Drawing With Thread:
Embroidering with a Backstitch

 

  • What you need:     
  • Scissors
  • Embroidery thread
  • Needle
  • Fabric 
  • Pencil (or some other utensil for writing on fabric)
  • Embroidery hoop (this is not essential but makes the project much easier)
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Step One

Decide what pattern you would like to backstitch.  Using your writing utensil, draw it onto your fabric.  [The sky is the limit if you can imagine it and draw it, you can backstitch it!  The backstitch allows you to ‘draw with thread'.]
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Step Two

Thread your needle with your choice of embroidery thread.  I like to use an embroidery hoop to make it easier to backstitch, if you decide to use a hoop, place your fabric in it now.  Then, starting at one end of your drawing, bring the needle down through the fabric and back up one stitch length away.
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Step Three

With your needle on the ‘right’ side of the fabric, pull it back and through your original starting point, creating a back stitch.  Bring the needle back up through the fabric one stitch length away and repeat.
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Step Four

If you run out of thread or are finished stitching, simply tie a knot at the back and snip your loose threads.  To continue after running out of thread, repeat from step one.

Step Five

To finish off your design, tie a knot at the back and snip your loose threads.  Voila!  A threaded drawing!
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