Heavy Chain Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I love chain stitch for its braided texture and ability to turn an ordinary border into something special. If you’re like me and think chain stitch is the best thing since silk floss (embroidery joke) then you’re really going to love this simple variation called heavy chain stitch. It’s similar to regular chain stitch, but it creates a wider, thicker band for those times when you want to make a bold statement.


Heavy Chain Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Start your heavy chain stitch by making a small verticle stitch. Next, bring the thread back up one stitch length away and pass the needle under the first stitch without picking up any fabric.

Heavy Chain Stitch Tutorial

Put the needle back in where the last stitch came out. You now have your first link in the chain.

Heavy Chain Stitch Tutorial

Move down another stitch length, come up through the fabric and slide the needle under the first stitch.

Heavy Chain Stitch Tutorial

Once again, go back down in the same spot where the last stitch came up.

Heavy Chain Stitch Tutorial

Now you have two chain links on top of each other which create a heavy chain.

Heavy Chain Stitch Tutorial

Come back up one stitch length away and then pass the needle through the last two loops.

Heavy Chain Stitch Tutorial

Keep following this method until you reach the end of your line. Always remember to always pass through the last two loops to create multiple chains that lie on top of each and make a bold, thick heavy line. Heavy chain stitch is excellent for creating a straight or curved border. Shorten your stitches slightly when rounding corners to achieve a uniform curve.

Heavy Chain Stitch Tutorial

Want to learn more about chain stitch? Take a look at our basic Chain Stitch Tutorial.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand {Part 1}

If you want to add a personal touch to your projects, learning how to embroider letters is a great skill to have. There are countless possibilities for adding lettering to all your sewing and craft projects. Maybe you want to make a personal label for a quilt, add your favorite quote to an embroidery piece, monogram cloth napkins, or even stitch a funny little saying on a piece of clothing. Well, guess what? Once you learn the basics, embroidering letters is really easy!

How to Embroider Letters

Font Choice

How do you decide what type of font to use when embroidering letters? For the most part, it’s a matter of personal choice, but there are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing a font.

  • Size: If you are embroidering a small size text, it’s best to keep the font simple. The smaller the letters, the more difficult it will be to embroider around tight curves and angles.
  • Legibility: Sometimes a font that looks great on paper doesn’t look so great when worked with needle and thread. A few practice letters is always a good idea before committing to one font.
  • Appearance: Think about the overall appearance of the item you are adding lettering to and choose a complementary font. For example, if you’re making a personalized label for a wedding quilt you might choose a romantic cursive font, while a more casual, handwritten font would be perfect for adding a fun quote to your favorite dish towel.

How to Embroider Letters

How to Embroider Letters Using 4 Easy Stitches

When it comes to embroidering letters, the choice of stitches is nearly endless. From basic stitches like back or running to more complicated stitches like double chain and french knot (yes, you really can embroider letter with french knots), the possibilities are nearly limitless. Despite all those choices, I find myself coming back to the same four basic stitches again and again when embroidering letters. These four stitches – back, running, split, & stem – not only look great with any font, but they are also easy to learn and simple to execute.

{These are the same four stitches featured in the Basic Embroidery Stitches Tutorial. If you are not familiar with these stitches, I recommend checking out that post.}

Let’s get started!

Back Stitch Lettering

To practice, choose a word at least 5 or 6 letters long. You can use a word processing program to select a font, print it out and transfer to your fabric, or simply draw the letters by hand. I chose the word “wander” and a very basic font. All of the letters in this tutorial are stitched using four strands of DMC embroidery floss.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
Start your back stitch my making a single stitch, coming up one stitch length away, and going back in the same place where the previous stitch ended. It’s kind of like stitching in reverse.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
Continue stitching until the letter is complete. Hey, you just embroidered your first letter! {Pro tip: While it’s tempting to trail your thread from one letter to another, if you’re using a light colored fabric it will be visible! Resist the urge. Unless your letters flow together, taking the time to end the thread before starting another letter is worth the effort}

