stuck where it came out of the fabric in the previous stitch. The bottom (purl) stitches go halfway back, so the length of the purl stitches is twice the length of the knit stitches.

This seam is used to sew together parts of the product or to lay decorative stitches. The seam is also used in combination with other seams.

In appearance, the stem seam resembles a tightly twisted cord. Each new stitch starts from right to left. The seam looks like a twisted rope, as if cut into the fabric. That's why it is sometimes called "rope". We must try to overlap each stitch tightly with the previous one, but do not jump over it.

The seam is made by moving the needle towards you, laying the stitches away from you. Each new stitch protrudes forward by half the length of the previous one.

When making a stem seam, the working thread should always be on one side - right or left. It is impossible to change the direction of the thread during work, as its structure is disrupted.

The stem stitch is very common in embroidery. It can be used to complete the entire embroidery pattern; it is also used in combination with other seams.

Chain stitch

The chain stitch is a series of identical loops, reminiscent of chain links. The seam is made in any direction, as convenient according to the pattern.

Make a loop stitch as follows: bring the thread to the front side of the fabric, move it from left to right in an arc, insert it into the fabric in the place where it came from, and, holding the loop with the fingers of your left hand, tighten the working thread. This process is then repeated until a series of loops are obtained, emerging from one another in one direction.

Drawings are made along the contour with a chain stitch. They are also used to fill in patterns, sewing first the line of the pattern along the contour, and then the middle.

When embroidering with a chain stitch, the working thread should not be tightened too much; each stitch should lie freely on the fabric. Holding the thread with your fingers, form the correct and uniform roundness of the loop.

The stem (“back needle”) seam is one of the basic stitches in satin stitch embroidery. It consists of several adjacent horizontal stitches. The stem stitch is considered the most ancient and at the same time the easiest to perform. It is no coincidence that this is where it is recommended to start getting acquainted with this type of needlework.

Application of a stem seam

In the old days, flower stems were embroidered using this stitch, which is how it got its name. But the scope of its application is not limited to this. “Back needle” can be used as an additional one, combining with other types (for example, with a counted cross), but simple contour paintings will also look very impressive. The stem seam is flexible: it can be used to fill the contours of a design, create floral patterns and even complex motifs - examples of work can be seen in the photo.

Tools

Embroidery requires special tools and materials.

It is better to use cotton fabric; it is better to wash it before starting work to prevent shrinkage and deformation of the finished product. You should not use the border for cross stitch - it is not suitable for this purpose.

It is better to use a hoop - this way the thread will not pull the work, and the embroidery will look good.

Threads - you can choose any that seem most suitable. Most often, floss threads are used in embroidery.

Pencil - you will need it to draw the outline of the design on the fabric.

Stages of embroidery with stem stitch

When starting embroidery with a stem stitch for the first time, you can apply marking points. They must be on the same line, at the same distance from each other. In order for the seam to turn out beautiful and even, it is very important to correctly calculate the length of the stitch. It depends, first of all, on the width of the selected thread. It is best to make a stitch whose length is 4 times the width of the thread.

In order not to get confused in the work, you can mark all the points with letters. For a stem stitch, the letters will not go in order, but as follows: A-C-B-D and so on. This marking will allow you to better navigate the first time you do it.

Securing the thread on the wrong side

Next we move directly to embroidery. To begin, thread the needle. If the eye of the needle is too small, you can thread it using a special device - a threader. Then you need to secure the thread on the wrong side - you can see how to do this in the photo or video of the master classes.

“Back needle” is easiest to sew from right to left. First you need to insert the needle into the point A from the wrong side. Passing the point WITH, bring the needle to the wrong side through the point B. Then we return to the front side again at the point C, it should be in the middle of the stitch. When bringing the needle to the front side, you need to try not to separate the strand.

Pull the thread to remove excess thread. But this must be done carefully so as not to pull off the pattern. Let's make the next stitch. To do this, we bring the needle to the wrong side through the point D and return to the front through the previous hole - in our case, the point B. Again, slightly tighten the thread, preventing it from sagging.

Thus, we got 2 stem stitches, equal in size. Using the same principle, you can continue to embroider a straight line using a stem stitch. That is, we make a stitch, bring the needle to the front side approximately in the middle of the previous one, make a second stem stitch, and again bring the needle to the front side through the previous hole. If you can’t figure out the diagram, you can watch our instructional video or photo.

A straight line is the simplest version of embroidery with a stem stitch, and far from the only one. In this way you can make a curved line and fill the area of ​​the drawing. The directions of embroidery are also different: it can be from left to right, or vice versa, from top to bottom or from bottom to top, or at an angle. That is, using stem stitches you can sew the outline of any pattern that the execution of the pattern requires.

If the line should be curved, the stitches are made exactly according to the same principle as for a straight line. But there are several nuances. To make the seam look neat, the stitches can be made a little smaller. And to get a smooth line, it is better to bend it in such a way that the stitches “look” towards the outside.

Some patterns require filling an entire area of ​​the design with a stem stitch. In this case, there is no need to embroider the outline of the area with a seam. The embroidery is filled with several rows of stem stitch. In this case, each of them should start on one side, so that all stitches are made in the same direction, and each row fits tightly to the previous one.

Rules for making a seam

Ideally, the stitches should fit tightly together, the stem seam should resemble a continuous lace, in which neither the beginning nor the end of the stitches should be visible. To achieve an ideal result, you will need some time to train, and, of course, follow some rules.

The working thread must always be kept on one side, which is more convenient - to the right or left of the main line. Its location cannot be changed, otherwise the entire structure of the seam will collapse, and a good result will not be achieved.

The needle should only be inserted into the previous hole - this way the seam will look neater and tighter.

The stitches must be made of the same length. If you cannot determine the distance by eye, you can first mark the pattern, marking the places where the needle enters and exits with dots.

Video: learning to embroider with a stem stitch