Embroidery flowers

1. After completing an area of stitching, turn the embroidered fabric over to expose the backside and two tails of thread. Split each individual tail evenly and tie 2–3 knots to secure the thread tails at the back of the fabric (1, 2). 2. Take a pair of embroidery scissors or snips and cut the tails all the way to the knots (3).

This stitch is the perfect beginner stitch as it is very versatile and easy to learn. 1. Bring the needle up through the fabric from the back to the front (1). 2. Working towards yourself, push the needle back through the fabric a short distance (about the length of a grain of rice) from the first insertion point, pulling the thread tight (2). 3. Bring the needle back up through the fabric, again about the length of a grain of rice, from the second insertion point (3). 4. Push the needle back through the second insertion point, from front to back, to join up with the first stitch (4). 5. Pull the thread tight to create a second stitch (5). Continue in this way until you have a row of stitches.

The smooth, solid finish of this stitch makes it perfect for words and outlining. 1. Complete a set of back stitches (see Back Stitch in STITCH GLOSSARY). 2. Once a set is complete, bring the needle back down to the first insertion point of the set of back stitches and stitch up through the insertion point, pulling the thread tight (1). 3. Using the needle, weave the thread under the first back stitch on top of the fabric from right to left (2, 3). 4. Pull the thread all the way through, pulling away and along the set of back stitches (4). 5. Bring the needle back around, repeating this action along the entire set of back stitches, always weaving under the stitches from right to left (5). 6. Once the set is complete, push the needle back through the fabric, into the last insertion point of the set of back stitches, and pull tight (6, 7).

This stitch, like satin stitch, is a filler stitch, albeit a less controlled one. 1. Referring to how to work back stitch (see Back Stitch), fill in the designated space with back stitches, keeping the stitches random with no consistency (1).

This filler stitch should mimic the look and feel of a piece of satin and is a sequence of straight stitches placed parallel to each other. 1. To complete the satin stitch, fill in the designated space with straight stitches (see Straight Stitch in STITCH GLOSSARY), making sure to stitch them next to each other (1, 2, 3). 2 . To keep the stitches consistent, alternate sides starting with the second straight stitch.

A glorified back stitch, the straight stitch is great for adding details. 1. Bring the needle up through the fabric, from the back to the front (1).   2. Take the needle back down through the fabric, making sure to pull the thread tight (2, 3).

This stitch mimics the look of a flower stem and is great for adding details. 1. To start a line of stem stitch, bring the needle up through the fabric, then back down into the fabric (about the length of a grain of rice) (1). 2. Do not pull the thread all the way through to form a stitch, but instead push the thread down to the side with your thumb to make a ‘loop’. Bring the needle back up through the fabric, in between the two insertion points and to the right of the loop (2). 3. Once the needle has passed through the fabric, raise your thumb and let go of the thread to pull the thread all the way through (3, 4). 4. To continue, bring the needle back down through the fabric (about the length of a grain of rice), holding down the thread loop on top of the fabric with your thumb (5). 5. This time, bring the needle back up through the end of the previous stitch, again to the right of the loop (to keep your stitches consistent); once the needle has passed through ...