The 10 basic embroidery stitches that beginners should learn include the running stitch, back stitch, split stitch, stem stitch, chain stitch, lazy daisy stitch, satin stitch, French knots, blanket stitch, and the long and short stitch.
These essential stitches act as the foundation for countless embroidery patterns and techniques, giving you the skills to create both simple and detailed designs.
They’re easy to learn and fun to practice, even if you’ve never held a needle before. If you’ve been wanting to try embroidery but didn’t know where to begin, this list is your guide. Ready to stitch? Read on!
Key Takeaways
- The 10 basic embroidery stitches are your best starting point.
- You can use each stitch for outlines, borders, or filling patterns.
- Knowing embroidery makes it much easier to mix fabric art with resin crafts.
To start with embroidery, explore our embroidery kit and embroidery floss collection—everything you need to bring ideas to life.
The 10 Basic Embroidery Stitches
Embroidery brings a handmade, polished feel to your resin crafts. Each stitch adds its own look and texture, making it easy to decorate fabric inserts, hoops, or even tiny embroidered patches you can set into resin.
1. Running Stitch
Use running stitch for simple lines or outlines. It looks like little dashes across the fabric—super basic, but surprisingly useful.
Bring the needle up, then down, keeping stitches and spaces about the same length. Adjust the length for a finer or bolder line.
Running stitch works for borders, simple shapes, or quilted textures. Try stitching a small piece and sealing it under clear resin to show off the handmade feel.
Layer rows of running stitches for a woven look, or use contrasting threads to make the dashes pop.
2. Backstitch
Backstitch makes a solid, smooth line. It’s easy to pick up and looks polished even for beginners.
Bring the needle up, move forward a stitch length, then back down right at the end of the last stitch. That’s how you get a continuous line.
It’s ideal for outlines, lettering, and details that need crisp definition. If you want to add words or fine line art to fabric before resin, backstitch is a safe bet.
It also secures edges on fabric you’ll layer in resin, since it holds tight and doesn’t unravel easily.
3. Split Stitch
Split stitch gives you a textured, rope-like line. It’s great for outlines that need a little more character than backstitch.
Bring the needle up, go down a short distance ahead, then bring it up again by piercing the middle of the last stitch—splitting the thread. That’s what gives it that soft, braided look.
You’ll see split stitch in traditional hand embroidery for outlines and curved fills. In resin crafts, it adds texture that shows through the clear surface.
Use more strands or work stitches closer together for a thicker line. It’s flexible for both fine and bold details.
4. Stem Stitch
Stem stitch creates a smooth, slightly twisted line—perfect for curves. It’s often used for plant stems, vines, and flowing outlines.
Bring the needle up, go down a short distance ahead, then bring it up halfway along the stitch, always keeping the thread on the same side. That twist is what makes it special.
Stem stitch is great for adding organic shapes, like flowers or leaves, to fabric before you set it in resin. It looks more natural than straight stitches and follows curves well.
Try combining stem stitch with satin stitch for layered floral designs. It gives your resin craft some real depth.
5. Chain Stitch
Chain stitch forms a row of loops that look like a chain. It’s bold and decorative, so it stands out on fabric.
Bring the needle up, insert it back near the same point, keep the thread under the needle, and pull through to form a loop. Repeat, linking each loop to the next.
Chain stitch is great for outlines, borders, and filling larger areas with texture. If you want raised, eye-catching designs under resin, this is the one.
Try open chain or twisted chain for different looks. Metallic thread makes the loops shine under resin for a polished finish.
6. Lazy Daisy Stitch
Lazy daisy stitch is a looped stitch for making petals or leaves. It’s quick, playful, and gives a floral vibe.
Bring the needle up, insert it back at the same point, leave a loop, hold it down, then bring the needle up at the tip and secure with a tiny straight stitch.
It’s perfect for simple flowers or fabric accents. When you seal lazy daisy designs in resin, they look delicate and add charm to jewelry or coasters.
Group several petals around a French knot for a full flower. Mixing colors makes petals pop.
7. Satin Stitch
Satin stitch fills shapes with smooth, solid color. It looks shiny because the stitches lie side by side.
Bring the needle up at one edge, down at the opposite edge, and keep placing stitches close together until the area’s filled.
It’s best for small shapes—leaves, hearts, initials. In resin crafts, satin stitch gives you bold color patches against the clear background.
Layer it over split stitch for even threads, or use glossy floss for a surface that really catches the light.
8. French Knot
French knots make tiny, raised dots that add texture. You’ll see them as flower centers, eyes, or small accents.
Bring the needle up, wrap the thread around it once or twice, then insert it back close to where you started while holding the thread tight. Pull through for a knot on the surface.
