EMBROIDERY STITCH GUIDE

Hand Embroidery Stitches for Stems, Twigs, and Borders

Choose the perfect line stitch for every part of your design — from smooth stalks to knobbly branches.

A crib pillow embroidered with just outlines
4 Stitch Categories Photo Examples Hand Embroidery

Choosing the Right Line Stitch

When choosing the best hand embroidery stitches for lines, the options can seem overwhelming.

However, for beginners, the most important thing to remember is to choose stitches that are easy to learn. Start with simple stitches like the running stitch, back stitch, and chain stitch, and work your way up to more complex stitches as you become more comfortable.

A hand embroidery design is usually presented in outline format. You can stitch along the lines, or fill the areas between them. The choice is yours.

Practice on your embroidery stitch sampler and you'll soon be stitching with confidence!

There are many hand embroidery stitches that are an excellent choice for creating simple or intricate lines. Let's explore alternatives to the classic stem stitch for stalks! Your designs may vary, but there are often common elements between them. Let's discover new possibilities together.

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SMOOTH LINES

Line Stitches for Stems and Stalks

Floral and botanical designs often feature stems and tendrils, so knowing some basic stitches that will take a curve well is an important part of the embroiderer's skill set.

The examples in the photograph below were all worked in 2 strands of embroidery floss. From left to right I used the following stitches:

Embroidery stitches to use for stems and outlines

Five smooth line stitches compared side by side

Tip: Natural forms, such as stems and branches tend to be thicker at the base and taper at the ends. You can represent this by reducing the number of strands as you work your way to the tips, or by changing to a stitch that gives a narrower line — for example, starting with broad chain stitch at the base and swapping to split stitch at the tips.

Experiment to find just the right combination of stitch and thread!

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BRANCHING STITCHES

Stitches for Stems with Thorns or Hairs

If your stems have growths, such as thorns or hairs, you can choose to start at one end and work them simultaneously with the main stem.

Suitable stitches for this type of stem include:

Hand embroidery stitches for stems with thorns and hairs

Branching stitches that create thorns and hairs as you work

These stitches can appear similar, but are worked using different methods. Some like the fly stitch are worked in a sequence of straight stitches, while others involve looping the thread under the needle each time.

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TEXTURED LINES

Stitches for Knobbly Twigs and Branches

Sometimes you may like to add some texture to your embroidered lines. Knotted stitches are ideal here. You can also use speciality threads by couching them to the surface.

From left to right:

Embroidery stitches you could use for knobbly lines in your design
Knotted and couched stitches add wonderful texture
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DECORATIVE BORDERS

Hand Embroidery Stitches for Borders

Time to let your hair down and go wild! Line stitches work well for borders. I also like using the examples in the photograph for crazy quilt seam decoration.

Hand embroidery stitches for borders and wider lines
Border stitches add width and visual interest

The Blanket and Cretan stitch samples show two rows of the same stitch in different coloured pearl cottons. Working multiple rows in this manner offers many options for borders. Why not try combining different stitches for even more variety!

Magic chain stitch: You may be wondering about the line on the right of the photo? To create this pretty stitch you thread two colours in the needle, then alternate which one you lay under the needle for each stitch. Full instructions coming soon!
AT A GLANCE

Which Stitch Category Do You Need?

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Smooth Lines

Chain, split, stem, and backstitch for graceful stems and stalks.

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Branching Stems

Feather, fern, fly, and thorn stitch for stems with thorns or hairs.

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Textured Twigs

Coral knot, couching, and Palestrina for knobbly, tactile lines.

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Decorative Borders

Blanket, chevron, herringbone, and cretan for wide, ornamental lines.

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KEEP EXPLORING

Ready to Stitch?

This page has provided you with the perfect ideas for selecting hand embroidery stitches to create stunning lines. From smooth stems to knobbly branches to decorative borders, the right stitch makes all the difference.

Next time fill stitches will be the stars of the show!

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