Back stitch is a basic flat stitch in which the visible element of the stitch is worked backwards to the general direction of sewing to create a continuous solid line.

1. Decide how long you want your stitches to be and bring the needle up on the design line that distance from the start. Insert the needle through the fabric at the start of the line to make the first stitch
2. Continue along the line, bringing the needle up at the desired stitch length from the first stitch.
3. Take the needle down into the fabric at the end of the previous stitch.
4. Continue along the line to the end.

A bold raised knotted dot used for decorative purposes giving texture to the surface of the material.

They can be used singly, in closely packed groups, or scattered.

1. Bring the needle up through the fabric where you want the knot to sit.
2. Take the thread around the needle once or twice to form a spiral.
3. Place the needle into the fabric, very close to where it emerged.
4. Draw the knot down to where the needle enters the fabric.
5. Keeping the thread taut at all times, pull the needle through to complete the knot

A series of straight stitches worked parallel to one another to produce a smooth solid filling.

Satin stitch is typically used in monograming, leaves and petals.

1. Beginning halfway along one side, bring the needle up just outside the split stitch outline. Hold the thread to set the angle of the first stitch and take the needle down accordingly, just outside the split stitch.
2. Bring the needle up, very close on one side of the first stitch. Make a second stitch, angling the needle towards the previous stitch and towards the split stitch. Repeat to complete one side of the shape.
3. Then begin again in the middle. This time bring the needle up on the other side of the shape, and angle the needle towards the previous stitch as before.
4. Continue to fill the other side of the shape.

Chain stitch consists of a series of interlocking loops, each held in place by the next.

1. Bring your needle up and down in the same hole, leaving a large loop on the surface of the fabric
2. Bring the needle up again at the point you wish to anchor your loop, making sure you bring the needle up inside the loop.
3. Hold the needle in the fabric with your surface hand while you use your underside hand to pull through the slack of the loop by tightening against the needle.
4. Bring the needle and thread all the way through to the surface.
5. Form the second chain by taking the needle back through the same hole.
6. Continue along the design line to the end, then secure the last loop with a holding stitch.

Stem stitch uses repeated straight stitches with each stitch coming up beside the previous stitch to form a rope-like line, curved or straight.

When using stem stitch on tight curves, shorten the length of each stitch to ensure a smooth curved appearance of the stitch line.

1. Push the needle up through the fabric at the base of your stitching area. Pull the thread through to the surface.
2. Decide on the stitch length and take the needle down through the fabric at that point.
3. Pull the thread through the fabric leaving a loop on the surface of the fabric.
4. Hold the loop out of the way to the right as you bring the needle up to the surface halfway between the stitch length.
5. Leave the needle in the fabric while you tighten the slack on the loop against your needle.
6. Pull the needle up through the fabric and make another looped stitch, equal in length to the first.
7. Repeat step four, bringing the needle up halfway again between the stitch length.
8. Again, leave the needle in the fabric while you tighten the slack on the loop against your needle.
9. Repeat to the end of the line, each stitch should be equal in length and begin halfway along the previous stitch.

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