Stitches

Blanket Stitch

Blanket stitch is so confusing to put in words, so to make it easier, here is a video below.

Some things to know about Blanket Stitch:

- It is a decorative stitch
- It can be done in different ways
- Blanket stitch is best done using embroidery thread

Hemming stitch

Hemming stitch is used for hemming. It is sort of like blanket stitch.

How to do hemming stitch:

1. Tie knot in thread.
2. Fold a seam and pin in place.
3. Bring the needle through the fabric below the fold { as small as you can do it } about one tiny weave in the fabric. Do not pull yet.
4. Bring needle also up through the fold { as small as you can do it } about one tiny weave in the fabric. Now pull thread through.
5. Repeat sequence.

Apologies for confusing instructions. Images coming soon.

Whip stitch:

Whip stitch is very simple. It is used to join a fold to a fabric or two fabrics together.

How to do whip stitch:

1. Make a fold { if you haven't got one already }. Pin in place.
2. Thread needle and secure in fabric.
3. Bring needle up through the fold
4. Bring needle down through the fabric diagonally below the fold .
5. Repeat sequence.

Below is an image of the whip stitch.

Stem stitch:

The stem stitch is the opposite side of back stitch. The only difference is that you are trying to make the back of back stitch straight which is stem stitch. Hold the fabric where you will do stem stitch to face you. 

How to do stem stitch:

1. Thread your needle and bring through the fabric 3 or 4 times to make it secure.

2. With the needle and thread facing the opposite direction you are in, do a starting stitch { - } .

3. Bring the needle up through the fabric and back to the start where you threaded your needle.

4. Repeat sequence.

My apologies if these instructions are confusing.

Below is the stem stitch in green thread. The yellow stitch is back stitch.

Back stitch

Back stitch is the strongest of all stitches. They form lines and are most often used to outline shapes or to add detail to an embroidered picture.

How to do back stitch:

1. Thread needle and bring up through fabric. Then bring needle down through fabric. Repeat sequence 2 times, going over the previous stitch. This will be more secure than tying a knot.
2. Bring needle up a stitch length away.
3. Bring needle back down to where you started.
4. Bring needle up at stitch length away from step 2.
5. Repeat sequence.

As you will see, your stitches are going forward, then backwards.

The yellow stitch above is the back stitch. The green stitch below is the stem stitch.

Always try to have straight stitches.

How to do running stitch:

Running stitch is a simple stitch. It is, as many other stitches, used to join fabrics together.

1. Thread needle and tie knot at the end.
2. Bring needle up through fabric.
3. Bring needle back down a stitch length away.
4. Bring needle up through fabric a stitch length away.
5. Repeat sequence.

As you will see, your needle is going in and out.