Straight Stitch - Learn This Modern Embroidery Technique

This image shows straight stitch stitched on fabric.

Introduction


Welcome embroidery newbies, today I am going to teach you the simplest of all embroidery stitches, the straight stitch. This is the first stitch I would recommend you learn on your embroidery journey, so look no further than this blog to learn how!


Basically, this is just a single stitch, which can be used either on its own or with other straight stitches to make a pattern. For example, a group of straight stitches could all fan out from a single point to make a star. Or you could use single straight stitches to make leaves along a stem. 


Firstly, straight stitches can be any length but don’t make them too long or they might snag.


The common feature of a straight stitch is that each stitch is separated from the rest, rather than stitched consecutively in a line (eg. running stitch) or stitched right up beside each other (like satin stitch).


There aren’t any hard and fast rules around this technique, it’s really just there for you to use as you need in your designs!


So, let’s look at how to do a single straight stitch.

Step 1


Bring your needle up from the underside of the fabric to the front at the starting point of your stitch. Pull through all the slack, so that your thread is secured at the back with its knot. 

This an image of step 1 of straight stitch.
This an image of step 1 of straight stitch.

Step 2


Take your needle back down through the fabric at the other side of the line. Gently pull through all the slack so that the thread sits nice a flat against the fabric. See how you’ve made a single stitch? Easy peasy!

This an image of step 2 of straight stitch.
This an image of step 2 of straight stitch.

Step 3


If you want to do more than just one straight stitch, now you can bring your needle up at the start of the next stitch (the one that is closest to the one that you have just done), and back down again. And so on and so forth!

This an image of step 3 of straight stitch.

In these videos, I’ve shared some cool ways to use Straight Stitch, which you will hopefully find really helpful.

Examples of Straight 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 Five Flowers pattern. See the straight stitches that make some leaves? 

This is an image of the beginner's pattern Five Flowers,' with the leaves created using straight stitch.
This is an image of the beginner's pattern Five Flowers,' with the leaves created using straight stitch.

Next, here's my Winter Wonderland pattern. See the detailed conifer trees? Those are made up with a whole bunch of little Straight Stitches. Pretty cool huh?! 

Trees from the Winter Wonderland pattern use straight stitches to make up the leaves.
Trees from the Winter Wonderland pattern use straight stitches to make up the leaves.

Finally, here's my Daisy Blooms pattern. Did you realise that the beautiful golden accents on each petal are Straight Stitches? In this case, the stitches are added right over the top of the cream Satin Stitch that fills the petals. It really makes these petals pop!  

Straight stitches make up the accents on the petals in the Daisy Blooms pattern.
Straight stitches make up the accents on the petals in the Daisy Blooms pattern.

Conclusion


Congratulations, I am so happy that you have learnt how to do the simplest of all modern embroidery stitches, straight stitch! This is a great basis for all the other embroidery stitches you are going to learn on your modern embroidery journey. Plus, it will also hold you in good stead for many beginner modern embroidery patterns.

 

So there you have it, all the steps you will need to do a straight stitch! 

What's next?

 

If you enjoyed learning how to do straight stitches, 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.

 

I would totally recommend this course, as it covers many basic embroidery stitches you will need to create the vast majority of modern embroidery patterns out there, and you can also do this course 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, are you excited to try your first modern embroidery stitch?