Decorative Embroidery Stitches
by KarensVariety.com

 

Blanket Stitch This is used on decorative borders and is usually made with a contrasting thread. Work from left to right. Draw thread through at desired distance from edge. Hold thread at left and toward you. Thrust needle through at desired depth and draw toward you, passing it over thread. Draw up until purl of thread lies along the edge. Keep stitches evenly spaced.
Blind Stitch This is used when an edge is to be fastened down with stitches as nearly invisible as possible. Work from right to left. Turn a hem and baste or press. Bring needle up through extreme edge of hem. At a point directly below, pick up 1 or 2 threads of material and slant needle up through extreme edge of hem for another stitch.
Bullion or Wheat Stitch Bring needle up at end of petal, thrust needle down at other end and bring point of needle up where needle was first brought up. Wind thread around needle 10 or more times, depending on length of petal. Draw needle and thread through and pass down at other end of petal, drawing stitch tight.
Catch Stitch Work from left to right. Bring needle out of material, work a back stitch below and slightly to right. On a line with place where thread was drawn through material, and slightly to right of previous stitch, take another back stitch. Continue to take back stitches alternately below and above.
Coral Stitch This is a decorative stitch which consists of making knots as shown, spacing each an equal distance apart on a curved or straight line.
Zig Zag Coral Stitch Work this stitch on two parallel lines. Throw thread around needle as shown, forming knots on each line in a zigzag fashion.
Eyelet Stitch Outline eyelet with tiny running stitches. Cut out 1 or 2 threads in center and with a round pointed object such as a knitting needle, punch hole to correct size. Work over edge and running stitches with over and over stitches, working as closely as possible without overlapping.
Feather Stitch Hold thread on left and toward you. Take a short diagonal stitch slanted to left, passing needle over thread. Draw to form loop as for a lazy daisy stitch. Hold thread at right and take a short diagonal stitch a little below previous one, slanting it to the right. Hold thread at left and take a diagonal stitch slanted to the left.
Herringbone Stitch This is often called the catch stitch. It forms the base for the herringbone stitch from which variations of herringbone are made.
Tacked Herringbones First make a row of catch stitch, then where the stitches cross, work a small single stitch over each point in a vertical or horizontal position.
Catch Stitch with Chain Stitch This makes an ornate herringbone stitch. Make a row of catch stitch, then work a single chain stitch over each point where the stitches cross.
Ladder or Step Stitch Make two parallel rows of chain stitch; then join these by making a long single stitch through center of every other chain stitch.
Long and Short Stitch These are alternate long and short stitches made from one end of a straight line to the other.
Outline and Stem Stitch These two stitches are basically interchangeable. To make a very fine line, the needle enters and leaves the fabric directly on the drawn line. If a wider stem is wanted, the needle enters and leaves a short distance either side of the line. In either case, you must use very short stitches so you can turn on curves. For the Outline Stitch, keep the thread above the needle. (your work will twist to the left) For the Stem Stitch, keep the thread below the needle. (your work will twist to the right)
Rambler Rose Stitch Make 3 or 4 loose stitches for center. Using outline stitch, work around and around the center. Make center stitches loose so work stands up, then draw stitches tighter as work moves towards edge.
Satin Stitch This stitch is used for filling small areas such as flower petals. Each stitch must be laid parallel with and quite close to the one beside it.
Split Stitch A very fine stitch which gives a slight padding effect. It is worked the same as the stem stitch but the point of the needle actually splits the thread close to its base, and the needle is drawn through this to make the second stitch.