About Hand Embroidery Stitches
Stitching or sewing has a history dating back to prehistoric times. It is believed, with archaeological pieces of evidence, that sewing must have come into being since the stone ages when people had begun to sew to attach pieces of animal skin using needles made of bones, antlers, and ivory. They probably must have used threads made of animal parts like veins, or plants.
As the times progressed and sewing started to become an integral part of life, not only newer methods of sewing styles developed but many other materials were tried as needles and threads. For many thousands of years, sewing or stitching was done exclusively by hands. Later, machines that helped to assist sewing and weaving were developed. The invention of sewing machines in the 19th century and computerization in the 20th century led to a revolution in the textile industry with the mass production of sewn objects.
Although sewing or stitching is commonly associated with clothing and fabrics, it must not be forgotten that this skill is used in many other craft areas like making shoes, bags, sporting goods, and all those things associated with attaching pieces of fabric. Sewing also comprises a wider range of art in the textile industry like embroidery, tapestry, quilting, applique, weaving, etc… Our tutorials deal with one of such arts: Hand Embroidery, which is very much practiced even today in spite of all the invasion of machine-made, ‘perfect’ sewn objects. It should be admitted, though, that it is a dying art with hobbyists finding lesser time and patience. On the other hand, hand embroidery is an important means of livelihood for many people in different countries. There are more than 400 types of different stitches from around the globe and even more types of hand embroideries. The stitches and associated hand embroideries can speak volumes of the history of its people, culture, and times.
This section of the tutorial will teach you the various hand embroidery stitches. These stitches are categorized based on certain families they belong to. These families are distinguished based on the nature of the technique used to create a particular stitch. It is possible that some stitches belong to more than one family, but an effort has been made to minimize the confusion. Hand stitching is an art to be perfected with patience and perseverance. It helps us in creative expression and ultimately gives us the satisfaction that most other hobbies can give. Happy learning…happy stitching. 🙂
You can go directly to the pages of each family from here:
Stitch Families
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Running Stitch Family
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Stem Stitch Family
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Chain Stitch Family
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Chevron Stitch Family
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Knots Family
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Palestrina Family
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Satin Stitch Family
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Fishbone Family
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Fly Stitch Family
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Feather Stitch Family
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Blanket Stitch Family
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Cretan Stitch Family
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Cross Stitch Family
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Herringbone Family
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Couching Family
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Weaving Stitch Family
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We have a dedicated Hand Embroidery Book with a picture dictionary and step-by-step guides to 300+ stitches. Buy now and start stitching!
Sarah has been researching and sharing hand embroidery lessons for over 17 years, making it accessible to everyone around the globe.
Hello, love your site, it is a delight. I have just finished a baby quilt and here is one of the squares using your special stitches.
It seemed to load upside down? Hope you can flip it?
Kind regards
Sue
Australia
Dear Sarah. I am retired now. I was wondering what I was going to do next as my gardening is getting so difficult, as I ha e trouble with my back. When I saw how many stitches there are…I immediately wanted to get started! I’ll be 70 soon…so I better find some patterns. I still have my threads from when I crossstitched years ago. Thank you!
Dear madam, all your emb. in (basic hand embroidery) are looks nice and easy to learn and make stitch.I thank you so much.Once again
Thank you
regards
T.sarojini
Dear Sarah
Hai,
can u pls teach me also how to do embroidery works . I feel bore at home. To utilize my spare time in a interesting way this is the best to thing one should learn. I would like to learn something about bead and other embroidery works. Can you teach me. Pls reply to my mail.
Thanks
Keep it up
Indulakshmi
Dear Sarah,
Thank you so much for these wonderful tutorials! I have started to learn hand embroidery and I am amazed by what I am able to do!
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how many stich are there in hand embroidery…
At 71, one would think I’d have this computer figured out; however, navigating these sites about gives me a break down!
How can I print out the different stitches to be used on a crazy quilt and how to do them?