Vary their size by changing the number of wraps or thread strands. They add dimension, which looks striking under resin.
Cluster them for textured patterns like little flowers or berries. It’s a fun way to add depth.
9. Long and Short Stitch
Long and short stitch blends extended and shorter straight stitches to create smooth shading and textured fills. Bring the needle up and down at varying distances, keeping stitches close for a seamless look.
Long stitches add bold lines or geometric detail, while short stitches soften and blend colors. In resin crafts, this mix creates dynamic inserts—long stitches stand out, while short ones add subtle texture and depth.
10. Blanket Stitch
Blanket stitch is both decorative and functional. Use it along fabric edges to prevent fraying and add a tidy border.
Bring the needle up at the edge, insert it down a short distance away, keeping the thread under the needle so it loops along the edge. Repeat for a clean border.
It’s great for finishing fabric pieces you’ll embed in resin. It keeps edges tidy and adds a stitched frame.
Vary the spacing for different effects—a close blanket stitch looks solid, a wider one more open and decorative.
Versatile Border and Pattern Stitches
Border stitches help frame your embroidery in a neat way, especially when you add it to resin crafts. They create crisp edges around fabric inlays before you seal them in resin, keeping the piece looking balanced.
Blanket stitch is great for edging fabric inside resin trays or coasters. It forms a strong thread line and prevents fraying. Stick with one color for a classic look, or switch it up for contrast.
Feather stitch offers a softer, flowing border. Its open design adds texture without heavy lines and pairs well with pressed flowers or lace in resin since it doesn’t overpower delicate details.
Cross stitch is a classic for patterns and motifs. Use it to create small designs or borders before embedding the fabric in resin. If you follow a chart, you’re doing counted cross stitch, which helps you build precise, repeatable patterns.
Here’s a quick look at how these stitches work:
|
Stitch |
Best Use in Resin Crafts |
Look/Effect |
|
Blanket stitch |
Securing fabric edges before resin pour |
Solid, structured edge |
|
Feather stitch |
Decorative borders with open spacing |
Light, textured line |
|
Cross stitch |
Patterns or motifs on fabric inserts |
Geometric, repeatable |
Mixing these stitches lets you design borders and patterns that stay crisp and visible under resin. It’s a fun way to blend fabric art with resin for something truly unique.
Also read our guide: Simple Embroidery Patterns for Beginners to Try to get easy designs that make starting your stitching journey fun and stress-free.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the 10 basic embroidery stitches gives you a strong foundation for endless creativity. With just a few simple techniques, you can outline, decorate, and fill designs that look polished and unique.
As you grow more confident, it becomes natural to combine stitches and explore advanced patterns. Embroidery is perfect for making gifts, decorating clothing, or simply enjoying a relaxing hobby. Start small, practice often, and soon you’ll be stitching with ease.
Check out our article: Embroidery vs. Cross Stitch: Which Needle Art Is Right for You? to see the differences and find the craft that best fits your style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic embroidery stitches?
The most common stitches to start with are running stitch, backstitch, split stitch, satin stitch, and French knot. These cover outlines, fill shapes, and create small details. Use them for clean borders or to add texture to your fabric.
Which stitch is called the queen of embroidery?
People often call the satin stitch the "queen of embroidery." It fills shapes with a smooth, solid color and gives your work a polished look.
You’ll spot it in both traditional and modern designs. Honestly, it’s hard not to admire how much shine and coverage it brings to a piece.
What are the basic steps in making embroidery?
First, pick your fabric and hoop it tightly. Next, transfer your design onto the fabric.
Thread your needle, secure the thread, and start stitching with your chosen technique. When you finish, tie off the thread neatly at the back.
What are the five basic stitches?
Most people start with five basic stitches: running stitch, backstitch, split stitch, chain stitch, and satin stitch. Each one does something different—outlining, filling, or adding texture.
If you learn these, you’ll have a solid base for tackling more complex designs. It’s pretty satisfying to see how much you can do with just a handful of stitches.
How many types of embroidery stitches are there?
There are over 70 recognized hand embroidery stitches. Many are just clever twists on the basics, like looping or layering thread in new ways.
Some stitches pop up everywhere, while others stick to local traditions—think Chamba embroidery from India or goldwork with metal threads. There’s a whole world of techniques out there if you’re curious enough to explore.
What are some advanced stitches to learn after mastering the basic embroidery techniques?
Once you feel confident with the basics, give bullion knots, couching, feather stitch, or long-and-short shading a shot. These stitches bring extra texture and detail, making your designs pop in a way that simple stitches just can't match.
Couching, for example, often pops up in e-textiles and mixed media projects. If you like experimenting, it's a fun one to try.
