Satin stitch—Bring the needle up to the right side of the cloth on



one side of the outline. Insert the needle on the opposite side of the outline.

Bring the needle under the fabric to return to the starting edge. Repeat the sequence

to create a smooth row of even, side-by-side stitches. This stitch fills in a

design with rows of straight or slanted stitches across a small, outlined area.

It's a very easy stitch to learn.

Seed Stitch is a filling stitch made up of short stitches scattered

randomly but evenly.

Eye stitch—which is also known as eyelet stitch is made using the

same construction principle as Algerian stitch.

This stitch is simple to work as can be seen in the diagram you simply work

a straight stitch into central hole.

The trick is to create neat central hole. In order to do this be sure that when

you insert the needle into the fabric that the needle is taken down in the center

and reappears through the fabric on the outside of the square. If you want to

make the holes larger with each stitch pull the thread slightly so that the

fabric distorts slightly as it this tensioning action that creates the holes

in the center of each stitch. If you want larger holes again, work on linen

or a fabric that is used for pulled and drawn thread work and use a stiletto

or a fine knitting needle to further define the hole.

Shadow stitch—On the right side, this stitch resembles two rows

of backstitch and on the wrong side the catch stitch. Slant the needle the same

as if making a catch stitch, make a single back stitch, first on the lower side

and then diagonally across on the upper side. Work this stitch on transparent

material so the crossing of threads show through to right side. This stitch

is often called herringbone stitch when crosses are worked on right side.

Chain Stitch—Bring thread to right side of material, hold thread

toward you with left thumb, take a stitch into same hole where thread was brought

up, forming a small loop. Do not pull thread tightly. Bring needle out a short

distance forward and over the loop. Make a second loop overlapping the first

one. Continue along marked line.

Bullion stitch—Bring your needle up (in point 1 let's say) pulling

the thread until taught. Hold the thread in your left hand, thumb and index

towards where the thread came up. (reverse if you are left handed)

Now poke the needle back into the fabric about 1cm away (or however long you

want the bullion to be) - point 2. Don't pull the thread all of the way through

yet.

Bring the needle up again part way at point 1. With needle half in half out

of the hole, wrap the thread around the needle several times. (enough times

to equal the distance between the two points.)

Poke the needle back into point 2, with your left hand hold the needle and coils

against the fabric, while carefully sliding the needle out of point 1 and into

point 2. Once the needle is all the way through keep holding the coils against

the fabric until you have pulled the excess thread all the way through.

This is a stitch which really requires quite a bit of practise so work on a

scrap fabric for a while first.

Stem Stitch or Outline— This stitch is worked from left to right.

Bring needle up through fabric to right side on the line to be outlined. Holding

the thread toward you as shown (or the thread may be swung to the left away

from you), take a short slanting back stitch along stamped line. Make the next

and each successive stitch from right to left and bring the needle out to the

left at the end of previous stitch. Repeat along Line, keeping stitches small

and uniform.

Straight stitch—are made of single isolated stitches. This stitch

can be worked in a regular or irregular manner, in a uniform or varying size.

Single satin stitch is simple to work, with the only concern being that the

stitches should not be too long or too loose. Contrasting threads adds interest

particularly when worked in a free manner at different angles. Straight stitch

is often used to illustrate grass and other landscape details.

Lazy Daisy Stitch—Bring needle up at inner point of petal, hold

thread toward you. Thrust needle down at inner point of petal, 1 or 2 threads

to right of point where thread emerges; bring point of needle out at outer end

of petal, going over thread. Draw loop up to cover petal, thrust needle down

outside of loop to fasten it in place. Bring needle out at inner point of next

petal to left or right.

French knot—Bring the thread out at the required position, hold

the thread down where it emerges with the left thumb and encircle the thread

twice with the needle (see 1). Still holding the thread firmly with your thumb,

twist the needle back to the starting point and insert it close to where the

thread first emerged (not in the exact place or it will simply pull back through).

Pull the needle through to the back, leaving a small knot on the surface, as

shown, or pass on to the position of the next stitch as at 2.