Types of embroidery. Basic concepts and terms

Embroidery is a widespread decorative and applied art form, known since ancient times. The patterns on the fabric are made manually or using a special embroidery machine. Most often, designs are created using needles, sometimes a hook is used. The fabric is taken from the most diverse. The patterns are made from threads (linen, wool, silk or cotton), or from beads, pearls, sparkles, bugles, precious stones, and so on.

History of embroidery

It is human nature to want to stand out from the crowd. For this purpose, back in ancient times, people began to use embroidery. The Indians loved to decorate blankets and things with various patterns. Many peoples of the North still embroider ornaments on clothes made from reindeer skins. Carpets, decorative panels and many other things were decorated with embroidery.

The earliest surviving embroideries date back to the 6th-5th centuries BC. They were made in Ancient China. These embroideries were done on silk fabrics.

Who and when decided to transfer intricate patterns to fabric? It will not be possible to determine the exact period of time. Many centuries ago, one master decided to depict the beauty of nature on fabric, to demonstrate his love for children, animals and birds. Unfortunately, even the most durable fabric does not last forever. Scientists still cannot say when and how this happened.

The most ancient designs were passed from hand to hand by embroiderers, copying them from each other. Of course, this was difficult. This continued until the invention of printing. In 1527 in Cologne, Peter Quinti published the first collection containing a large number of patterns.

The types of embroidery are endlessly varied, as are the stitches for it: satin stitch, cross stitch, painting, vestibule, hemstitching, flooring, guipure and much more. Seams, used individually or in all sorts of combinations, create a variety of embroidery options: from flat to convex, from openwork to carpet.

Cross stitch

Cross stitch is one of the most ancient variants of this type of needlework. The variety of types of crosses is amazing. They decorate all kinds of textile products, make patterns for clothes, and create paintings. The skill of an embroiderer is assessed by the reverse side of the product. There shouldn't be any knots.

Cross stitch is very popular nowadays. This requires thread, fabric, a needle, scissors and a hoop. Sometimes a hook and thimble may be required.

It is better to take embroidery threads like floss. The tip of the needle should be blunt and the eye should be wide and long. The fabric used is canvas for embroidery. This is a special fabric with holes, which means the size of the crosses will be the same. You will need a hook to correct an accidental error. The hoop is needed for convenience when working.

Types of seams

Cross stitch does not include patterns. The craftswomen use the cross. It comes in two types: Russian, or single, and Bulgarian, that is, double. It is this seam that is the main element of embroidery. With its help, a wide variety of drawings, portraits and landscapes are created.

The most common embroidery option is the Russian cross. It starts from the lower left corner and moves diagonally up to the right. Then from the lower right corner also diagonally up to the left. The stitches are in the same direction.

The Bulgarian cross adds additional intersecting lines to the Russian cross, located vertically and horizontally. It turns out to be a kind of star, from which drawings are created.

Another seam option is a half-cross. This seam is made very simply - in one diagonal line.

Overlock stitches, as well as needle forward stitching, are essential to the embroidery workflow. The overcasting protects the edges of the fabric from fraying. Stitching the needle forward secures the thread while embroidering.

Over its centuries-old history, a huge number of schemes have appeared to help with work. Embroidery for beginners provides patterns with simple plots. Experienced craftswomen can choose more complex designs, or try to create something of their own. This embroidery is also suitable for children. They are happy to try to create, embroidering light crosses and creating their first paintings.

Embroider with satin stitch

Satin embroidery is another version of needlework that was loved by women many centuries ago. The stitches here are applied to the fabric so that they fill the entire surface of the fabric. This embroidery option involves a large number of techniques and seams.

Satin embroidery can convey a pattern that draws frost on glass, a ray of sun on rose petals, the flap of a butterfly's wings, the rustle of leaves and much more. All you need is a needle and thread. The combination of colors creates the finest shades that turn an embroidered picture into an excellent gift. It is not difficult to learn this type of creativity; any woman can master it.

