Embroidery Stitch - Decorative Stitches Used in Hand Sewing

There are two types of stitches that is used in hand sewing. These are plain stitches and ornamental / embroidery stitches. Most plain stitches are sometimes used for decorative or ornamental embroidery.

In using plain stitches for embroidery / decorations, basting stitch is called Queen Anne darned work. Overhand stitch is used to join hems and selvages, back stitch is called seed work which is used in monograms and to embroider letters. Chain stitch is also used in ornamental stitches as darning stitch.

These are some of the most used embroidery stitches in hand sewing: hem stitch, chain stitch, outline stitch, button hole stitch, feather, coral or briar stitch, blanket or loop, french knots, cat or herring bone stitch, satin stitch and cross stitch.

All the above mentioned types of ornamental stitches are all related to types of plain stitches except cross stitch.

You will find embroidery free patterns online at the bottom of this hub/article. Enjoy your embroidery stitching journey.

Hemstitching is the art of using hand sewing to make tucks and hems for decorative or ornamental purpose. The design of hem stitching as ornament varies as some hem stitches can be done straight or diagonally.

Chain stitch always look like when one is using a single thread on sewing machine to sew. The needle used in chain stitch is inserted in the last loop when stitching the next stitch. Chain stitch is used as darning stitch when used for ornamental or embroidery design.

Embroidery buttonhole stitch is quite different from plain stitch buttonhole as it is worked from left to right and not from right to left as in buttonhole in plain stitch. Ornamental buttonhole stitch is used on flannels and on embroidery of all types.

There are single, double and triple feather stitches that can be made very ornamental and used for all types of fabric materials and in sewing. The same method used in buttonhole stitch is used with feather stitch by carrying the threads under the needle.

Blanket or loop stitches are used to decorate the edges of blankets and are used to finish any web material. The blanket stitch is worked from left to right , and the edge of the fabric material is held towards the worker.

French knots are used to stitch centers of flowers, initials and to fill in stitch. The easy way to stitch french knot is to use small back stitches. French knot can be used in combination with other stitches to enclose borders in outline and also in chain stitches.

Cat stitches or herring bone stitches are used as ornamental design by using the back stitch in a slanting way.Herringbone stitch is mostly used to finish hems, opened seams, flannel seams, fastening down linings, canvas facing and feather bone.

Satin stitches are used to mark linen or other fabric materials. It is a kind of stitch that is used over and over again as it is a flat stitch. satin stitch can be used in monogramming. The stitches are worked closely together and can be stitched on any direction.

Cross stitch can be used on open-meshed materials, linen, or canvas. Cross stitch can be used to mark underwear, table linens and other embroidery designs.