What Is the Back Stitch?
The back stitch is a line stitch that produces a solid, unbroken line. Each stitch is made by moving backward along the design line and ending at the point where the previous stitch began. It is one of the first stitches most beginners learn, and it is among the basic hand embroidery stitches.
What Does It Look Like?
From the front, a back stitch looks like a continuous line of small, end-to-end straight stitches, similar to machine stitching. On the back of the fabric, the stitches overlap and look longer. The line is flat and crisp, unlike the slightly twisted look of a split stitch.
Why Use a Back Stitch?
- It gives a clean, solid outline.
- It works for small details and lettering.
- It is easy to control, so it suits beginners.
- It can outline a shape before filling it with satin stitch.
On tight curves it can look a little angular, so shorter stitches help. Stem or split stitch often looks smoother on long curves.
What You Need
- Fabric in a hoop
- Embroidery floss and a needle with a suitable eye
- Your design transferred to the fabric
How Many Threads for Back Stitch?
There is no single rule. Embroidery floss has six strands, and many stitchers use two strands for fine lines and lettering, and three for a bolder line. One strand gives very delicate detail. Try a sample on scrap fabric to check the look before committing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Secure the thread. Knot the end or use a waste knot, or start with a small anchoring stitch on the back. See how to knot off and start threads for options.
- Make the first stitch. Bring the needle up at point 1 and take it down at point 2, a short distance along the line.
- Move ahead. Bring the needle up at point 3, one stitch length beyond point 2.
- Go back. Insert the needle at point 2, the end of the first stitch. This fills the gap.
- Repeat. Come up one stitch length ahead of your last stitch, then go back down into the end of the previous one.
- Finish. Take the thread to the back and weave it under a few stitches, then trim.
Tips for Even Stitches
- Keep stitch length consistent. Around 2 to 4 mm is common for small work, but adjust to your design.
- Go down into the same hole as the previous stitch ends rather than beside it, or gaps will show.
- Pull each stitch snug without puckering the fabric.
- Mark your design lines lightly so you can follow them.
Common Mistakes
- Gaps in the line: the needle went down short of the previous stitch end.
- Uneven length: try marking dots at regular intervals.
- Puckering: reduce tension or retighten the hoop.
- Splitting the previous stitch by accident: that makes it a split stitch. Aim for the hole instead.
Back Stitch Variations
Whipped back stitch, where a second thread is wound through the stitches without piercing the fabric, and threaded back stitch both give a more decorative line. Back stitch can also be worked in rows as a filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the forbidden stitch in embroidery?
The name is usually linked to the Peking knot stitch and a story that stitchers lost their eyesight. It is folklore, and unrelated to the back stitch.
Is back stitch the same as split stitch?
No. Back stitch ends in the same hole as the previous stitch, while split stitch pierces through the middle of the previous stitch.