String graphics

Thread graphics are also considered a common option for satin stitch embroidery. It includes such types of embroidery as thread design, thread image and isothread. This type of handicraft is also called isographics or embroidery on cardboard. It is not always fabric that is used here; sometimes velvet or thick paper can be used as a base. The threads can also be any - sewing, acrylic, wool, linen and even silk. Who likes what.

We embroider with beads

Bead embroidery has been known since ancient times, like many other types of needlework that have successfully survived to this day. Foreigners invariably admired the way embroidery looked on girls’ outfits; with their own hands, the beauties created unique patterns on sundresses and kokoshniks. From the mid-17th century, colored glass beads appeared. It was he who became the main decoration of many outfits. Bugle beads were used not only for clothing, but also for embroidering paintings. Most often they depicted landscapes, churches and icons.

Now beads are popular again. It is used in finishing clothes, giving them an elegant look and originality. Beads are also used in costume jewelry. The popularity of beads is easy to explain - it is cheap, accessible, convenient and has unlimited color options. Decorations for clothes and shoes, for wallets, handbags and even mobile phone cases - modern craftswomen skillfully decorate whatever they want with beads.

Pictures embroidered with beads are popular. As a rule, they depict animals, birds or flowers. You can often find icons embroidered with beads. It has become a favorite hobby for many women. Bead embroidery for children is very diverse. They decorate clothes, weave jewelry from it, and much more.

This creativity will require patience, accuracy and certain skills. But the result is worth the painstaking work with small beads.

Embroider with silk ribbons

Ribbon embroidery is another type of needlework. The design is embroidered not with threads, but with colored silk ribbons using a needle. Canvas for embroidery can be of any density. This type of embroidery uses a large number of techniques and stitches.

Ribbon embroidery is very popular because it is very simple to perform, and the result is incredibly beautiful. This type of embroidery is often used to create church icons and original paintings. Ceremonies and holidays are also decorated using this type of needlework. Ruffles and ribbons adorn brides' wedding dresses, handbags and handkerchiefs, festive tablecloths and even napkins.

Ribbon embroidery is also used to decorate newborn baby envelopes, flower bouquets, gift boxes, and the like.

We embroider tulips

Despite the hustle and bustle of the modern world, craftswomen still do needlework. Ribbon embroidery also does not escape their attention, a master class on the creation of which will now be considered. Craftswomen are capable of creating real “ribbon” masterpieces. But they also once started small. Tulips made with satin ribbons are embroidery for beginners to learn this skill; they are easy to perform and at the same time quite impressive.

To create a bouquet you will need fabric. It can be crepe satin or gabardine. You need several needles with a sharp tip and different eye diameters, a frame and satin ribbons (several colored ones, 3 meters long and 2.5 centimeters wide). These will be the tulips themselves. For the stems you will need green ribbons 6 millimeters wide and 5 meters long. Leaf strips should be 25 millimeters wide and 2 meters long.

You should begin work by securing the fabric to the frame. Regular paper clips will help. Then a sketch of future buds is created on the fabric. It is better to use soap or a disappearing marker. You can start creating a bouquet.

The edges of the colored ribbons must be burned so that they do not begin to crumble. You can embroider. The tape is inserted according to the pattern of the bud. There is no need to tighten it - the flower should be voluminous. The second petal is embroidered in the opposite direction - to save ribbon. The two resulting petals form a tulip. The tape is cut, secured, and its edges are cauterized. The rest are embroidered similarly to the first.

The stems are created from six-millimeter tape. It is inserted into the lower edge of the stem and then folded into a flagellum. The second end of the stem is fixed at the bottom of the bud. The leaves are sewn in random order and secured with threads.

The bouquet is ready, now it needs to be placed in a frame. You will need a kind of corset, which can be made from cardboard. The fabric is secured to it and sewn from the inside out with frequent and moderately tight stitches. The resulting tulips are placed in a frame.

We embroider with chenille

There are other types of embroidery. Among them is chenille embroidery. Now this type of needlework is not very popular. Chenille is silk lace used for embroidery. Often these laces create fringe. Patterned embroidery, in which these fleecy silk threads are used, is called chenille. Often found in eighteenth-century interiors.

