Straight Stitch - Learn This Modern Embroidery Technique

Introduction

This technique is super simple – it's all about creating a single stitch, either on its own or grouped up to create a design. For example, you could make a simple leaf using just one Straight Stitch.

Or get creative and fan out a group of Straight Stitches from one point to shape a star. I think of it as the basic building block for lots of embroidery techniques– for instance, if you work a bunch of Straight Stitches along a line, you've created a Running Stitch. And if you line them up side by side, you're building up Satin Stitch.

The thing that sets the Straight Stitch apart from the rest, is that each stitch stands alone, not used for drawing lines or filling spaces.

There aren’t any hard and fast rules around this technique, it’s really flexible.

You can adjust the length of your Straight Stitches however you like. Just a heads up: if you make them super long (like over an inch), they might get a bit wavy or snag on stuff.

Let’s try it out:

Step 1

Start by bringing your needle up from the back of the fabric to the front, right where you want your first stitch to begin. Gently pull the working thread through to the front, so that your knot secures the thread at the back.

Step 2

Next, poke your needle back down through the fabric at the end point of the first stitch.

Step 3

Gently pull the working thread through to the back (no need to pull it super tight). See how you’ve made a single stitch that lays flat against the fabric? That’s your first Straight Stitch, easy peasy!  

Step 4

Bring your needle up at the start of the nearest stitch, and back down again at the end of that stitch. Now you’ve created a second Straight Stitch, well done!

Step 5

Keep following this process to work all of your Straight Stitches.

Step 6

When you've finished, secure and tidy away your thread.

Video examples:

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