Embroidery stitches / Satin stitch
Satin stitch
Satin stitch fills a shape with straight stitches laid side by side. Come up on one edge of the shape, go straight across and down on the opposite edge, then come up again right next to where you started. Keep every stitch parallel, close enough that no fabric shows, and under about 1 cm (3/8 in) long so it lies flat.
- Intermediate
- Fill stitch
- parallel stitches at one angle
Free practice sheet
Small circles, leaves, a band, hearts and petals, each with dashed lines showing the stitch angle
Print at "Actual size" (100%), then check that the scale bar measures 5 cm, so the marks are true to size. Trace the outlines onto fabric and fill each shape with parallel stitches at the angle of the dashed lines.
In real thread
Before you start
- Needle: an embroidery (crewel) needle, size 7 to 9 for two or three strands. Its long eye takes floss easily.
- Strands: six-strand floss comes as six thin threads twisted together. Cut about 45 cm (18 in), pull out the strands you need one at a time, then lay them back together.
- Starting: for the first thread, tie a small knot at the end and come up from the back. For line stitches, a waste knot is neater: knot the end, go down on the front about 5 cm (2 in) away along your line, stitch toward it so your stitches cover the tail on the back, then cut the knot off.
- Finishing: on the back, slide the needle under three or four stitches, then trim. Once there are stitches on the back, start each new thread by sliding it under them too, without a knot.
Step by step
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Come up at 1 on one edge of the shape, go straight across and down at 2 on the opposite edge. Starting in the middle sets the angle for the rest.
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Come up at 3, right next to 1 on the same edge, and go down at 4, next to 2. The stitches lie side by side and parallel.
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Fill to one end of the shape, keeping the same angle.
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Go back to the middle and fill the other half. The finished shape is smooth and solid, with no fabric showing.
Filled dot: the needle comes up. Ring: the needle goes down.
Front and back
Every stitch starts on the same edge, so after each one the floss returns under the shape: the back is filled almost as fully as the front. That is why satin stitch takes about twice the floss the front shows.
The back is drawn as if seen through the cloth, so its holes line up with the front.
Tips
- Keep the same angle for the whole shape; the practice sheet's dashed lines show one (60°).
- Land each stitch just outside the traced outline, so the line is covered.
- For a crisp, slightly raised edge, outline the shape in split stitch first and stitch over it.
- Keep stitches under about 1 cm (3/8 in). For larger shapes, use long and short stitch, or padding under the satin.
Common mistakes
- Fabric showing between stitches: they are too far apart. Each stitch should touch the one before.
- Puckered fabric: the stitches were pulled too tight. Let each one lie flat.
- Ragged edges: the needle came up and went down at slightly different distances from the outline. Aim exactly on (or just outside) it.
Patterns to use it on
- Split stitch
- The outline under satin stitch: work it first for a neat edge.
Questions
- How many strands for satin stitch?
- Two strands give the smoothest finish on small shapes; one strand for tiny details; three covers faster but looks less smooth.
- Why does my satin stitch look messy?
- Usually uneven angles or edges. Pick one angle, start in the middle, and land every stitch on the outline.
- How big can a satin stitch shape be?
- Keep single stitches under about 1 cm (3/8 in). Wider shapes need long and short stitch or padding.
More stitches
Sources
Updated