One of the basic stitches of classic embroidery, the backstitch creates a solid line of color, which can be used to outline filled areas of embroidery or as a simple line of decoration in its own right.
Here you will be instructed on how to do the back stitch, so that you can see how simple it is to comfortably create this stitch after only a little practice. You will need simply a needle, some colored or appropriate embroidery thread or floss and a piece of suitable embroidery fabric.
Practice getting each stitch the same length, the more even the stitching, the better the back stitch is going to look. This stitch may also be whipped, or woven, with contrasting yarn, for a more decorative effect.
In learning how to backstitch you will discover that the stitches may be varied in length and your thread can be of a light to heavy thickness. The material you use will usually determine the weight of thread you use. Finer threads will create delicate outlines, where a heavy thread will produce a bolder outline.
It is also preferable to use a needle that is specifically designed for embroidery and is of a comfortable size to accomodate the thread you have chosen.
Back Stitch Demonstration
This nifty little demonstration gives a clear and easy to follow demonstration of how the back stitch is achieved. Using a solid colored thread and a numbered, prepunched card, the demonstrator starts by sewing from the back to the front, through the first hole. The needle is then pushed down though the second hole, back up through the third, then down through the second and so on, to form a solid line.
Step 1: Preparing to Start Your Work
Thread approximately 20 inches of your chosen yarn onto the needle.
Push the needle up through the material and pull the thread through, we will call this point A. Leave between 1 and 2 inches of single thread at the back of your work.
Step 2: Creating The First Stitch
After deciding how long you want your stitch to be, push the needle back down through the material (point B), creating your first stitch.
You will now push the needle back up to the front (point C), making this the same length as your first stitch (distance between points A and B).
Turn your work over and try to ensure that the tail of thread left at the back is caught in the back of the first stitch, before bringing the needle back up to the front.
Step 3: Continuing and Finishing
On the right side of your work, take your needle back to point B, insert, then encourage it up at C - same distance again (using a finger on your other hand under your work). Pull the thread through. Continue working in a back and forth motion until you have completed the line.
When your line is as long you require it, push the needle down at the end of the second to the last stitch, therby forming your final stitch.
On the underside of your fabric, whip the needle and working thread in and out of the stitches formed to secure it. Snip with your scissors close the the fabric.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Experiment with different length stitches for different effects
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Fact:
For a neater finish do not use knots, "catch" the starting thread and whip the finishing tail at the back of the work
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Fact:
Using a sewing needle that is designed for embroidery will simply ease threading
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Fact:
The weight of your fabric will determine the thickness of thread you will use