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
When you’re learning how to embroider letters, the instinct is to simply follow the same path you would when writing. That doesn’t always work out. Take the letter “a” for example. Instead of starting in the middle as if I were writing, I’m going to start at the top and work my way down and around. That way I can be sure the inside loop meets up with the back of the “a”.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
The same rule applies to letter “n”. Start by stitching down the straight side. If you were writing, chances are the pen would now travel back up the straight side before making the curve. This won’t work with embroidery. Doubling up on stitches will only look bulk and messy.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
You also don’t want to simply take the thread from the bottom and pull it across the back to where the curve starts. Instead, turn your work over and wrap the thread up the stitch until you reach the start of the curve. Now, the bulk of the double line is hidden on the back, and you won’t see a stretched piece of thread through the fabric.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
Continue stitching until your word is complete.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand

No matter what stitch you’re using the same four rules apply:

  1.  Always properly end the thread before starting a new letter. The exception to this rule is when the letters are connected (like in a cursive font) or if the font is very small and the letters very close together.
  2.  Determine the path of stitching before you begin. It will not always be the same as when writing letters.
  3. Some letters will need to be stitched in two parts. Instead of stretching the thread across the back, turn your work over and wrap the thread around the existing stitches until you reach the new starting point.
  4. Shorten the stitch length when stitching around corners.

Running Stitch Lettering

Next, we’re going to tackle Running Stitch. It can be worked using the sewing method or one stitch at a time. I find for letters it’s best to use a combination of both methods. The sewing method is great for straight lines. Simply bring the thread to the front and weave it in and out of the fabric. Try to keep the stitches and the empty spaces roughly the same length.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
Pull the thread through to complete the series of stitches.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
While the sewing method is admittedly faster, for curves or really small letters, it’s much easier to make one stitch at a time.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
Using the four rules outlined above, continue stitching until you reach the end of the word.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand

Split Stitch Lettering

Split stitch is one of my favorites for lettering because it creates a really interesting texture. It’s also a good stitch for small letters and fonts with lots of curves. Start by making a single stitch. Next, bring the thread back up in the middle of that same stitch. Essentially, you are splitting the stitch in two. Pull the needle all the way through and repeat the process.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
The end result is a beautifully textured letter that looks a bit like a braid.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
Once again, using the basic rules outlined above, continue stitching until you reach the end of the word.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand

Stem Stitch Lettering

Finally, we reach what is possibly the most beloved stitch for lettering, Stem Stitch. This simple stitch looks like a twisted rope and adds a bit of elegance to embroidered letters. It also turns corners beautifully which makes it the perfect choice for a cursive font. Stem stitch is worked in a similar fashion to split, except instead of coming up in the middle of the previous stitch you come up next to it.

Basic Embroidery Stitches ~ WanderingThreadsEmbroidery.com

There is one extra rule to follow when using stem stitch for lettering. Are you ready for it? Always stitch in the same direction. For right-handed sewers, the stitch is worked left to right and for left-handed sewers, the stitch is worked right to left. This means as you go around curves, it might be necessary to turn your hoop so you continue stitching in the correct direction. For example, this cursive “W” has a lovely little curve at the top. In order to stitch in the correct direction (I’m right-handed), I had to turn the hoop upside down and so I could go left to right.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
As I rounded the corner I turned the hoop back over and continued in a left to right direction. Don’t forget to shorten your stitch length when you go around corners.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
Speaking of corners…while stem stitch is great for turning corners, it does have limitations. Specifically sharp corners like the one we see on the uppercase “W”. If you try to go around this corner – even if you shorten your stitches – you will end up with a rounded curve. The solution is to end the stitch and then come back up again on the other side. Except, instead of coming up at the bottom, come back up one stitch length away and then stitch in a normal fashion. That way you don’t risk pulling out the previous stitch. Are you confused yet? Let’s look at in picture form.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
Using these two additional techniques along with the four universal lettering rules, keep stitching until you reach the end of the word.

How to Embroider Letters by Hand
In the next lesson, we’ll cover more lettering stitches including stitch combinations and filler stitches for large text.
How to Embroider Large Letters by Hand {Part 2}

Nature Alphabet Pattern

If you love stitching letters, the Nature Alphabet Pattern is for you! Featuring a set of embroidered letters adorned with leaves, this simple pattern uses only three different stitches and is suitable for all skill levels.

