This is satin stitch with a little embossed or dimensional look. This is because we first give the pattern a little padding at the base before doing the satin stitch. I will illustrate this stitch using a leaf pattern.
You need to know any basic straight line stitch like chain stitch, outline stitch , or back stitch, to do the outlining. You also need to know the satin stitch.
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| Fig 1: First, stitch an outline of the pattern to be done. I have used chain stitch to outline, but you can use any straight stitch like the back stitch or the outline stitch. | Fig 2: Once the outline is done, fill the inside of the pattern with straight stitches. You can fill it up with chain stitch too. The idea is to give a padding for the satin stitch that we will be doing, so we need not make this stitch to cover the pattern entirely. | |
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| Fig 3: Once that is done, do the satin stitch to cover the pattern. The needle needs to go in and out of the fabric from outside the chain stitch. | Fig 4: The completed pattern will look like this.  |
Tags: dimensional embroidery, embroidery tutorial, filling stitch, hand embroidery, leaf pattern, outline stitch, padded satin stitch, satin stitch, satin stitch family, satin stitch variations
hi sarah…
ur designs n tutorial were excellent…can u suggest which type of satin stitch will be apt for silk blouse
Dear Brinda,
Thanks.
For a silk blouse, I would suggest that you use the simple satin stitch. This will avoid too much tension on the fabric. Also, try using satin thread or only two strands of embroidery floss.
thanks sarah
I just read today on a victorian embroidery website that women would lay little bits of cotton as they were sewing to provide the padding instead of adding stitches inside. Interesting. The method you show seems more practical I think.
hi sarah, eathu tread anu use cheyyunathu.
Hello Vini,
I have used peaerl cotton (anchor brand) here.
This is a current project I am working on, 6 x 7 inches. In this photo I am showing a close-up of nested stem-stitch and padded satin stitch (the eye of the Tiger). Perhaps six more hours of work and I will be finished with this one.
Thanks again, Sarah, for your amazing website.
Dear Val,
Whatever little of the bigger piece I see is beautiful. Your neatness and preciseness is really commendable. Thanks fro sharing an example of the padded satin stitch.
HI Sarah, here’s the finished work. I really enjoyed this one. It’s all nested stem stitch except for the eye.