Learn how to do straight stitch. Taking a simple approach to decorative stitching and using the humble straight stitch will add a little flash of brilliance to your sewing. Is straight stitch embroidery difficult? Not a bit! The needle point goes into the fabric and straight out again to form the stitch – simple but effective.
Straight Stitch Tutorial
What is Straight Stitch Embroidery?
The straight stitch is classified as a simple embroidery stitch made by creating a straight stitch that can be any length, but it must be straight.
The straight stitch is very versatile and sometimes called backstitch or even flat stitch, but its purpose is the same. Straightforward and easy, this stitch will always be a winner to add just a few simple lines to enhance your work.
Here are some examples of straight stitches. Even though the stitches are straight, they don't need to be boring. Straight stitch embroidery can be used to create flowers, leaves, lines, and shapes.
Straight stitch for seams, topstitching, and hems can also be done on your sewing machine. However, this tutorial focuses on embroidery straight stitch.
When to Use Straight Stitch Embroidery
The straight stitch can be used to add texture and creativity to an item. It is the perfect little addition for:
- Enhancing a simple blouse or collar with some decorative detail.
- Filling in an area of design or shading with an outline stitch.
- Adding density or closing in an area – often called satin stitch in this style.
- Used in different directions, the straight stitch makes beautiful starbursts, geometrical shapes, and broken or unbroken lines.
- It can add detail to artistic embroideries, such as pictures and scenery.
- Useful as a detail to floral work and used in ribbon embroidery.
- Adds detail to table wear and little girl’s dresses.
How to Do Straight Stitch Embroidery
If you are new to embroidery, have a read of my article on how to embroider. This is a good starting point for learning all about the tools you will need and some basic stitches.
To do this straight stitch embroidery, it is best to use a hoop to hold the fabric tight. The needle should fit your embroidery floss.
Step 1 - Secure the Tail
Start with your embroidery thread at the back of the fabric. A knot or double backstitch will secure the thread.
Step 2 - First Straight Stitch
Make your first straight stitch by inserting the needle from the back of the fabric to the front.
Step 3 - Insert Next Point
Then create the stitch by inserting the needle some distance away from the beginning to take the stitch across some of the fabric.
Insert the needle into the fabric and pull it through to the back.
Step 4 - Repeat More Straight Stitches
This action completes one straight stitch. Repeating the stitch and following different patterns will complete the design. You can combine your straight stitches to make flowers, leaves, stems, and various shapes. Variation can also be achieved with a different stitch length.
Step 5 - Ending
When you are ready to end off, pull the thread to the back of the fabric and knot or weave the thread into the back of the stitches.
Straight Stitch Embroidery - In Conclusion
Straight down the line, with no hidden agenda, this is a great stitch for the novice who would like to add some decorative lines to their garment. Straight stitch embroidery can be used for many different purposes and is the basis of many other types of stitches, including fly, fern, and seed stitch.
Tools
- Embroidery Hoop
- Embroidery Needle
Materials
- Embroidery Floss
Instructions
- Start with your embroidery thread at the back of the fabric. A knot or double backstitch will secure the thread. Make your first stitch by inserting the needle from the back of the fabric to the front.
- Then create the stitch by inserting the needle some distance away from the beginning to take the stitch across some of the fabric. Insert the needle into the fabric and pull it through to the back.
- Repeat to complete the design.
- Combine straight stitches to make different patterns.
MORE EMBROIDERY STITCHES
- Backstitch
- Blanket Stitch
- Buttonhole Stitch
- Chain Stitch
- Chevron Stitch
- Couching Stitch
- Cross Stitch
- Double Herringbone Stitch
- How to Embroider
- Faggoting Embroidery
- Feather Stitch
- Fern Stitch
- Fishbone Stitch
- Fly Stitch
- French Knots
- Hand Embroidery Stitches
- Herringbone Stitch
- Lazy Daisy
- Running Stitch
- Sashiko Embroidery
- Satin Stitch
- Seed Stitch Embroidery (Rice Stitch)
- Stem Stitch
- Straight Stitch
- Web Stitch | Embroidery Tutorial
- Whip Stitch
Leave a Reply