How to do the stem stitch is not really the question we’re going to address here today – although it’s part of the question.

Beyond the “how-to” of the stem stitch, let’s explore a question that comes up often here on Needle ‘n Thread and that seems to be trending right now:

How can I make my stem stitch look better?

Since the stem stitch is so universally used in hand embroidery, and since it’s a beautiful, easy, versatile stitch worth learning well, let’s chat it up a bit with this list of 12 articles that will help you stitch a better stem stitch.

Do you keep a doodle cloth?

In hand embroidery, a doodle cloth is usually an extra piece of fabric that you keep on hand, to practice embroidery stitches on before you apply those stitches to an embroidery project.

If you embroider, and especially if you’re a beginner (but even the experts do it!), a doodle cloth is a good idea!

Let’s look at five reasons you should use and keep a doodle cloth with your embroidery projects.