Thanks
Hi Sarah,
I really want to do embroidery after seeing your tuotrials. I have ordered the materials to learn this after 30 years… But am sure your site will lead me undoubtly… Thanks for your time and hardwork to make these pages and fotos as I know how its tied up with the kids… Thanks again Sarah & Roxie for your great job.. Please do send me a note when the book gets completed I would luv to get that soon..
Hey Sarah.. Thank u sooo much for the wonderful explanation. As am a beginner, i didnt know even a single stitch. when i end up at ur site.. i got a confidence that atleast i can start learning stitching.. u hv given the minute details and superb explanation how to do each and every step.. really great.. 🙂
Wow. Just wow. Your website is the single best embroidery/stitch resource I have found. I am very much a beginner and I’m so incredibly grateful that there is someone like you out there. I can’t imagine all the time and effort it must have taken you/y’all to put together such an awesome reference. And, it’s free! I had no idea there were so many different stiches! I can’t wait to try them all. It will take years. I’m confident, though, that I’ll be able to do them, thanks to your website. Just wanted to say thanks!
Hey Sarah! This page is really useful! It has every stitch a beginner would want and the explanation is precise and simple too. Keep posting and sharing. 🙂
your website is the best out there so keep up the good job sarah!!!!
If possible, please can you help on knitting and tatting?
Hi Sarah & Rock Sea,
I am very happy and satisfied with your hard work because
1. I have recalled all the stitches which were forgotten
2. Learnt many unknown stitches.
3. I was not knowing name of many of the stitches.
I have searched many books and sites for the basic embroidery stitches but could not found the one which I was searching for. Before, I have visited your site but was unable to see that you have bifurcated the stitches under families. Its amazing friends you have just done a fantastic job.
Am always thankful to you.
one more thing wanna ask is what the fabric is called in english which v use for cross stitch the picture sent by val lovelace above plzzz help me out
dear Meena,
The cloth is called Matty fabric or Aida fabric.
i am beginnner in this part so i choose your web to conduct more
thanks
hello sarah! Your website is awesome and very helpful…. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise…. I do love doing embroidery… I am a fashion designer and hand embroidery is my forte…. I have just started working…. I am currently based in rajasthan….
Hey sarah..
M a beginner n a person who use to feel embroidery is very difficult…
Bt thnkz to u n ur tutorialz…. I jst love doing embroidery… Its been a piece of cake coz of u….thnk u so much…
I wnt to learn kutch or sindi embroidery too…plzzzz help….:-)
your description are very specific and is very helpful….
thank you very much….
hi Sarah,
if i have any doubts i will mail u dear!!!
Dear Hindumathy,
Thanks for your comment. It is nice to know that despite your lovely baby, you are able to find time for finer things like learning embroidery. 🙂
If you have any doubts, you can just post it here and I shall respond to it. It will also help other beginners as well.
hi Sarah,
u r such a great teacher in embroidery!!! noone can fill Ur place in embroidery!!! Ur tutorial is very much useful and helpful for me!!! its a great boon for all the beginners in embroidery!!! i am from hosur which is near Bangalore!!! i am having 8 month girl baby!!! her name is hiranmayi!!! from her 6th month onwards i am learning embroidery!!! i am learning for my cute Angel!!! its more interesting to learn this!!! happy to being Ur student!!! all the best for Ur future steps!!! u keep on discover more and more in embroidery!!!
with love & care,
hindumathy.
Hi Sarah,
The site is really wonderful and helpful, I got many valid information from your site and its really appreciable to see that, you are updating and giving replies for all the doubts..
Hi……….
I Really Liked your way Of teaching. It helped me a lot to learn the things.
Thank You So much.
Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice even as you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided brilliant transparent idea
hi sarah,
thanks sarah for the tutorials.. it is really good to see and quite easy to learn.. thanks you ..
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for creating such an awesome website. I went through each tutorial to refresh my memory. It was great. I am now planning on going back to some hand embroidery. It is very unique when you can put all of this into action. Now I can help my daughter to broaden her knowledge by sharing this website . Thank you!
