Choosing the Right Stitch

Choosing the Right Stitch: The Top 3 Machine Embroidery Stitches

Choosing the Right Embroidery Stitches

It can be overwhelming trying to select a stitch for your machine embroidery project, especially when you have an embroidery machine.

 However, like any crafting endeavor, you just need practice and a practical guide to get you on the right track. And luckily for you, this is your practical guide! Keep reading for tips on choosing the right stitch for your project.

The Three Stitches to Swear By

Depending on your machine, you may have dozens of stitches to choose from. However, there are three basic stitches you should know before you venture into other types. Start with these three stitches to begin building your stitching repertoire.

1. Straight Stitch

This machine embroidery stitch is the most basic and versatile: you really can’t go wrong with this stitch for any project! It is produced by simply sewing a line of stitches, and repeating over the same area to add thickness (which can be adjusted on your machine). Use this stitch for outlining, shading, or detail work on a complicated design.

2. Satin Stitch

 The satin stitch is an easily recognizable stitch, but is really only effective when used for text or borders. It is characterized by its long, unbroken threads, stitched to fill an entire area. The long length of the embroidery thread on the fabric creates a beautiful sheen that you just can’t get with another stitch. If you decide to go with this stitch, though, make sure you are using high quality embroidery thread, because you will be able to see any unraveling or pulls!

     KingStar Metallic Thread Kit (1000m)

3. Fill Stitch

 This stitch creates an appearance of weaving, which can be a great way to create volume and texture in your piece. If you need to fill up a large area within your design, go with the fill stitch, with its alternated lines of stitching that work better than the satin stitch for covering an area (although you won’t get the same sheen as with the satin stitch). Once you get comfortable with the fill stitch, you can even experiment with blending colors to get a more dynamic look in your embroidery!

Bonus Tip: Once you choose a stitch, do a test run on an extra swatch of fabric. Every stitch will have a different effect, and could cause pulls or cinching depending on the weave of the fabric. Don’t be wary about wasting embroidery supplies on a test run – it will be worth it in the end!