outline stitch

Created by sarah on 24 Mar 2009

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 backwards 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 half way 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 half way 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.

NOTE:
So, the unique feature of outline stitch is that, when you work from left to right, the needle and thread will be brought out from the BOTTOM of each previous stitch. In case you work from top to bottom, the needle and thread will come out through the LEFT side of each previous stitch.
If we follow a pattern where the stitch comes out through the top or right side of the previous stich, it becomes a STEM STITCH pattern. Keep this in mind, and you will have the logic!
The subtle visible difference between both stitches is that in a stem stitch, the separation between the stitches are more visible than what you would see between the stitches in an outline stitch. 

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Tags: embroidery tutorials, hand embroidery tutorials, outline stitch, stalk stitch, stem stitch, stem stitch family, straight stitch

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12 Comments »

12 Responses to “outline stitch”

1. kut says:

   April 26, 2011 at 1:59 am

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

   Reply
   • sarah says:

     May 2, 2011 at 11:19 am

     Hey Kut,
     . We are happy that you are happy and learnign from our pages.

     Reply
2. Swati says:

   August 12, 2011 at 4:12 pm

   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…

   Reply
   • sarah says:

     August 12, 2011 at 5:06 pm

     Dear Swati,
     Happy that you have learnt from our pages and liked it.

     Reply
3. Dihanie says:

   November 10, 2011 at 7:54 pm

   thanks for helping and making it a lot easier thanks alot

   Reply
   • sarah says:

     November 11, 2011 at 5:14 pm

     thanks Dihanie.

     Reply
4. carmie says:

   November 12, 2011 at 8:12 am

   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 !!!!

   Reply
   • sarah says:

     November 14, 2011 at 12:34 pm

     Dear Carmie,

     Thanks. So glad that you are able to get back to cross stitching and that our pages are of inspiration to you.

     Reply
5. Lindsay says:

   January 14, 2012 at 4:51 am

   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

   Reply
   • sarah says:

     January 17, 2012 at 10:13 am

     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.

     Reply
6. Amber says:

   March 4, 2012 at 1:37 am

   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!

   Reply
   • sarah says:

     March 4, 2012 at 11:23 am

     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.

     Reply