Really awesome tutorial
A beginner can learn easily how to stich
Thanks for such a comprehensive approach to stitches. I have mastered most of the basics and have been looking for more advanced stitches and combos. Hand embroidery has been a type of physical therapy for a hand injury. Your site is a real inspiration!
Hi, just wanted to thank you for this site. I am teaching myself and have looked everywhere for guidance…can’t understand any other web instructions but yours! Yours are so clear, and I also love the background and history you give. I embroidered a lavender bag for my daughter for Xmas with your help, and she said it was her favourite present ever.
wala pong picture?
This is such a great reference site for different stitches! I really enjoyed browsing and brushing up on a few. =) I’ve been doing embroidery for 12 years now, but for the most part it’s cross stiching with basic things like eyelets, french knots, etc. Good to have this handy for when I get the rare “fancy” stitch. Thanks!
Hey Sarah!
I’m 14 and I am currently doing embroidery in my GCSE option (textiles) and I really love it! So I came across your website and it has really helped me! I’m doing embroidering just for fun and to make nice cushion covers. Thanks a lot for your help! Feel free to email me
salam sarah its realy good to see your tutorials……..They are very nice………sarah your tutorials are very helpful to me……your stitches very nice ………its amazing …..thankyou very much……. keep it up. take care 🙂
Sarah,
These tutorials are excellent! I learned to embroider as a child along with many other textile arts but did not continue them throughout my adulthood. My artwork has been in other areas but I have recently jumped back in to the textile arts and embroidery.
Thank you!
Hi Sarah,
its really good to see your tutorials. They are really nice. I used to do embroidery ages ago but stooped due to my studies. Now i want to make a good shirt using embroidery. But i’m unable to decide which stitch to use in filling geometrical designs. I haven’t done filling work before. It will be so kind of u to help me regarding my Big problem as I have no one else to guide me.
Hey Sarah,
Nice Work Thanks a lot for sharing the information.
Can you help me and inform me the type of stitches one can use for manufacturing of handkerchiefs for both the genders.
Wanted to share this…I made an embroidery “kit” using some of your stitch tutorials…this little pouch contains my needles and embroidery scissors.
Really nicely done. I like the neatness and elegance. 🙂
Dear Val,
We are working on an Ebook with illustrated tutorials of about 200 and more stitches. We want to include samples of some of our readers. Since your stitches and pictures are really neat and good, I would like to ask if we can consider to include the ones you uploaded in our website as well. Due credits will be given.
If you are okay with it, you can try to send some more of your stitch samples in high resolution too.
Thanks in advance.
Sarah
lovely! nice job =)
Hi Sarah,
I love your site and refer to it often as i am working on various projects. Your tutorials are wonderfully illustrated and are a clear result of your passion for this art.
I am wondering if you are familiar with Huck Weaving at all, and if you have any tutorials related to this kind of stitching?
Thanks for all your hard work on this site. It is such a valuable collection of information!
Val
Dear Val,
🙂 It is nice to know that you check our pages to learn and refer. I see that your works are really nice, neat and attractive. Thanks for all the works you have shared here. Please do keep sharing as it gives inspiration and ideas to many other learners. 🙂
I remember having done Huck weaving during school days (learnt from my mother) on my father’s military towels! It has been long since. Though I don’t have any tutorial ready for it, it would be great to make one.
Thanks, Sarah! I refer many people to your site…so beautifully and lovingly demonstrated…your passion for this art is obvious to me (and inspires me to continue my work!). I’ll let you know how the huck-weaving goes, and perhaps I can capture some photos during an upcoming project with a friend of mine.
Keep up your beautiful work, too. And thanks for sharing your time and knowledge to help the rest of us recover the gift of embroidery.
I learnt how to embroider here. I havent stopped since!
Hi Sara,
Ur space is too good. Infact I have learned all this (for jus 300rs, 10 yrs back) but had forgotten almost many including their names. U have inspired me to pursue my passion..now my morning coffee is wid u everyday.
