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Mary Corbet

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I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Satin Stitch

 

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In hand embroidery, the satin stitch seems to be considered “difficult” to stitch well. I don’t know why that is. I love the look of satin stitch. With practice, it can be an easy, beautiful stitch for coverage. Here are some of the things I do to make my satin stitched items look good:

I find that satin stitch looks better and is easier to do when your fabric is mounted in a hoop or on a frame, with good tension.

First, outline the shape to be covered with back stitch or split stitch. This ensures an even edge around the shape. Depending on the “thickness” of the satin stitched area, I use either one, two, or three strands of floss for stitching around the edge. Usually, it’s two strands. The color corresponds with the color of the thread used for the satin stitching.

Then I fill the center of the shape to be covered with straight stitches perpendicular to the finishing satin stitch.

The last step is to do the satin stitching. For this, I start in the middle of the shape, and work towards one edge, then go back to the middle, and work to the other edge. I work just on the outside of the back-stitched outline. I pick up only one thread of fabric between stitches, and sometimes, I even split that thread, depending on the weight of the floss I’m using and the type of fabric. I prefer to use one strand of stranded embroidery floss for satin stitch, but, again, depending on the weight of the fabric, sometimes I’ll use two or more. The finished product seems to look smoother with just one thread. If you use two or more, make sure you let your needle and thread hang often to untwist.

Satin stitching without padding: There are times when it is necessary to satin stitch without any padding underneath, because you don’t want the thickness of the padding on your design. In these cases, I still manage a tiny backstitch around the edge of the design, and I keep my stitches as close together as possible.

For satin stitched small dots, I try to stitch in a grid pattern – three center stitches over five threads in the fabric, with a stitch over three threads on each side of the center stitches – to give the appearance of a round dot. I don’t outline small satin stitched dots with back stitch first.

I hope those hints help…. pictures coming soon!

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(5) Comments

  1. I’ve seen satin stitch done over felt to get a raised affect. Wouldn’t ‘that save you the extra floss? Is there any disadvantages to doing it that way? I’m trying it but I have to keep poking the felt under. Any ideas?

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  2. Hi –

    Yes, when you really want a raised area, you can stitch over felt. You can even increase the layers of felt. Start with your shape that you’re going to satin stitch, and transfer the same shape onto your felt. Then cut a shape even smaller, and tack the small one onto your ground fabric first, then the larger one over it. If you tack your felt down (either by using running stitches at the edge of it, or by whippling around the edge of it) you shouldn’t have a problem with its poking through. Also, make sure you keep your satin stitches as close together as possible! Felt used in this manner will produce a mound-like 3D effect. If you want a squared off look, use board (mat board is good, as long as it is acid free) or carpet felt.
    Thanks for the question! Good luck!

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  3. Your posts are so helpful! Thank you. But I don’t understand the last paragraph of this post. Since small dots pose a problem for me, I’d appreciate more explanation.

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