Stitch Leaf: Rice Stitch

Stitch leaves using the Rice Stitch.

The maple leaf is beautifully shaped. In my tropical place, where the seasons are not clearly defined into four types, finding a color-changing tree is not easy. Maple leaves are fascinating to me, and their colors are super beautiful. Maple trees are bright green in summer when they produce as much ‘food’ as possible by capturing sunlight in the green pigments, also called Chlorophyll. As Autumn approaches, this green pigment or Chllorophyl dwindles due to reduced sunlight. They go into a state of dormancy. With no Chlorophyll, the leaves reveal warmer colors like yellow, orange, and flaming red. This leaf is inspired by the autumn maple leaf. It is drawn by hands and quickly- might not look perfect. After drawing the leaf, I looked for a stitch that would provide the texture and color, but not really make it look too chunky or solid. Rice Stitch (also known as Seeding) was the answer. It could be time-consuming, but the result is beautiful. Try out this method of filling on any kind of leaf!

How to embroider leaves using the Rice Stitch


Fig 1: Get your fabric, hoop, and threads ready. I am using a 4″ hoop and will use 3 strands of thread.	Fig 2: Start by stitching the outline of the leaves using Back Stitch.

Fig 3: Keep the corners sharp and crisp.	Fig 4: Continue stitching all around the leaf.

Fig 5: Finish all the leaf and stitch the veins too.	Fig 6: Now, start working the Rice Stitch.

Fig 7: I am stitching them small and in a lighter shade.	Fig 8: The leaf is done! I finished the stem using the Back Stitch.

Tips to make your embroidered leaf beautiful

Work the outlines using a Straight-line stitch, like the Stem Stitch or the Back Stitch, first.
Keep the Rice Stitch consistent to achieve a uniform look on the overall pattern.

Related Projects