We embroider with silk

Silk embroidery is one of the types of artistic satin stitch. This is traditional Chinese embroidery that is more than 4000 years old.

You can embroider almost anything with silk: even landscapes, even portraits. In the classic form, one-sided embroidery is used, but it can also be double-sided. This one is much more valuable.

This type of embroidery requires silk threads. The design is made on silk fabric, which can be transparent, tinted or thicker. The advantage of this embroidery option is that the thread does not fade over time, but remains just as shiny. Even after several decades, embroidery will not lose its beauty.

We embroider with gold

The next embroidery option is gold embroidery. Not the most common type of needlework, since the technique requires special skills.

Gold embroidery is used to decorate church clothing: mantles, stole and surplice are embroidered. Embroidery technology is very complex. The craftswoman needs to feel the metal thread and determine its decorative capabilities.

Openwork cutwork embroidery

Another known embroidery is called cutwork. This is a very beautiful and sophisticated version of openwork needlework. Most often, this type of embroidery is used for bed linens, tablecloths and to create stunning napkins. You can use any fabric for it. The lines of the pattern in this technique are first sewn with satin stitch, and only then the fabric is cut out.

Types of embroidery are very diverse. Handicraft helps you create, realize your ideas and get positive emotions from it. This is especially important when everyday work does not bring moral satisfaction. The embroidery process is very exciting. The pattern, threads and fabric are selected, and creativity begins. Perseverance and patience are rewarded with pride in the work done.

The question was raised about what exist types of embroidery. Let's try to dwell on this in more detail. First, a little history.

  • History of embroidery

Embroidery appeared as a type of craft and needlework back in the primitive period. The oldest examples that have survived to this day date back to the 4th-5th centuries BC. They were created in Ancient China. Back then they embroidered on silk fabric with hair, silver or gold threads, and raw silk.

Embroidery appeared in Rus' much later. Women owned this handicraft from a very young age. Embroidery was based on ancient customs and rituals. This is especially true, which has always been perceived as a talisman and could protect a person and his home from the evil eye and evil spirits.

  • Modern embroidery

Modern embroidery can be done by hand or on an embroidery machine. They embroider by hand with different needles, sometimes even with crochet. For embroidery, different fabrics, leather, canvas, felt and various threads are used. They also embroider with hair, precious stones, beads, pearls, silk ribbons, coins, sequins, etc.

Embroidery is used to decorate bedding, table linen, clothing, and also create decorative paintings and panels.

  • Types of canvas

For embroidery, it is very important to choose the right canvas - a special factory fabric that is marked in a checkerboard, so that each checkerboard is a place where a cross is made with threads. Canvas can be made of silk, bleach, linen, even plastic; its main indicator is its size, equal to the number of crosses located per inch of fabric. The most popular sizes among embroiderers are 14 and 18; there are 14 and 18 crosses per inch of fabric, respectively. There is also Stramin - a fabric with larger holes that is harder to the touch. It is used for embroidery with wool or for carpet techniques (tapestry, pillows, rugs), it is well suited for beginner embroiderers, since it has a large cage.

Fabric with a uniform weave is not marked with checks, but it is also popular among embroiderers. Linen, like mixed fabrics, consists of single threads, with each thread passing over the one that is perpendicular to it and the next perpendicular. Embroidery details are better visible on this fabric.

For embroidery on fabrics where there is no uniform weave, an overlay canvas is used. There is also a soluble canvas that can be dissolved in water after finishing the embroidery.

Often the manufacturer applies a design to the canvas of an embroidery kit, then this design is filled with crosses - this is a “printed cross”. If there is no design on the canvas, then it is a “counted cross”, and the embroiderer herself counts the number of crosses for the design.

  • Cross stitch

Cross stitch is the most a popular type of needlework, not only women, but also men do it.

Crosses are divided into simple, half-cross, extended cross, extended cross with stitching, and straight cross. More complex: alternating crosses, double cross, star cross, Bulgarian cross, rice stitch. For cross stitch, as a rule, two strands of floss are used.

