Decorative Stitches

DECORATIVE STITCHES

Embroidery is the art of using decorative stitches. With these stitches ornamen-tal motifs can be worked on almost all soft surfaces. It is important to know all the basic embroidery stitches so that the learner can effectively uses them for creat-ing beautiful design. Stitches are selected based on the fabric and garment.

Stem Stitch

Description

·           It is a commonly used stitch in embroidery work.

·           It is used to complete the outline of any design.

·           It is also used as a filling stitch when worked closely.

Method

·           Bring needle up at 1 on right side.

·           Take down needle at 2 to the wrong side and up at 3, half way between 1 and 2.

·           Insert needle and take needle just next to the point 2.

·           The length of all the stitches should be the same (Figure 7.5).

Straight Stitch

Description

·           These stitches can be worked in any direction.

·           The stitches are worked in varying sizes to create an interesting effect.

·           This is worked on a evenly woven fabric.

·           It is also called as single satin stitch.

·           Right and wrong side of this stitch is similar.

Method

·           Bring needle up at 1 and insert at 2.

·           Again take needle up at 3 and insert at 4

·           It is better to work in same direction. For e.g. bottom to top, or from top to bottom (Figure 7.6).

Fly Stitch

Description

·           These stitches can be worked hori-zontally or vertically.

·           It is also used as a single detached stitch.

·           It can be used well to cover a line or to do filling for a large space.

Method

·           Bring needle up at 1 and down at 2 leaving a loop of thread.

·           Bring needle up at 3 inside the loop, insert down at 4 outside the loop and catch a small straight stitch.

·           Repeat the process (Figure 7.7).

Seed Stitch

Description

·           This is a tiny running stitch.

·           It is used to fill small motifs or space.

Method

·           Bring needle up at 1 and insert at 2 catching a tiny stitch.

·           Again bring needle up at 3 and take down at 4. This should be made closer to the first stitch.

·           Repeat the process (Figure 7.8)

Cable Stitch

Description

·           It is also known as side to side hem stitch.

·           Looks like a brick stitch.

Method

·           Mark 4 points

·           1, 2, 3 and 4 on a straight line.

·           Take thread out at 1, insert at 3 and then take out at 2.

·           To complete one set of stitch insert needle at 4 and take out at 3.

·           Continue stitching as per instruc-tions (Figure 7.9).

Chain Stitch

Description

·           It is formed by making series of loops.

·           It is the oldest of all stitches.

Method

·           Mark the points 1 and 2.

·           Take out needle at 1 and insert nee-dle at the same point and take out needle at 2.

·           Before taking the needle out wind thread from left to right and pull the needle gently to form a chain.

·           To continue the second chain insert needle at point 2 and continue the sequence (Figure 7.10).

Lazy Daisy Stitch

Description

·           It is one of the detached stitches.

·           A single chain stitch form a lazy daisy stitch.

Method

·           Pull thread from point 1 and insert the needle at the same point.

·           Take out needle at 2.

·           Wind thread from left to right, pull the needle and lock the stitch at point 3 (Figure 7.11).

Magic Chain Stitch

Description

·           This is a variation of chain stitch.

·           Two coloured threads are used while stitching.

·           Chain stitches are created by winding alternate colour threads. (Figure 7.12).

Blanket Stitch

Description

·           This stitch is used to finish the blan-ket edges.

·           It secures the edges and is stitched from left to right or from right to left .

Method

·           Take needle at 1 and insert 2.

·           Lay thread parallel to point 1.

·           Insert needle at 2 and take out at 3.

·           Loop the thread around needle to from a stitch (Figure 7.13).

Satin Stitch

Description

·           Satin stitch is a filling stitch.

·           It is used to cover small space.

·           This is a straight and flat stitch.

Method

·           Take needle at 1 and insert at 2.

·           Pull the needle at 3 and insert at 4.

·           Repeat the process and complete the filling of any pattern (Figure 7.14)