Stitches

Backstitch

A solid, unbroken line. Each stitch goes backward to meet the one before it.

Beginner15 min

Working right to left. Come up one stitch ahead at 1, go back down at 2 into the end of the previous stitch.

How the finished stitch looks.

What you will learn

Put the fabric in the hoop so it is drum-tight.
Cut 18 in (45 cm) of floss, separate the strands you need, thread the needle and knot one end.

Draw a line. Bring the needle up one stitch length, about 1/8 to 1/4 in (3 to 6 mm), in from the starting end of the line.
Go down at the very start of the line. You have made one stitch backward.
Come up one stitch length beyond the first point you came up.
Go back down into the same hole where the previous stitch ended, so the two stitches touch.
Repeat along the line: up one length ahead, back down into the end of the last stitch.
Finish by weaving under the stitches on the back.

Shorten the stitches on tight curves so the line stays smooth.
Put the needle into the exact hole of the last stitch. A gap of even one fabric thread shows.

Small gaps between stitches

The needle is going down short of the previous stitch. Aim for the same hole.

Curves look like a row of corners

Stitches are too long. Halve the length on curves.

The line is continuous with no gaps.
All stitches are close to the same length. The back shows longer, overlapping stitches.

Practice exerciseWrite your name in joined-up letters about 1 in (2.5 cm) tall and backstitch over it.