Outline Stitch


Outline Stitch is also known as

Puntada de contorno [ES], Point de contour [FR], Umrissstich [DE],  Punto di contorno [IT], Ponto de cotorno [PT].


How to do Outline Stitch

As the name suggests, this stitch is used to mark outlines in an embroidery pattern. It is a flexible stitch that can follow easy curves. In looks and procedure, it is only subtly, but importantly different from the Stem Stitch. Please follow the instructions of both the stitches carefully to study the differences.

To make the logic clearer, I have drawn a temporary stitch line with a pencil. Now, note that all the stitch points in Outline Stitch will fall ON the stitch line. I will be working this stitch from left to right. This instruction is for right-handed learners.

Fig 1: Bring out the thread through A and take it in through B. Take the needle backward and bring the thread out through C. Make sure the point C lies under the stitch A-B.Fig 2: You need to note that the point C lies about halfway through A and B. Also note that C lies under the stitch A-B.
Fig 3: Take the needle in through D. Try to mark D in such a way that the point B will lie halfway through C-D. Bring the needle out through B. The stitch point B will be at the bottom of the previous stitch.
Fig 4: Continue this pattern of stitching with the needle coming out from the bottom the previous stitch always.
Fig 5: The reverse of the fabric will give you a back stitch pattern.

Learn to do Outline Stitch in 2 minutes!


Use this stitch on a pattern

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Related Projects

Do you want to know where and how to use this stitch? Check out the projects below and learn more. Make something beautiful!

redwork

Redwork

Related Stitches from this Stitch Family

stem_stitch_index

Stem Stitch

whipped_stem_stitch_index

Whipped Stem Stitch

outline_stitch_index

Outline Stitch

cable_stitch_index

Cable Stitch

split_stitch_index

Split Stitch

portugese_stem_stitch_index

Portuguese Stem

japanese_stitch_index

Japanese Stitch

37 Responses

  1. A
    Anne Marie says:

    Sylvia, If you download the eBook and save it to a stick or flash drive, jump drive, whatever you call it, you can take it to Staples and they’ll print it in book fashion and put a spiral binding on it. It comes with a clear plastic front cover and a black plastic back cover to keep the pages in good shape. You could have it separated in three books for easy handling. I got two manuals printed six years ago that I use almost daily and they’re holding up very well. I guess you would need permission from Sarah first.

    Sarah, I’m just learning this embroidery fun and I am so glad I found your site! I watched a few videos and almost gave up as they were as clear as mud. Your presentations excellent! thank you.

    • Sarah says:

      Hi Anne Marie!

      Thank you so much for directing Sylvia with printing directions. We appreciate it. 🙂
      Your words of appreciation for our tutorials keep us encouraged to do more picture tutorials. I hope you enjoy more the journey of learning hand embroidery with us.

  2. S
    Sylvia Fraley says:

    Your E book looks very wonderful. Do you have a regular paper book. Lots of times I am not at my computer, and would like very much to have a paper type book. Please e-mail me with this info. I would be very interested in purchasing a regular bound paper book. Your site is wonderful. Thanks for your reply. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a paper book. Keep up the good work. Wonderful!

    • Sarah says:

      Hi Sylvia,

      Thank you for writing and enquiring about our eBook.

      We would have loved to say that we have a hard copy version of this eBook, but unfortunately, we can’t. Our book is 456 pages thick comprehensive guide for Hand Embroidery, making it not so easy for us to get it into a print version, at least right now. Also, we realized that a digital copy of the book will be convenient for most as such a thick book need not be carried around physically, but at the same time, if required, the pages can be printed as per convenience. Once the eBook is downloaded, it can be used on any digital device- computer, phone or tablet, and it won’t require the need for any internet to use the book.

      Warm regards,
      Sarah

    • Sarah says:

      Hi Sylvia,

      Please do read the comment above by Anne Marie giving you directions on how you can acquire a print of the eBook. I hope it helps! 🙂

  3. P
    Pat says:

    Thanks, Sarah. This is the first time I have learned this stitch making sure the points are on the drawn line. What a difference it makes. Thanks for all you do.

  4. T
    Tynker says:

    Really helpful for my project

  5. Sharon says:

    Hello: When you’re using this stitch to outline an item that you’re filling in w/ embroidery thread, do you put the outline in 1st or do you do your fill work 1st? Thanks for your help!!!

  6. K
    Kyla says:

    Great job I really hate outlines but I wanna learn more about stitches.

  7. K
    Kyla says:

    Great job

  8. S
    Shenia Costa Ferraz says:

    Este site é o melhor e mais bem explicado sobre bordado que já vi, você está de parabéns por partilhar, obrigada.

  9. S
    Shafrina says:

    Hii Sarah,
    As im learning all ur stitches… im dooin each and every stitch u hv given. Ryt nw im on d outline stitch and i c dat stem stitch and d outline stitch are both the same. R dey both d same or do dey hv any difference.. cz if dey r diferent i can add dis stitch to my book or else i cud skip dis step…

    Tnx for d site agaiin..!!

  10. A
    Ang says:

    Your tutorials are so easy to understand! My friends and I love to get together to do crafts and I think we’ll have to have an embroidery day with your tutorial as our guide! Thank you so much for sharing! I am currently working on embroidering a skirt and will try to upload a picture when I’m done.

  11. s
    shreya says:

    hi,sara,your tutorial is wonderful.iam learning all your stitches.By the by where do you live?doyou have classes?

  12. A
    Amber says:

    Hi Sarah! I have been working with my embroidery for about a year now. My Grandmother gave me an embroidery stitch book that she used when my Mother was a young girl. I have enjoyed it so very much but I have stayed away from so many of the stitches that are taught in that book because the instructions just didn’t make much sence to me. Thank you so much for sharing these tutorials. Your explanations are very clear and easy to follow and I love your examples! Last year I made an old purse look a lot better by adding my first embroidery piece to it. I am working on a hand made apron at the moment and have been using your tutorials to help me with some of my stitches!

    • sarah says:

      Dear Amber,

      It is nice to read from your comment. Please do share some of the embroidery work with us to inspire many other beginners. 🙂

  13. L
    Lindsay says:

    Hey,
    I’ve never done any embroidery before but because of the tutorials on your site I can’t wait to start! They’re so clear and really well done. Just a question though, what is the difference between this outline stitch and the stem stitch? Is the outline stitch not just the same stitch but upside down and backwards basically? Or am I missing something?
    Thanks!
    Lindsay

    • sarah says:

      Dear Lindsay,

      I am delighted to know that our pages have inspired you to start stitching. 🙂

      Getting on to your query, stem stitch and outline stitch basically follow the same technique. The only difference is: while doing stem stitch you keep the needle above the working thread , but while doing outline stitch you keep the needle below the working thread. (compare Fig 3 of both tutorials).

      So, yes, in a way you can say that outline stitch is same as stem stitch, only upside down and backwards.

  14. c
    carmie says:

    Thank you so much !! I used to cross stitch when I was a child. And now I’m older I have forgotten how and your tutorial was wonderfull!!! I will now be working on my cross stitch with ease since I found this website !!! Keep up the good work !!!!

  15. Dihanie says:

    thanks for helping and making it a lot easier thanks alot

  16. S
    Swati says:

    Dear Sarah,
    You did good job, got to learn many types of embroidery stiches, and it is very helpful to every one. Loved your hand embroidery stich tutorial… 🙂

  17. k
    kut says:

    Thanks!! i love your blog! is amazing, i am living in spain but i am mexican, thanks, thanks!!

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