Embroidering with Running Stitch
Running stitch is the most basic sewing stitch. If you’ve ever learned to sew by hand, this is most likely what you did. It is used in garment making, crafts and quilting.
Because it’s a utility stitch, it is often overlooked as an embroidery stitch. Don’t make that mistake! It can be an effective decorative stitch.
See it all
Below you will find:
- video
- ideas for using running stitch in embroidery projects
- tutorial for doing the running stitch
- running stitch variations
- projects that use running stitch
When to use running stitch
- Outlining shapes
- Fillers with light colour density
- Shadows
- Secret Morse code messages
- Fake perforations
- With birds and insects to show movement
- With eyes to indicate staring
- Anywhere else you want a dotted line …
Check out this tutorial for a flower embroidery project stitched exclusively with running stitch.
Running Stitch Tutorial
There are two variations for stitching a running stitch. You will have a favourite, but feel free to switch back and forth depending on the situation.
Picking up stitches
Place the end of the needle in the fabric. Rock the needle back so that the end comes back to the front. Without pulling it through, rock the needle back down so that the end goes back into the fabric.
Repeat as many times as comfortable and then pull the needle through.
This method makes a number of running stitches at the same time. With practice, it can be a very fast way to stitch a piece.
Stabbing stitches
If picking up stitches is awkward, stabbing each stitch is a good option. Just bring the needle up and down at the end of each stitch. It is slower, but more accurate.
Running stitch variations
Long and short
Varying the length of the stitches gives a whole new look.
See the tutorial for long and short running stitch.
If you know morse code, you can hide secret messages into your running stitches.
Darning stitch
These stitches are traditionally used in darning, but they can also be used to fill in spaces in decorative embroidery.
See the tutorial for darning stitch.
Two-colour Darning stitch
Darning stitch can also be stitched with two colours of thread.
See the tutorial for two-colour darning stitch.
Japanese darning stitch
Japanese darning stitch looks like an intricate pattern.
See the tutorial for Japanese darning stitch.
Glove stitch
Glove stitch makes a vertical zig zag stitch.
See the tutorial for glove stitch.
Holbein stitch
This running stitch variation looks the same on both the front and the back of the embroidery.
See the tutorial for Holbein stitch.
Wrapped running stitches
aka whipped running stitch
Add some interest and texture to running stitch by adding a wrapped (or whipped) thread. This is a thread that is woven into the running stitches. It doesn’t pierce the fabric, but floats between the fabric and running stitches. All the stitches are taken in the same direction.
Basic wrapped running stitch
See the tutorial for basic wrapped running stitch.
Two-colour wrapped running stitch
See the tutorial for two-colour wrapped running stitch.
Double wrapped running stitch
See the tutorial for double wrapped running stitch.
Two-colour Double wrapped running stitch
See the tutorial for two-colour double wrapped running stitch.
Three-colour Double wrapped running stitch
See the tutorial for three-colour double wrapped running stitch.
Laced running stitch
Laced running stitch is also made by weaving in another thread. The difference between this and wrapped running stitch is that the stitches alternate in direction – up, down, up, etc.
See the tutorial for laced running stitch.
Two-colour laced running stitch
See the tutorial for two-colour laced running stitch.
Double laced running stitch
See the tutorial for double laced running stitch.
Two-colour double laced running stitch
See the tutorial for two-colour double laced running stitch.
Interlaced running stitch
Interlaced running stitch is done with multiple lines of running stitch laced together.
See the tutorial for interlaced running stitch.
There are variations for interlaced running stitch.
Two-colour interlaced running stitch
See the tutorial for two-colour interlaced running stitch.
Three-colour interlaced running stitch
See the tutorial for three-colour interlaced running stitch.
Two-colour double interlaced running stitch
See the tutorial for two-colour double interlaced running stitch.
Three-colour double interlaced running stitch
See the tutorial for three-colour double interlaced running stitch.
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