Satin Stitch

Satin Stitch is also known as

Damask Stitch [EN], Puntos Plano [ES], Passé plat [FR], Plattstich / Flachstich [DE], Punto piatto [IT], Ponto cheio [PT], Plattsöm [SV].


How to do the Satin Stitch

Satin stitch has a very easy procedure. What is difficult in this stitch is to maintain the neatness, especially on the edges of the pattern that is being filled. So, very often, a satin stitch is outlined using one of the straight stitches like the Split Stitch, the Outline Stitch, Back Stitch, Chain Stitch, or any other similar stitches of your choice. This helps in containing the satin stitch within the parameters of the pattern or motif easily.

Also, when doing a satin stitch, we have to make sure the stitches are not pulled too tightly as it will distort the fabric. Keeping it too lose will sag the stitch. To avoid these two conditions, it will be advisable to use an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric tight. When the fabric is taut, the satin stitch will be easier to do.

Another thing to keep in mind is not to keep this stitch too long. If your pattern happens to be big, you can divide it into smaller sections and each section can be filled with shorter satin stitches. Else, opt for another stitch from the satin stitch family which will help you to fill larger areas or patterns. These include the brick stitch, encroaching satin stitch, and long and short stitch.

I will be demonstrating over an area between two stitch lines, without any outline stitch.

Fig 1: Bring the needle out through A and put it in through B. So, that makes a stitch which covers a small area between the stitch lines.Fig 2: Now, bring the needle back through C, a point very close to A. Continue this action over the two stitch lines.
Fig 3: Once finished, the area is filled as shown above. You will be spending as much thread on the reverse side as you do on the actual side of the fabric.

Learn to do Satin Stitch in 2 minutes!


Use this stitch on a pattern

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Learn this stitch along with 305 other stitches from our 600-page eBook. 


Other stitches from the Satin Stitch Family

Surface Satin

Back Stitched Satin

Trailing Stitch

Double Satin

 

94 Responses

  1. M
    Marta Bugiani says:

    Thank you so much for what you do, your videos are a good send! You are so clear and helpful, I will learn a lot with you, really thank you from Italy

  2. M
    Marta says:

    Thank you so much for what you do, your videos are a good send! You are so clear and helpful, I will learn a lot with you, really thank you from Italy

  3. S
    Sylvia says:

    Hope you like my butterflies. Wishing you a GREAT DAY. Thank you for what you do * and for being th4re. ❤️

  4. B
    Benard odhiambo says:

    Very nice thanks for the share

  5. T
    Tabatha Perez says:

    Satin stitch and filling in big letters with a curve.

    Is satin stitch a good stich to fill in a Large Monogrammed P? I’m having trouble with the curve part. Also, is there a better method I could have done differently on top of the P? I feel like I shouldn’t haven’t stopped at the top. 😞 What would you recommend? Thank you. I love your page!

    • Sarah says:

      Dear Tabatha,

      Satin Stitch is excellent to do monograms, but it could be challenging to work with. Here are a few tips that I can suggest to you:

      1. Always stitch the outline of your letter with an outline stitch- the Back Stitch is a good one. This will help in keeping the edges cleaner.

      2. Decide the path of stitching before you pick the needle. The route we follow for writing the letter might not be the best while we stitch.

      3. Now, the top of the alphabet. I would suggest that you start working the top narrow corner and go around the curve. Then, you could work the vertical leg of the alphabet. Finish it off by stitching the bottom horizontal base. Dividing any alphabet into different sections will make it easier to handle the monogram.

      4. A recommended way to work the Satin Stitch is to divide each section into smaller chunks, especially the curves. This helps us in guiding and maintaining the angle of the stitch. In this case, the stitches falling in the inner curve will be much closer and more compact than the stitches on the outer curve. This will happen as there is a space difference between both curves. Use a pencil to divide this curve into various equal sections to guide us and stitch smoothly.

      I hope these tips will help you. Enjoy stitching this monogram- it looks beautiful. You can share what you have finished here. We would love to see it!

    • T
      Tabatha Perez says:

      Sarah!!! Thank you so much for your help! Your advice really helped! It’s looking so much better now.

      Now I am practicing with the small flowers lol but I am thoroughly enjoying it!

  6. A
    Angel says:

    Is satin stitch an embroidery stitch where you’ll be spending as much thread on the reverse side as you do on actual side of the fabric?

  7. g
    gehad says:

    Is there a way to do the satin stitch using the index finger method; I mean without having to go all the way back; or moving the needle back and forth in the fabric. I hope I am clear and thanks in advance

  8. A
    Amutha says:

    Is there any book or ebook available if so can you please share the name of he same.

  9. J
    Jan Achey says:

    I am not very good with satin stitch, but I am trying. I have come upon a small 1/2″ wheel and I don’t know how to do it. I can’t get my stitches to radiate around the circle as they should. Any suggestions would be so appreciated.
    Thank you,
    Jan Achey

  10. h
    hcclds says:

    I’ve been wondering about how you go about outlining portions of satin stitch that are next to each other. Would you do the outline first, then work within that with satin stitch, or fill in with satin stitch then outline that section, covering the edge of where the satin stitch entered/exited the fabric? If I’m not being clear, feel free to email me. Thanks!
    hcclds

    • sarah says:

      Though either way might be ok, I would strongly suggest that you do the outlining first. This makes sure that the satin stitches sit neatly and held within the outlines. Also, you would not have to adjust your outlining according to the satin stitches, in case it spills over the pattern.
      Hope this helps.

  11. K
    Koyel Chanda says:

    I sure wil
    Thank u
    By the way, should I post it here?

  12. K
    Koyel Chanda says:

    Dear Sarah,
    Your reply made me gutsy coz I dared to share my work.
    This is a cotton jacket where I have combined stem stich and satin stich.
    Do let me knw what do you think.
    Fingers crossed

    • sarah says:

      Hi Koyel,
      Sorry for not being prompt to reply. I am blown away with your embroidery! Honestly. It looks really wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
      If you can, do a send a high resolution image of this jacket, and the close up of your embroidery. I just want to consider using it in our ebook with your name mentioned. 🙂

    • E
      Emmanuella says:

      It’s beautiful ❤️.

  13. K
    Koyel Chanda says:

    Dear Sarah,
    Your reply made me gutsy coz I dared to share my work.
    This is a cotton jacket where I have combined stem stich and satin stich.
    Do let me knw what do you think.
    Fingers crossed

    • sarah says:

      By the way, I think you have a real good hand and knack for embroidery. You can send some good images of your other embroideries too. 🙂

  14. A
    ANNE says:

    Sarah, I am a french embroiderer; i was 4 time in India. In new Delhi, I sewn beautiful Phulkary shawl (in Craf museum) And now I should learn this stitch (I am a good embroiderer!)
    I should want “The phulkary embroidery- a work book” by surjeet husain. But I don’t find it (or the address of the author) So If you find it in India-or the address (I can buy it by visa card) I should be happy to find and buy the book or an excellent Net tutorial. Thanks for your answer and your great embroiderers country!
    http://www.artisanne-textile.fr

  15. A
    A. G. Rushal says:

    I am readying to embark on my first big embroidery project – as you can see from the photo, I am a wee bit ambitious. I am going to embroider this coat of arms on to a stomacher, but having only ever done small projects and in cross stitch, I could use a little advice, or really any and all advice that you might have for me. I figure that I’ll be using mostly satin stitch and outline stitch for it, but I’m not certain how I would embroider the smaller details such as the stars on the shield.

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