This is an easy to do stitch that can add texture and interest to your fabric.

I will work around a circle divided into many equal parts to resemble a cart wheel. The stitch points will fall on the outer circle and the center. 

Fig 1: Start by bringing the needle out from A and in through B, two points on the outer circle.		Fig 2: Now, bring the needle out again through A. Then, take the needle in through C, the center. Come out through D, as shown.
Fig 3: Now, repeat the procedure as in the first step.		Fig 4: Continue with this process for the rest of the circle.
		Fig 5: A finished wheel looks like this.

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Tags: embroidery tutorial, eyelet wheel, hand embroidery, straight stitch

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This section will give you information of the various terms and tools you can associate with hand embroidery. I have tried to keep it as simple as possible without sophisticating with too much details. 

Each page could be updated with more details and information in the future.

You can click here to go directly into each page of details:

1. Needles

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Tags: embroidery, embroidery tutorial, fabrics, hand, needles, threads, tracing designs

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This stitch can be easily done to make a variety of effects. As the name suggests, two straight stitches are connected to form an arrow shape. A series of such arrows can create nice looking borders or can be creatively used in pattern designing. These arrows can be used horizontally to form easy zig zag patterns too. It can also take on curves pretty well.

You need to know the straight stitch to be able to continue. This stitch will be illustrated between 3 parallel curved stitch lines- A, B, C.  

Fig 1: Start by bringing out the needle through a point in A. Take the needle at an angle through a point in B.		Fig 2: Now, bring the needle out through a point in C and back to the point in B. This makes an arrow. Continue this process in a vertical manner.
		Fig 3: A row of arrow head stitch looks like this.
		Fig 4: Arrow head stitch can also be made horizontally. Stitch A-B, C- B. Then, stitch C-D, E-D. And so on…

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Tags: arrow head stitch, embroidery tutorial, hand embroidery, straight stitch

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This is a simple, decorative variation of the Cretan stitch. Use it on borders or just as innovative filling, it will look neat.

You need to know the Cretan stitch to be able to continue with this tutorial.

Fig 1: First, start by making a base of Cretan stitch. Then, from the left corner, using a contrasting colored thread, bring the needle out and start lacing between the Cretan stitches as shown.		Fig 2: Go up and down the stitches without touching the fabric below.
		Fig 3: A finished row of this stitch would look like this.

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Tags: cretan stitch, embroidery tutorial, feather stitch, hand embroidery tutorial, laced cretan stitch

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This stitch resembles a small eye on a doll. Eyelet stitch is particularly nice when done in the same color as the fabric, like white on white. This stitch helps to create a small hole in the fabric with a work around it. You can work with this technique, no matter how big the hole.

Fig 1: To begin with, puncture a hole in fabric. I used a nail to do that. Now, draw a stitch line around it. The area between the drawn line and the hole will be filled with stitches. Bring out the needle from one end of the stitch line as shown. Take the needle in through the hole and bring it out again from the stitch line, as near as possible to the previous point.		Fig 2: Keep up with this simple procedure. Work all around the hole. To make the hole more visible, just pull the thread out tighter. Instead of a circled stitch line around the hole, you can also experiment with any other shapes, like square or an oval.
		Fig 3: A finished eyelet stitch looks like this.

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Tags: embroidery, embroidery tutorial, eyelet stitch, hand embroidery tutorial

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