  • Satin embroidery

Satin stitch is embroidery in which the design covered with dense stitches. There is a double-sided satin stitch, in which the design is covered with stitches on both sides, and a one-sided stitch, the front side of which is very different from the back.

Satin stitch decorates tablecloths, blouses, and linen. Sometimes patterns are made in one color. Before you start embroidering with satin stitch, you need to master the technique of making seams. Simple seams: stem stitch, “forward needle”, chain stitch, “goat stitch”, loop stitch, loops with half loops, “knots”. These seams are needed to make plant patterns, for example, stems and branches are made with a stem stitch, flower cores with a “goat” stitch, “knots”, chain stitch.

When embroidering with satin stitch, the stitches are arranged according to the shape of the motif: from the edge to the center in flowers, to the middle in leaves, large leaves are embroidered with stitches of different lengths (edge ​​satin stitch), small leaves are embroidered with “goat” or oblique stitches, grass is embroidered with half-looplets and a stem stitch. .

Flower motifs can be embroidered with threads of two tones. First, stitches of different lengths are made in the first row, from the edge to the center, filling the petal by two-thirds. The stitches of the second row close the gaps in the first row, and lie from the middle of the flower to the edge. Take threads of the same color, but in different shades.
In satin stitch embroidery, the rococo technique is known, which is performed without a hoop.

  • Bead embroidery

Embroidery is experiencing another boom beads It is used to decorate bags, clothes, and interior details.
For bead embroidery, canvas and hoops are also used, as for other types of embroidery. Since the beads have small holes, special needles are needed here; they are sold along with the beads in stores. You will need strong and thin threads; they are taken in two folds.

Beads come in different sizes; their size should be slightly smaller than the canvas square. There are ceramic beads, glass beads, and sparkles that look like rhinestones (for embroidery on velvet, finishing clothes, embroidering pictures).

  • Embroidery with ribbons

Satin ribbons should always position the smooth (face) side up. Do not pierce the fabric threads, otherwise the tape will tear the fibers. Embroidery ribbons must be well ironed.

Mastering the Data types of embroidery You can start embroidering with silk, gold threads, precious stones, coins, and you can also learn the technique of openwork embroidery - cutwork.

But what to do if needlework and embroidery are your calling, and you feel an irresistible desire to start creating, but don’t know what to choose?! Then, first, try taking a stroll through the wonderful online store Businka32.rf - everything for embroidery, knitting, sewing. There you will surely find something interesting for yourself.

I wish you creative success!

I will be very grateful if you retweet the article or share the link on social networks 🙂

Surface Cross stitch “Richelieu” “Merezhka” Machine embroidery

Surface

Since ancient times, craftswomen have used satin stitch to decorate clothes, bed linen, towels, and tablecloths. To work, you only need a needle, threads and warp, correctly selected in thickness.

Cross and half-cross

This type of embroidery does not require any special skills. But special needles are needed: with a blunt end and preferably with an oval, gilded eye. You can embroider either with wool, on a special canvas or linen. Cross embroidery is used to decorate clothes, wallets, bed linen, and embroider paintings.

Richelieu

This embroidery is also called openwork stitch. The cutwork technique requires patience, accuracy and perseverance. To work, you will need fabric that is not subject to deformation and special needles. Collars, blouses, and bed linen are embroidered using the cutwork technique.

Hemstitch, post, split, flooring and goat

A type of openwork embroidery used to process the edges of napkins, tablecloths, and bed linen. The work requires dense fabric with threads pulled out in one direction. The remaining threads are arranged into various patterns. This is the so-called “counted embroidery”, in which you need to count the number of threads used.

Machine embroidery

Using special embroidery machines you can create decorations for clothing and room decor. The embroidery technique is pre-programmed and you just need to select the types you like.

Less known types of embroidery

Diamond embroidery Isothread Soutache embroidery “Rococo”
Bargello
“Buti” (butis)

Rather, it resembles a mosaic. For this embroidery you will need tweezers, a ruler, a ready-made set of “diamonds” and canvas, which can be bought at almost any sewing store. Diamond embroidery is bright and memorable. Products made using this embroidery technique amaze with their beauty. The “diamond” painting will decorate any interior.

