at different angles.
WHIPPED RUNNING STITCH
Whip a second thread through a line of running stitch for a decorative variation on this simple stitch.
Right-handers (black dots indicates start points)
Start by sewing the motif with a running stitch. For the best effect, keep the running stitches small. Working from right to left, pull the thread up from behind at the start point and slip the needle over and under one of the running stitches. Continue to whip the thread over in this way until all the running stitches are covered.
Left-handers (black dots indicates start points)
Start by sewing the motif with a running stitch. For the best effect, keep the running stitches small. Working from left to right, pull the thread up from behind at the start point and slip the needle over and under one of the running stitches. Continue to whip the thread over in this way until all the running stitches are covered.
BACKSTITCH
This is the perfect stitch when a well-defined outline is required.
Right-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from right to left. Begin by bringing the needle up a little ahead of where you want the line of stitching to start. Take the needle to the right, to the start position, back through the fabric to make a stitch, and bring it out to the left past the first stitch.
Each time a stitch is made, the thread passes back to fill the gap, for small stitches of an equal length.
Left-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from left to right. Begin by bringing the needle up a little ahead of where you want to start the stitching. Take the needle to the left, to the start position, back through the fabric to make a stitch, and bring it out to the right past the first stitch.
Each time a stitch is made, the thread passes back to fill the gap, for small stitches of an equal length.
Tip
This stitch may need a little practise to get neat and even. Uneven stitches will still give the desired effect.
BLANKET STITCH
This is a great border or edging stitch.
Right-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from left to right. Bring the needle up on the line of the motif or the edge of the appliqué. Take a stitch down from the line and bring the needle back where you started keeping the thread to the left.
Insert the needle to the right of the first stitch, down from the line or edge, and bring it back out on the line or edge, making sure the thread is behind the needle. Pull through.
Continue repeating to make a line of stitches.
Tip
Aim to keep the length of the stitches even.
Left-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from right to left. Bring the needle up on the line of the motif or the edge of the appliqué. Take a stitch down from the line and bring the needle back where you started keeping the thread to the right.
Insert the needle to the left of the first stitch, down from the line or edge, and bring it back out on the line or edge, making sure the thread is behind the needle. Pull through.
Continue repeating to make a line of stitches.
CHAIN STITCH
A series of looped stitches worked to interlink to form a chain-like pattern.
Tip
For a whipped chain stitch sew over the stitches again with the blunt end of the threaded needle.
Right-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from right to left. Bring the needle and thread up at the start point. Holding the thread to the left, put the needle back in where it first came out and bring the needle tip out again a little way beyond this point. Make sure the thread is under the needle and gently pull through.
Put the needle in again beside the last stitch and continue. To secure the final stitch, sew a small straight stitch over the final loop.
Left-handers (black dot indicates start point)
Work from left to right. Bring the needle and thread up at the start point. Holding the thread to the right, put the needle back in where it first came out and bring the needle tip out again a little way beyond this point. Make sure the thread is under the needle and gently pull through.