How to make an
Outline stitch
The outline stitch is a very handy stitch that creates a solid line. Having a solid line in your arsenal of embroidery stitches makes many designs possible. It can be used to create solid outlines around shapes, make stems and is golden when creating alphabet letters .
It is basically identical to a stem stitch and I often use the two stitches interchangeably in my designs.
What is the difference between the two stitches?
With the stem stitch the loop of the thread (as you sew) is held towards your body while with the outline stitch the loop is held away from your body. This causes the stem stitch to have neat diagonal lines creating movement while the outline stitch seems more solid.
Following along with the video below and you will master the outline stitch very quickly.
If you are having trouble opening the video viewer below, kindly follow this link to watch the video on Youtube.
If you found the instructions valuable please like and subscribe to help my channel grow.
follow along
Step by step
Step 1: Bring the needle up at the beginning of the line where you want to create the outline stitch.
Step 2: Pull the thread all the way through the fabric and insert it again one stitch length away from the starting point.
Step 3: This time, do not pull the thread all the way through, leaving a small loop.
Step 4: With the loop positioned above your stitching line, go back half a stitch and bring the needle and thread back up halfway between the beginning and end of the stitch.
Step 5: Pull the thread all the way through.
Step 6: Insert the needle one stitch length away from the last stitch and repeat Steps 4 and 5 to create another stitch.
Step 7: Keep repeating the steps until you have completed the entire line of your outline stitch.
Patterns where outline stitches are used:
Please note that outline and stem stitches are often used interchangeably since they are so similar.
You are here: How to make an outline stitch > Embroidery stitches > Home