Nitcography or isothread

The thread pattern is made on cardboard and velvet paper. Postcards, paintings, and boxes made using this technique are unusual and beautiful.

Soutache embroidery

To make jewelry using the soutache technique, you will need a flat stone, felt, beads or beads, the cord itself, a needle and thread. Pendants and decorative elements made using this technique are original and unique.

Rococo

The basis of embroidery is the “rococo” stitch: the thread is tightly wound around a thin needle and carefully pulled out, creating a twisted stitch.

Bargello

This sewing came to us from Italy. The secret of amazingly beautiful bedspreads, canopies, capes is in an endlessly repeating pattern, embroidered with a simple stitch and located parallel to each other.

Buti (butis)

Volumetric embroidery done with white threads on two layers of white fabric. Subsequently, the free space between the layers is filled with thick threads and forms a convex pattern.

Hardanger

An original embroidery technique in which you can use only squares, rhombuses or rectangles, expressing your vision of the world around you through strict forms.

“Hardanger” Monochrome embroidery Cutting embroidery Black embroidery Stitch embroidery Brazilian embroidery

Monochrome embroidery

Using threads of only one color, but of different thicknesses, or diluting the base color with several shades, you can get an expressive and bright picture.

Welt embroidery

A type of satin stitch embroidery - the outline of a small design is applied in stitches, a slit is made in the center and the edges are trimmed with neat, identical stitches.

Black embroidery

This embroidery is done with thin black threads on white or light fabric, but the design is not completely filled. The combination of black and white parts creates an amazing effect.

Stitch embroidery

This openwork embroidery technique is based on filling a grid with a pattern. Sewing is similar to guipure. Stitch embroidery in the form of a ribbon is used to decorate clothes, bed linen, and tablecloths. On large projects, sewing is usually repeated from square to square. Stitch embroidery is quite diverse: large and small, white and colored.

Brazilian embroidery

This sewing is one of the types of volumetric embroidery. The fundamental difference is that Brazilian embroidery is done using artificial silk. The predominance of motifs of flowers, fruits and animals makes the works made using the Brazilian embroidery technique bright, colorful and lively.

Embroidery using special materials

Bead embroidery Sequin embroidery
Embroidery with rhinestones Embroidery with bugles Embroidery with ribbons

Beads

Beads are used to embroider national costumes, wallets, cosmetic bags, hats and simply elegant clothes, and to embroider paintings.

Sequins

Sequins are used to decorate outerwear, bags, and national costumes.

Rhinestones

Sew-on rhinestones have become widespread when decorating clothes, costumes for performances, wallets, and bags.

Bugle beads

Just like beads, sequins and rhinestones are used to decorate and embroider pictures, as well as create fringe.

Ribbons

For such embroidery, it is better to use canvas; ribbons can be very different: silk, satin, nylon and even corrugated. Tapestry needles with a wide eye and a blunt tip are needed.

Silk on silk

One of the most beautiful and complex embroideries came to us from Ancient China. Craftsmen at that time used “needles as thin as hair.” Sophisticated and elegant, double-sided embroidery looks the same on both sides.

Silk embroidery Wool embroidery Crochet embroidery Embroidery with metallic threads Applique embroidery

Wool

Using special embroidery wool and needles, combining different stitches, you can easily and quickly embroider beautiful three-dimensional pictures and decorate outerwear.

Hook

Using a regular hook and floss threads, you can decorate a cosmetic bag, wallet, pincushion, napkins and tablecloths with patterns or flowers.

Metal threads

Metallic threads, made from a polyester base and a braid of fine wire or foil, are thick but flexible. Therefore, they are most often sewn on top of fabric, decorating outerwear, bags, and wallets.

Embroidery applique

By sewing pieces of fabric onto the base, trimming them with various stitches or cords, you can decorate outerwear and bags.

