Satin Stitch

Satin Stitch is perfect for creating smooth, shiny surfaces in your embroidery. It's also great for showing off beautiful thread colours.

Instructions (given in video):

1. The premise of satin stitch is that all of the stitches need to be parallel to one another - this is what creates the unified, shiny effect. The easiest way to stay parallel is to create a few spaced out guide stitches. These are long stitches going from one side of the shape to the other. Spaced 0.5 - 1cm apart, these should help to keep me in line.
2. Then, you just need to fill in the gaps with the same long, parallel stitches - really close together. I've done this on an awkward shape, to show how to work around curves and corners. Try to keep your lines straight, even if the shape bends!
3. For the curved section, you can see that I continue to stay parallel - I don't try to angle the stitches around the curve, as this can cause big bunches of thread on the inside curves.

You can see that I try to go down, then come back up, on the same side of the shape. This helps to minimise thread wastage, because it's not criss-crossing across the back of the fabric.

This can also help to prevent stretch/pull on the fabric. As Satin Stitch uses a lot of thread, the weight of it can risk warping the fabric - so try not to pull too hard!

If you're looking for examples of gorgeous ways Satin Stitch can be used, check out my other article where I've collated 10 inspiring examples of satin stitch being used!

If you've got any questions, add them below and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!