Thnx a ton
Keep it up
🙂 It is great Mayuri that our pages have rekindled your passion for embroidery. Do try to share some of your works with us.
thank you so much for these tutorials
Thank you Shiza. I hope you enjoy learning from our pages. 🙂
Your stitch tutorials are amazing, thank you so much! Do you have a visual table of contents page somewhere that I’m missing? I’d love to skim through pictures of the stitches rather than just the text of their names to find inspiration.
Thanks again for all your hard work on this amazing site!!! 😀
Dear Carrie,
Thanks for reminding! We had been thinking on working on a ‘visual dictionary’, but the idea got lost between many other things. I should take it up as my next project and show it up on the website sometime soon. 🙂
Dear Carrie,
The picture index is ready and will be posted by weekend. 🙂
I’m so happy I stumbled upon your website. Thank you so much for the way you have illustrated so nicely all the stitches. You have motivated me to get back to stitching again 🙂 Keep up the good work 🙂
Dear Nischal,
Thank you very much for your comment. It feels really nice to know that our pages have put you back into your stitching interest. 🙂
dear Sarah,
its really amazing.. that any person can easily understand the pattern of stitch and most benefit is that no need to read the details and lines and stuffs,
by picture we can easily get the things and picture is also so neat and clean…
i really impressed that if your photographs and your work contents this much quality of work, based on this u must be very neat and transparent business strategies …
Dear Kinjal,
Thanks. It is nice to know that our pages are coming out to be very easy to learn from…just what we aimed for. 🙂
sarah,
if i would like to start any embroidary project which is comfortable for me in first step..
I am just beginning with Brazillian Embroidery and my pattern calls for a “Running Cast On Stitch”, a “Running Bullion Stitch”, and a “Knotted Lazy Daisy Stitch”. I am not finding these in your tutorials. Perhaps I just missed them, or maybe they are called something else?? Your tutorials are great and very clear to follow. Thank you for all the hard work to share them with us!
Dear Lee,
Thanks for inquiring. 🙂
My tutorial is yet to include the stitches you have mentioned. I do have the tutorial for bullion stitch.
I hope you will be able to find them in another reliable source to continue with your project.
I’ll try to put this to good use immediately.
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Their Main Page is Here >>> http://www.bdeig.org/
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25th anniversary of BDEIG – FREE booklet is the Guild’s gift to all interested in Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery.
Download Page >>> http://nebula.wsimg.com/ce33393a16d3aab46550b395862b5bdc?AccessKeyId=67FD68C47B9CBDD37977&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
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I suggest you look at these pages >>> https://tr.pinterest.com/pin/428475352038186090/
https://www.pinterest.com/tartansanta/embroidery-brazilian-dimensional/?lp=true
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I hope this helps !
Happy stitching.
hey 🙂 i really appreciate the effort and hardwork uve put in these tutorials…theyve helped me alot…but uve forgotten to include my favourite blanket stitch 🙁
and while goin through some sites, i came across a stitch called god’s eye stitch…can u plz upload a tutorial for this 1??
thnx a lot!!
Dear Maham,
Thanks for reminding. I will put God’s eye stitch under the woven stitch in a couple of days.
The blanket stitch and its variations are in my list, but is waiting to be made. 🙂 In fact I have 100s of stitches yet to upload. We won’t be at home for the coming 3-4 weeks, so will upload the blanket stitch after I return. I hope it is fine.
A wonderful tutorial. was looking for something like this in the web for a long time.
Thanks again and keepup your good work.
Thanks Dinu. 🙂
hi sara…your tutorials are very helpful to me….im just a biginner….by seing ur varius tupe of stitches im wondered…its amazing….thank you very much…….
Hello Lissa,
I am very happy to hear from you and know that you found our pages good, especially since you are a beginner. 🙂
Hope you create some wonderful embroidered designs to feel proud about.
Hi Sarah, just came across your site, its amazing.My mum died last year and she was a great embroiderer.I would love to learn.How much are your tutorial s?Thankyou for your site and clear instructions.thanks Judith