Russian folk types of embroidery

Krestetskaya embroidery Permogorsk painting Petrikovskaya painting Gorodets gold embroidery Olonets embroidery

Krestetskaya openwork (Novgorod)

One of the most complex openwork embroideries, based on the weaving of a large mesh and pattern, performed using specially prepared warping threads.

Permogorsk painting

The embroidery repeats the colorful designs of ancient Permogorsk painting, which still delights with its picturesqueness and cheerfulness.

Petrikovskaya painting

The fabulous Petrykivka painting, which gives a second life to the inhabitants of wildlife, is embodied in this embroidery.

Gorodets gold embroidery

The ancient and unique gold embroidery of Gorodets craftswomen served as clothing decoration for wealthy merchant families. Such clothes were kept and passed on by inheritance, like a real jewel.

Olonets sewing

Originating in the Russian North, sewing is done with white threads on a white cloth. The finished product is a silhouette located on a grid.

Oryol list

An ancient embroidery done without knots and mainly with red threads. According to an ancient legend, craftswomen embroidered patterns that formed on window panes in winter. Hence the fluidity of the design, the abundance of circles and spirals.

Gzhel, Khokhloma

The embroideries repeat the patterns of ancient Russian paintings and are made in a color characteristic of each of them.

Nizhny Novgorod guipure

An amazingly beautiful ornament is obtained by embroidering on a grid with square cells. The use of only white threads and filigree openwork make Nizhny Novgorod guipure recognizable all over the world.

Kadomsky Veniz

Russian craftswomen from Kadomi, trained by Venitian nuns, created unique fabulous embroidery: the most delicate lace that adorned the clothes of noble people.

Oryol list Gzhel embroidery Nizhny Novgorod guipure Kadomsky veniz

Types of embroidery using different types of seams

The edges of the fabric are sewn with this seam, placing them perpendicular to the hem.

stalked

The seam forms a series of closely adjacent oblique stitches.

A continuous row of loops, which is the basis of such a seam, is used for sheathing along the contour of more complex patterns.

Nodular

Used to core flowers or edging other embroidery.

Velvet

Rugs and capes are embroidered using such a tight seam with cut loops.

Spiral

Sewn with thick threads, the seam consists of eight stitches creating a spiral ring. Sometimes a pattern is also placed in the center.

Embroidery with a loop stitch Embroidery with a stem stitch Embroidery with a chain stitch Embroidery with knots Embroidery with a velvet stitch Spiral stitch

National types of embroidery

“Kruil” embroidery Bukhara embroidery Schwalm embroidery “Shisha” embroidery

Creweel (England)

A feature of embroidery, which arose more than four hundred years ago, is the use of yarn twisted from two threads of different thicknesses. The price of such yarn was very high and only noble people could afford such embroidery.

Bukhara gold embroidery

Luxurious and sophisticated Bukhara gold embroidery cannot be confused with anything else. Until now, embroidered skullcaps, shoes, and national clothes are highly valued in the East.

Schwalmskaya (Germany)

Schwalm embroidery with white threads on white is recognizable due to the use of simple motifs of flowers and animals and a stylized “tree of life”.

Shisha (India)

An original and unusual type of embroidery, which uses sheathed shards of glass, mirrors, mica, and sequins. In the old days, poor people even used the shiny wings of insects. The bottoms of skirts, jacket lapels, handbags and cosmetic bags are decorated in this way.

Trapunto (Italy)

Volumetric, printed embroidery, which decorates handbags, wallets, and outerwear. With this technique, the stitches outline a convex silhouette.

Lace lace (Romania)

With this technique, the design is laid out with a lace, and the free space is filled with threads and a needle. The cords themselves are crocheted. Dresses, handbags, and belts are decorated with lace lace inserts.

Vichy or “chicken's feet” (Switzerland)

For this embroidery, checkered fabric is used. By embroidering it with various stitches, you can imitate a delicate and original lace fabric.

Hedebo (Denmark)

Embroidery is done on linen fabric using linen threads, while the cut out parts of the pattern are framed with various seams.

