Embroidering with Back Stitch
Back stitch is a foundational embroidery stitch that everyone should know. It is very versatile and can be used with a lot of other embroidery techniques.
Some people get discouraged when they try back stitch because it doesn’t look perfect right away, but with a bit of practice it will become easy. Once you have mastered it, you will find many ways to use it.
See it all
Below you will find:
- video
- ideas for using back stitch in projects
- tutorial for how to do back stitch and different variations
- inspiration projects that use back stitch
When to use back stitch
- outlining shapes
- lettering
- flower stems
- buildings
- stripes
- geometric shapes
- anywhere you want a solid line with no frills
How to do backstitch
Basic Backstitch
Basic backstitch is a line, and it is usually worked from right to left. Bring the needle up to the front, and then put it down to the right of where it came up.
Tip the needle over, and bring it up on the left side of where you started.
Pull through, leaving a stitch at the end. For the next stitch, put the needle in right at the end of the first stitch. Bring the needle up ahead of the starting point.
Continue in this way. For each stitch, you go one step back then two steps forward.
It leaves a continuous line of stitches with no breaks.
Stem stitch
aka: crewel stitch, South Kensington stitch
Stem stitch is a common back stitch variation that gives a smoother line. The stitches overlap, so it is more continuous. When stitching, the thread always stays below the needle and stitching line.
Encroaching stem stitch
Encroaching stem stitch is a variation of stem stitch. This version makes a wider line that is great for thick borders or lines.
See Encroaching Stem Stitch tutorial
Portuguese knotted stem stitch
This stem stitch variation forms a knotted line.
See Portuguese Knotted Stem Stitch tutorial
Outline stitch
Outline stitch is often confused with stem stitch. It is very similar. The only difference is that the thread always stays above the needle and stitching line.
Chevron
Chevron stitch includes straight stitches in a zig zag line. This is a good stitch for borders.
Split back stitch
This version of back stitch has extra texture because the stitches are split by the needle.
See Split Back Stitch tutorial
Triple back stitch
This stitch is trickier than it looks to do. It is often used as a decorative stitch in traditional pojagi.
See Triple Back Stitch tutorial
Pekinese
This stitch is trickier than it looks to do. It is often used as a decorative stitch in traditional pojagi.
Turkey work
In turkey work, the loops can either be left as is or cut apart. A lot of these stitches close together can give the look of fur or curls.
Zig zag stitch
Cross stitches with added bars can be used as a border or filling stitch
Wrapped back stitches
These variations involves adding another thread to the basic back stitch. The thread is woven into the stitches, it doesn’t pierce the fabric. It is always taken under the stitches in the same direction so that it wraps the stitches.
Double wrapped back stitch
Wrapping the stitches in two directions makes it unrecognizable. This line has a fun texture.
Laced back stitch
Laced back stitch involves weaving another thread through the stitches, but the directions are alternated. Up, then down, then up, then down.
Double laced back stitch
Lacing in both directions gives balance to the stitch.
Interlaced back stitch
Two lines of back stitch can be laced together. This is called interlacing stitches.
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More Embroidery Resources
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Detailed Tutorials
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Embroidery Stitches
Check out the Embroidery Stitch Directory for lots of inspiration.