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Embroidery Terminology How-To

Below you'll find our helpful dictionary of embroidery terms.

If you're new to embroidery, then you're in the right place, here's our handy list of embroidery terms and how to do them, explained in simple steps.

Whipstitch

Whipstitch is a simple diagonal stitch often used to join two pieces of fabric or attach appliqué.
1. Bring the needle up through the fabric.
2. Take the needle diagonally across and bring it back up a short distance along.
3. Continue making diagonal stitches in the same direction.
4. Keep the stitches evenly spaced.
Tip: Whipstitch is different from whipping a stitch. With whipstitch, the needle goes through the fabric for each stitch

French knot

A French knot makes a small, raised knot on the surface of the fabric. It's useful for details such as flower centres, eyes and dots.
1. Bring the needle up where you want the knot.
2. Wrap the thread around the needle once or twice.
3. Put the needle back into the fabric very close to where it came up.
4. Keep the thread taut and gently pull the needle through.
5. The wrapped thread will form a small knot on the surface.
Tip: Keep the thread taut as you pull the needle through to help the knot sit neatly.

Backstitch

Backstitch creates a neat, continuous line and is useful for seams, outlines and embroidery.
1. Bring the needle up through the fabric.
2. Make a stitch forwards.
3. Bring the needle up again one stitch length ahead.
4. Take the needle back down at the end of the previous stitch.
5. Repeat, keeping the stitches an even length.
Tip: Try to keep the stitch lengths consistent for an even line.

Cross stitch

Cross stitch is made from two straight diagonal stitches crossing to form an X.
1. Bring the needle up at one corner of your square.
2. Take the needle diagonally across to the opposite corner.
3. Bring the needle up at the other corner.
4. Make the second diagonal stitch across the first.
5. Repeat to create more crosses.
Tip: Keep the top diagonal of every cross pointing in the same direction. This gives your stitching a neat, consistent appearance.

Blanket stitch

Blanket stitch creates a row of looped stitches along a fabric edge and is useful for edging and decorative work.
1. Bring the needle up near the edge of the fabric.
2. Take the thread down and bring the needle back up through the loop of thread.
3. Pull gently so the loop sits neatly along the edge.
4. Repeat at an even distance along the fabric.
5. Keep each stitch the same size for an even edge.
Tip: Don't pull the thread too tightly. The loops should sit neatly along the edge without puckering the fabric.

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