“Trapunto” embroidery Romanian lace lace “Vichy” embroidery
Embroidery “Hedebo”

Japanese types of embroidery

Embroidery “Kogin” Embroidery “Sashiko” “Temari” “Kinusaiga”

Kogin

The main motif of this embroidery is a rhombus, made with white threads on blue fabric.

Sashiko

The weave of regular needle-forward seams, joining multiple layers of fabric, was originally intended to strengthen clothing, making it layered and warm.

Temari balls

To create a surprisingly bright ball, you need a blank and any multi-colored threads. By twisting the sectors of the ball in different directions, maintaining the symmetry of the pattern, you can get a wonderful decoration or toy.

Kinusaiga

The art of embroidering pictures with small pieces of silk came from Ancient Japan, where old kimonos were used for this.

Video: embroidery with gold threads

Every person has his own hobby. An activity that can relax you, distract you from everyday activities, from various thoughts and simply give yourself a rest. Today I would like to draw your attention to a beautiful type of needlework, like satin embroidery for a beginning needlewoman. Satin embroidery is creativity and one of the wonderful activities when you feel joy and see the result of the creation of your hands, when, after completing the next project, a butterfly sitting on a flower “flies out”, or maybe a beautiful bird (as in the first photo). And finally, feel proud of yourself and your creations!

Embroidery using the satin stitch technique has always helped to add a touch of sophistication to the home - extraordinary home textiles, original interior items, toys for small children, clothes, linen and many other things that will decorate any room. Satin embroidery when finishing clothes will be a unique individual highlight in any woman’s wardrobe.

There are many types of satin embroidery, but we will look at the most necessary types of stitches for a beginning needlewoman to try her hand at this undoubtedly interesting satin embroidery technique.

In order to begin this exciting process of creating another masterpiece, you will need the following items: a hoop, canvas, a drawn drawing of the future project on canvas, floss, scissors, and so on.

Satin embroidery this is the earliest technique. It was used in ancient times in the east. Therefore, another name for this technique is damask embroidery - a series of flat stitches that completely fill the free contour of the pattern, which is applied to canvas, fabric and secured on a hoop for further satin stitch embroidery.

Sketches of drawings for colored artistic satin stitch are usually black and white. This is done so that the embroiderer can choose a color palette to her own taste. This technique uses various types of seams and techniques.

Let's look at the basic techniques of satin stitch embroidery.

Types of seams:

1. Stem seam - consists of stitches that partially overlap each other, and looks like a lace. In plant patterns, they are most often used to embroider stems or individual lines, and also to trim the contours of patterns. It is convenient to sew the seam from bottom to top or from left to right. The needle with the working thread is directed back, as when making a “back needle” seam, but it comes out to the front side of the fabric approximately in the middle of the last stitch, while the thread always lies on one side of the already embroidered stitches, either to the left or to the right. The wrong side of the stem seam coincides with the “back needle” seam.


2. Buttonhole stitch- performed in the direction from left to right by moving the needle from above. The thread is brought to the front side at the bottom point of the seam, then a stitch is made with a needle in the direction from top to bottom, the thread remains under the needle and the working thread is tightened until a loop is formed. The stitches of the seam can be placed very closely or at some distance from each other. When covering the edge, to achieve greater relief and strength, a flooring is first laid under it. Seam stitches can be of different lengths. You can use a buttonhole stitch to embroider individual small elements, such as leaves or flowers.

3. Narrow satin stitch seam is performed in 2 steps: the first stage - with a “forward needle” seam from right to left, a line of satin roller (straight or curved) is outlined, the second stage - small and frequent vertical or inclined stitches of the same length are laid in the direction from left to right. This stitch is used for embroidering fine lines of a design, as well as for finishing the edges of an outline product, as well as for adding volume.

4. Chain stitch - chain stitch. This is a blind one-sided seam, it consists of a number of loops coming out of one another, and on the front side it resembles a crocheted chain. It is embroidered from top to bottom, from right to left and along the contour of the design. Sequence of stitching: the thread is brought to the front side at the first point and pulled down, holding it with the thumb of the left hand. Then, from the second point to the third point, moving the needle from top to bottom, make a stitch and tighten the thread, forming the first loop. Subsequent loops are made in the same way, thus forming a “chain” seam. They can be used to embroider both straight and curved contours.