Stitch the full alphabet as a sampler, use the individual letters for monograms, or combine the letters to make words of your own. Visit the Nature Alphabet listing in my Pattern Shop for more details about this PDF pattern or to purchase.

Happy Stitching!

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Fishbone Stitch is most often used to fill in shapes such as leaves and feathers. It consists of a series of slanted stitches that overlap in the middle creating a center spine. Fishbone stitch can be worked close to create a smooth satin-like finish, or spaced apart for a more open look that makes an interesting border stitch.

The very best thing about fishbone stitch is how simple it is. With no complicated knots or wrapping required, this stitch creates beautiful results with minimal effort.


Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Let’s start with a leaf shape. It doesn’t have to be perfectly symmetrical. Draw a line down the center and make a small straight stitch from the top.

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
Come up next to the right side of the first stitch. Make a slanted stitch that ends just across the center line.

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
Come up on the other side of the first stitch and make another slanted stitch that ends on the opposite side of the line.

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
Continue stitching in this fashion, alternating sides. Each time you will come up right next to the previous stitch and make a slanted stitch that crosses the center line. As you stitch down the shape, the center spine forms and you can see the leaf shape emerging.

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Open Fishbone Stitch

A simple variation of the basic stitch is called Open Fishbone Stitch. It’s worked in a similar fashion except the stitches are spaced farther apart. Start with a small slanted stitch at the top of the shape.

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
Using the same method as the standard stitch, create a series of alternating slanted stitches working down the shape. Instead of placing the stitches close together, leave some space between. How much space you leave is up to you.

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery TutorialFishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
Open Fishbone stitch can also be worked along a line to create a unique and interesting border.

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Fishbone Stitch Patterns

Since fishbone stitch is the perfect stitch for leaves, you will find it in several of the Wandering Threads patterns featuring leaves. Patterns like the Connecticut State Flower pattern with Mt. Laurel flowers adorned by a cluster of leaves.

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
Or the Autumn Tree Pattern where several dozen small leaves are worked in fishbone stitch to create a mosaic of fall colors.

Autumn Tree Hand Embroidery Pattern
Open Fishbone also makes great leaves and can be found in the Indiana State Flower Pattern.

Fishbone Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Happy Stitching and keep practicing that Fishbone stitch

Scroll Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

I first discovered Scroll Stitch while searching for a stitch to represent water. I love the way this simple knotted line stitch creates a gently curved look reminiscent of ocean waves. Far from simply a stitch used in watery landscapes, scroll stitch makes an excellent outline or filler stitch. With numerous variations and a super simple technique, scroll stitch might just become a new favorite


Scroll Stitch Embroidery TutorialScroll stitch can be worked on a straight or curved line. Let’s use a straight line to start. Bring the thread to the front of the fabric. Move one stitch length away and take the needle down and back on either side of the line.

Scroll Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
While keeping the working thread behind the needle, wind it under the needle to create a loop.

Scroll Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
Pull the needle all the way through and admire the tiny little knot you just made. Be careful not to pull too tight or you will no longer have a scroll shape on the top. On the flip side, you don’t want the top curve too loose, so you may need to hold it in place while pulling the needle through.

Scroll Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
Continue looping and stitching until you reach the end of your line. Easy right?

Scroll Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Scroll Stitch Variations

Changing the stitch length is a simple way to alter the look of scroll stitch. Long stitches create a line of widely spaced knots perfect for borders and outlines.
Scroll Stitch Embroidery Tutorial
While smaller stitches make a more heavily textured look. Scroll stitch takes curves well and can be worked along a curved line or even in a circle.

Scroll Stitch Embroidery Tutorial

Scroll Stitch Patterns

As mentioned above, I love to use scroll stitch to represent waves in the water. Worked along a straight line, this simple stitch creates a wavy line reminiscent of a gentle water current. Here are a few of the Wandering Threads patterns that use scroll stitch:

Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park Hand Embroidery PatternMinnesota State Pattern

Minnesota Hand Embroidery Pattern
Crater Lake National Park Pattern

Crater Lake National Park Hand Embroidery Pattern

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