Stem Stitch is also known as
Crewel stitch, Stalk stitch [EN], Punto de tallo [ES], Point de tige [FR], Stielstich [DE], Punto erba [IT], Ponto haste / Ponto pé de flor [PT], stjälksöm [SV].
About the Stem Stitch
Stem Stitch is one of the easiest to be done and perhaps even one of the first stitches to be taught to any beginner. Many times people often refer to embroidery work itself as Crewel Work, though the actual Crewel Stitch (Stem Stitch) is never as commonly employed in it! This creates a bit of confusion on if Crewel Work consists of only Crewel Stitch (Stem Stitch).
How to do the Stem Stitch
Let us now get to the procedure. To make the logic clearer for stem stitch, I have drawn a temporary stitch line with a pencil. A stitch line is through which all stitches will be running. Now, note that all the stitch points in stem 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 over 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 on top of the stitch A-B. So, all the subsequent stitch points will lie on top of their previous stitch. |
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. | Fig 4: So, the pattern of two stitches of the stem stitch will be as shown above. |
Fig 5: Continue this pattern of stitching with the needle coming out through the top of the previous stitch always. | |
Fig 6: The reverse of the fabric will give you a back stitch pattern. |
Learn to do Stem 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.
Learn this stitch along with 305 other stitches from our 600-page eBook.
Related Stitches from the Stem Stitch Family
Thank you! I understand but will have to tear out my work and redo correctly!
Oh! Doing it correctly will be satisfactory! 🙂
Hey that’s goose
Thank you
Thank you. ❤️
i like very much many thanks
Thank you, Gina! 🙂
Do you have left-handed instruction?
Thanks. I love this website.
Kathy
Hey Kathy,
I don’t have exclusive left hand instructions. Sorry about that. I would suggest you follow the same instructions, but work from right to left, instead of left to right. I hope this helps.
Hey Kathy, we now have a book dedicated to left-handed stitching. Check it out here, if you haven’t already.
Hand Embroidery for Left Handers
Have u done exhibition b4