5. Smooth stitch - used to fill large areas of a pattern. Consists of long stitches and one or more short cross stitches that attach the long stitches to the fabric. It is better to do a long stitch only on the front side. You can also fill the entire area of ​​the pattern with long stitches first, and then place short cross or bias stitches on top of them.

6. Surface with flooring - It is carried out on a pre-laid flooring, made with thicker threads, which makes the embroidery more convex and embossed. The sequence of making a convex satin stitch is as follows: the contours of the pattern are sewn with a “forward needle” seam, then the flooring is laid in one or two layers (for greater convexity), and then the embroidery is done in the direction opposite to the flooring. Patterns with a wavy line of contours are embroidered using bias stitch. In this case, it is imperative to ensure that the satin stitches fit exactly along the contour and fit tightly to each other. In embossed surfaces, so-called crumpet balls are often used as elements. The thread is brought out to the front side, 2-3 turns of the thread are made with the left hand, and onto the needle and the needle is brought out to the wrong side next to the first puncture. In this case, the thread on the needle must be held with the finger of your left hand until a tight knot forms on the fabric.

7. Flat surface - It is double-sided and is used in floral patterns for embroidering wide and narrow patterns. The needle from the wrong side runs across the entire width of the pattern, the stitches fit tightly together (Fig. The direction of the stitches can be straight or oblique. Performed without flooring. In large details, satin stitches are arranged according to the shape of the pattern: in leaves - from the edge to the middle, in the direction of the veins, in flower petals - from the edge to the center.


8. Shadow surface - uh This satin stitch is made along a free contour using threads of different colors. At the same time, there is no clear boundary between the colors, and the transition from one thread tone to another is achieved using stitches of different lengths, included in one another. This technique achieves the so-called shadow effect. Sequence of shadow stitching. Transfer the pattern to the fabric and apply a conditional division according to the tones of the threads. To do this, draw curved lines with a pencil, which serve as the boundary of the transition of one color to another. Moreover, you need to stick the needle not exactly along these lines, but above and below. The stitches need to be applied tightly one to the other, and placed in a direction that depends on the pattern. So, if it is a flower petal, then in the direction of the center of the flower, if it is a leaf, then in the direction of the central vein, and so on. Therefore, to simplify the work, you can use a pencil to draw dashed lines on the fabric that indicate the direction of the stitches.

Sequence of making a flower petal

The petal is divided into 3-4 parts and embroidery begins from the middle of the upper part. Having finished the right half, the needle and thread are passed along the petal from the front side to the left edge of the petal and the left half is embroidered. When the embroidery of the upper part of the petal is completed, the thread is cut and in the same way, from the middle, they begin to embroider the second part of the petal with a thread of a different color. So that the second tone of threads enters into the first gradually, it is performed by either lengthening or shortening the stitches (the stitches of the second part are laid between the stitches of the first part). Having completed the right half, the needle is moved to the beginning of the left half and performed in the same way. The rest of the parts are done in exactly the same way. The transition of colors in a petal is from lighter (topmost) to darker (bottom).

Sequence of making a leaf with a vein in the middle

Embroider the leaf using oblique satin stitch, placing the stitches towards the vein. First perform the right, then the left half of the leaf. First, each half of the leaf must be divided into 2-4 parts (according to the number of colors). Embroidery begins from the outermost (lightest) part in the direction from top to bottom. The stitches along the edges are shorter and longer towards the center of the leaf. The second and third parts are also embroidered from top to bottom, only the color of the threads is darker. The second (left) half of the leaf is embroidered in the same way, only in the direction from bottom to top and from the central (darker) part to the outer (lighter) part.

Knowing these basics of satin stitch technique, you can safely begin a project to start a small satin stitch embroidery pattern.


There are also other techniques for embroidering with satin stitch: back stitch, twisted knot, French knot, Vladimir edge stitch, slotted stitch, satin stitch, and so on.