Outline Stitch Video Tutorial
Here's another video tutorial for a basic hand embroidery stitch - the outline stitch. It's another versatile, easy stitch!
The outline stitch is a lot like the stem stitch - only the position of the working thread is above the needle as you stitch - or, if you're going upwards on your design, it's to the left of the needle.
Outline stitch can be used for fine lines and it can also be used for filling by working rows next to each other. The noticeable difference between the outline stitch and the stem stitch is that the outline stitch forms a closer twist in the look of your line, so that you don't see the separation in the stitches as clearly as you do in stem stitch.
Here's the video:
For more tutorials, please visit the Video Library of Stitches Index.
The outline stitch is a lot like the stem stitch - only the position of the working thread is above the needle as you stitch - or, if you're going upwards on your design, it's to the left of the needle.
Outline stitch can be used for fine lines and it can also be used for filling by working rows next to each other. The noticeable difference between the outline stitch and the stem stitch is that the outline stitch forms a closer twist in the look of your line, so that you don't see the separation in the stitches as clearly as you do in stem stitch.
Here's the video:
For more tutorials, please visit the Video Library of Stitches Index.
Labels: beginner embroidery, Hand embroidery stitches, video tutorials
Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, November 02, 2006
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25 Comments:
I've never embroidered before but your videos are so helpful and I'm really excited to try it. Thank you!
This is exactly what I need to get started embroidering, I'm hoping to get my 5yr old daughter into it as well! Thanks so much for taking the time to do these great videos! Emily
Thanks for the video, it was a great help :-)
Would you say that this stitch is a backwards backstitch? What is the distinct difference?
Hi, the tutorial video is very helpful for a beginner like me, thank you so much.
Your videos are awesome!!! Thank you for sharing!
Oh my Goodness, this was so helpful! I had read and read all these things, but Im such a visual learner that your video was perfect. Thank you thank you!
Thank you so much!!! This was so helpful! I was having a lot of trouble and this helped a lot!
I have not embroidered for 25 years. This is THE MOST USEFUL website on stitching on the internet.
The videos are visually clear. And, the Audio instructions very precise.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you so much for posting these wonderful videos! I've wanted to delve back into embroidery, after years of really not doing it properly. I desperately needed a refresher course on basic stitches..Now, I can't wait to start on some Redwork projects.
Your videos are a great help. I now learned 2 more stiches, just by watching your videos. Thank you so much for taking the time to demonstrate these stiches. Thank You!!!
Your video was exactly what I needed. I'm working on my first Bucilla felt stocking (first ever sewing project) and couldn't quite grasp how to do the stitch before finding your video. Bookmarking for sure! Thank you.
I have been wondering if the stem stitch becomes an outline stitch if the twist of the thread is a z-twist instead of an s-twist? Is the stitch defined by the tightness exclusively or by the position of the needle relative to the thread only? I know this is being petty, but I think it is a good philosophical discussion topic,... or am I just too into my stitching?
Hi, Heidi - you're right. If you're using z-twisted thread, the stem stitch becomes an outline stitch - or at least, it comes out looking just the same. No, the tension shouldn't make that much of a difference. It's the position of the thread in relation to the needle, and depending on the twist on the thread!
It's a good question! If you're wanting the look of stem stitch, after all, then it's good to know how to do it with the correct thread.
So, in summary:
If you're using an S-twisted thread:
1. Stem stitch is worked from left to right (for right-handed stitchers) with the working thread below the needle.
2. Outline stitch is worked from left to right (for right handed stitchers) with the working thread above the needle.
For Z-twisted thread:
1. Stem stitch is worked from left to right with the working thread above the needle.
2. Outline stitch is worked from left to right with the working thread below the needle.
For left handers, this changes:
With S-twisted:
1. stem: right to left, with the working thread above the needle.
2. outline: right to left, with the working thread below the needle.
With Z-twisted:
1. stem: right to left, with working thread below the needle.
2. outline: right to left, with working thread above the needle.
I had justed learning a few stitches when I came across this site. Your site is fantastic. Thanks so much for this. Ashwini, India
Thank you so much for posting these wonderful, easy to follow, free videos for embroidery stitches! I've been wanting to learn and my mom, an avid crafter and my would-be teacher, died a few months ago and I am so glad that I am able to learn still through your helpful videos. Thanks for giving me a little ray of hope!
What do you do if the pattern you are stitching requires you to turn a sharp corner in outline stitch? I'm working on a redwork project and having a hard time getting clean edges since the nature of the stitch creates a slight curve at the corners.
To make a sharp corner, you need to stop the line in one direction and then start a new line in the next direction.
You can check out my lettering tutorial with stem stitch - the last letter (K) requires a newly started direction in order to get a sharp corner. The tutorial is here:
Stem Stitch Lettering Tutorial
Hope that helps!
Thank you! That was exactly what I needed. :) You're so helpful and this site is an amazing resource.
Thank you, I am making a stocking for my niece and it said to use an outline stitch and I never mastered it before because the instructions with the stocking kits never made it clear that the thread had to be above the needle, before I just used back stitch the best I could because I never understood how to do this stitch, thanks again very helpful and alot easier than I thought!
I've just discovered your website through a friend (Frummie Sommers) and I'm so delighted!! At last I can learn how to embroider properly. I've watched 3 videos and they are so easy to understand. Brillant tutorials. I didn't realize there was an 'outline stitch' which is a different stitch to 'stem stitch' and now realize I've been mixing the two :)) and wondering why my lines have always been messy. Thank you so much for enlightening me :-D I have a piece of applique that needs a stem stitch so I will practice doing it properly today. I LOVE YOU SITE!! Elly
Ah, thanks, Elly! I'm glad you like my little online endeavor here! And I'm glad you've been able to pick up some helpful hints! Welcome aboard, and feel free to browse!
Best regards,
Mary
Thank you so much for your videos and clear instructions! As a mom of 3, I don't have time to go outside my home and take classes or sit beside someone who knows how to do it for a period of time. Your quick tutorials are perfect!!
I'm a beginner and just learned how to do the French Knot. I'm having problems with the outline stitch and that one is supposed to be easy! I can do the outline if I'm stitching on material and not a design. The minute I start on a design, like a leaf I don't know where to start, on the bottom of the leaf or at the top. One side always looks different than the other side of the leaf.
Are you right handed or left handed?
If right handed, turn your design so that you starting point - doesn't matter if it's the top or bottom of the leaf, wherever you want to start - is on the left side, so that you will be stitching from left to right. If you always turn your design so that you're stitching from left to right and keep your working thread ABOVE the needle, you'll always be doing the outline stitch and it will always look right.
If you're left handed, you would work from right to left, and keep your working thread BELOW the needle.
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