Back Stitch - Learn This Modern Embroidery Technique

This image shows hands doing back stitch on embroidery fabric.

Introduction

Hello embroidery newbies, let’s brush up one of the simplest and most-used modern embroidery stitches, back stitch. Believe me - you are going to want to have this stitch in your embroidery toolbox!

Back stitch is a great stitch for creating a solid line for outlines and stalks of flowers. It’s very similar to running stitch, except you’re going back to fill in the gaps you have left.

Excuse the pun, but let’s get back to the task at hand… back stitch!

Step 1

To begin with, start on the left-hand side of your pattern, and do a couple of running stitches.

Step 2

When you come up from the second one (which will be a stitch on the underside of your fabric), instead of continuing forwards, turn back and do a stitch over the gap.

Poke your needle back down into the same hole in which you came from.

Step 3

Now go forwards (under the fabric) two stitch lengths ahead, and bring your needle up.

Then once again, turn back and fill in the gap.

Keep following these steps, and soon you’ll have made a steady solid line of stitches.

TIP: You can stab or sew this stitch, depending on your preference.

Examples of Back Stitch in my patterns

Let's look at some examples of how you can use this awesome foundation stitch in your work! First up, here's my Little Wildflower Meadow pattern.See the stalks of the flowers? Most of them are worked with Back Stitch.

This is an image of the modern embroidery pattern, Little Wildflower Meadow, which uses back stitch in the flower stems.

Next, here's my Festive Alphabet pattern. So many elements on this pattern feature Back Stitch! For example the sprigs, the rind of the dried oranges and the holly branch stems. Isn't it so versatile?

This is an image of the Festive Alphabet pattern, which uses back stitch in the design.

Also, here's my Gardening Bee pattern. Most of the plant stems are worked with Back Stitch. Isn't this so gorgeous?!

This image is of the Gardening Bee pattern, which uses back stitch.

Conclusion

Yay, I am so happy that you can now do back stitches! This is one of the first beginner embroidery stitches I recommend people learn, as it is perfect for lines and outlines. So keep practising, and I promise you’ll be a pro in no time at all!

So there you have it, my tips and steps so that you understand how to do back stitch. Woo-hoo, go you!

What's next?

If you enjoyed learning how to do back stitch, then you may also enjoy my Modern Embroidery Foundations Course.

This course takes you through all the beginner techniques and knowledge you need to make your first beginner pattern, Little Wildflower Meadow! Plus, it includes a beautiful second pattern, Blooming Lovely, which is a fantastic place to practice your newfound skills. Plus, both of these patterns use back stitch in the design, so they are a great way to practice this new technique!

I would totally recommend this course, as it covers many more stitch techniques than this blog, and you can work along at your own place. Plus, this is a great way to hold yourself accountable for your own me-time and continue on your path to becoming a modern embroidery superstar.

P.S. Have you checked out this blog yet, 'Learn Modern Embroidery for Beginners with this FREE Pattern?'

So, what pattern are you going to try back stitch on first?

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