What are the 6 basic stitches used in embroidery?

The six basic stitches are running, back, split, stem, chain, and satin stitches. These provide a solid base for more complex designs.

What are the 10 basic stitches?

In addition to the six stitches listed above, many embroiderers also learn the French knot, lazy daisy, herringbone, and blanket stitch. Together, these stitches have a diverse set of tools for beginners.

How do I know what embroidery stitch to use?

Choosing a stitch depends on the design and the look you want to achieve. Outlines work well with back stitches, while filling areas with solid color is best done with satin stitches. Experiment to find what suits your style.

What Is the easiest embroidery?

The running stitch is the easiest embroidery stitch for beginners. It’s simple and easy, making it a great starting point for new stitchers.

How do you start an embroidery project for beginners?

Start with a small, simple design and focus on mastering a few basic stitches. Gather all necessary supplies, choose a fabric, and begin by practicing on scrap material to get a feel for the technique.

23-12-2024Embroidery Guides

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Basic Embroidery Stitches for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are a beginner and looking to learn the basics of machine embroidery stitches, you have come to the right place. Embroidery may look complicated at first, but with the right tools, settings, and stitches, anyone can get started. In this blog, we’ll discuss the basic supplies you need, the most common machine embroidery stitches and how to practice them effectively.

But before we dive in, let’s quickly introduce True Digitizing. We specialize in professional embroidery digitizing services, including 3D puff digitizing, photo digitizing, custom digitizing, and applique digitizing. Whether you’re creating designs for personal projects or running an embroidery business, our expert team ensures your artwork is converted into flawless, machine-ready embroidery files.

Now, let’s move forward and explore the essentials every beginner needs.

Table of Contents

1. Gather Basic Supplies 2. Different Types of Machine Embroidery Stitches for Beginners 2.1 1. Running Stitch 2.2 2. Backstitch 2.3 3. Satin Stitch 2.4 4. Zigzag Stitch 2.5 5. Chain Stitch 2.6 6. Fill Stitch (Tatami Stitch)3. Which is the Most Basic Stitch That Beginners Should Start With?4. Conclusion FAQs

Gather Basic Supplies
Machine embroidery requires a few specific tools to ensure your designs come out neat and professional. Having the correct setup from the start makes learning easier and helps you avoid common mistakes. Here are the essentials:

Embroidery Machine: Choose a beginner-friendly machine with built-in stitch patterns. Many machines come with preset decorative stitches, lettering options, and digital screens for easy navigation.

Stabilizer: Acts as a base for your fabric, preventing shifting, puckering, or tearing. Beginners often start with cut-away or tear-away stabilizers.

Embroidery Thread: Rayon and polyester threads are the most common. Rayon gives a shiny finish, while polyester is stronger and colorfast, making it ideal for items that require frequent washing.

Fabric: Choose sturdy fabrics like cotton, denim, or polyester blends. Slippery or stretchy fabrics (like silk or jersey) can be challenging at first.

Embroidery Hoop (Machine-Compatible): Keeps fabric firmly in place during stitching, ensuring accuracy and preventing bunching.

Needles: Use machine embroidery needles (sizes 75/11 or 80/12). The right size ensures smooth stitching without breaking the thread.

Scissors: Small, sharp scissors or snips help trim jump stitches and loose threads precisely.

Always test your stitch on a scrap piece of fabric before embroidering on your final project. This helps you check the thread tension, stitch density, and overall design look.
Different Types of Machine Embroidery Stitches for Beginners
Advanced embroidery machines come with a wide variety of built-in stitches. Learning the basics helps you understand how different stitches behave and where they can be used in your projects. Let’s explore the most common stitches every beginner should know:
1. Running Stitch
The most basic stitch, often used for outlines, borders, and text underlays. It creates a dashed line and is lightweight, making it ideal for delicate designs.

How to use: Select “running stitch” on your machine. Adjust the stitch length depending on your design, shorter for curves and longer for straight lines.
2. Backstitch
Stronger and bolder than the running stitch, the triple stitch goes back and forth to reinforce each line. It’s often used for outlining letters, shapes, or adding durability.

How to use: Select the “triple stitch” setting on your machine. It will automatically sew each stitch three times, creating a dense, polished finish.
3. Satin Stitch
A smooth, shiny stitch perfect for filling small areas, lettering, or decorative elements. It creates a raised, professional look.

How to use: Choose the satin stitchoption and adjust the stitch width to match the size of your design. For best results, use a stabilizer to prevent puckering.
4. Zigzag Stitch
One of the most versatile stitches. Often used in applique, borders, or as a decorative stitch. Zigzag stitches can also be adjusted in width and density for different effects.

How to use: Select zigzag mode, set your preferred stitch width, and let the machine stitch smoothly across the fabric.
5. Chain Stitch
Some embroidery machines include chain stitch options. This decorative stitch creates loops that look like chains and is often used in borders or floral designs.

How to use: Select chain stitch if your machine offers it. Adjust density to create lighter or heavier chains.
6. Fill Stitch (Tatami Stitch)
Used to cover large areas with consistent stitching. Ideal for logos, patches, or designs that require solid shapes.

How to use: Load your digitized design into the machine, and it will automatically generate rows of fill stitches. You can adjust density and angle for different effects.
Which is the Most Basic Stitch That Beginners Should Start With?
For absolute beginners, the running stitch is the best way to start. It helps you get used to:

Setting up your hoop correctly.

Adjusting thread tension.

Controlling stitch length on your machine.

Once you’re comfortable, you can move to satin stitches for decorative effects and fill stitches for larger designs. These stitches will help you build confidence and give you more creative freedom.
Conclusion
Machine embroidery is more than just pressing a button, it’s about understanding how different stitches work together to bring your designs to life. With practice, you’ll master these basic stitches and gradually move toward advanced techniques.

And when it comes to digitizing your designs, True Digitizing is here to make your journey even easier. We transform your artwork into flawless embroidery files that run smoothly on any machine. From custom embroidery to hat embroidery, our professional team ensures your creative vision turns into high-quality embroidered art.

Start small, practice regularly, and soon you’ll be creating embroidery designs that look as professional as store-bought designs.

Author

Nick William

Embroidery Digitizer

Nick William has been immersed in the world of embroidery digitizing for over 20 years, earning 25 industry awards throughout his career. As a 3rd generation embroidery expert, Nick’s journey started in his family’s workshop, where he learned the art of digitizing before the rise of modern software. He has worked with leading commercial embroidery businesses and has shared his expertise with over 75,000 home and professional embroiderers. As an author at True Digitizing, Nick is passionate about teaching others how to create beautiful, precise designs through easy-to-follow tutorials and expert advice.