{Tutorial} Ready, Set, Sew :: How to stitch perfect satin stitches

I've been receiving alot of comments from people that they can't or don't like Satin Stitch. Many people have told me that they try and avoid doing it and can't seem to get a nice, neat stitch. So since satin stitch features in ALOT of stitcheries and emboidery work, I thought that I would give a quick tutorial on how to do satin stitch.

Again, I've enlisted the help of the ever so willing (cough, cough) Brutus- my cat. He more just "offered" advice from his favourite position at the moment- sitting on top of my in-floor heater vent! Anyway, here we go...once you get the hang of satin stitch, it really isn't that difficult at all.

There's two different methods to satin stitch, depending on the shape you are stitch- straight or irregular. I'll show you the steps for sating stitching a regular, straight stitch- like a wall or pillar or the like. Then, I'll show you how to satin stitch an irregular shape.

Firstly mark out your design. For the purpose of the photos I used a dark, lead pencil, just so you can see in the photos.

Yes, Brutus is right, if you would like nice, neat and straight stitches- use an embroidery hoop. Also, stitch with a "stabbing" technique. This is where you push the needle and thread all the way through to the back of the fabric and then pull it all the way back through again from the back to the front. Some stitches allow you to do a "skimming" stitch, where you can go out and in and out and in all in one motion- completing several stitches in one go. For best results- don't stitch satin stitch this way.

So, once you've marked out your design...this next step is a must! Stitch around the design with back stitch FIRST.

Repeat on the other side.

Now you're ready to fill in your shape. 

Make a knot at the back of the fabric and bring your needle and thread through to the front at one end of the shape, just on the outside edge of the backstitch. Pull your thread all the way through to the front.

Next,take your needle over to the outside edge of the opposite side of the shape. Insert your needle, and pull through to the back of the fabric. Several tips are, ensure that your needle is placed exactly opposite of where you brought it through to the front- this will make sure that the stitch is straight. Secondly, satin stitch shouldn't be sewn using long stitches as this will make the finished shape look untidy.

 


Great you've finished one stitch. See how the stitch completely covers the line? Once you've completed one stitch, bring your needle through to the front again- very close to the first position you started at. Pull your thread through. Again, repeat the stitch by bringing the needle over to the opposite side, next to the second position and push your needle through to the back. And...yes, Brutus...thank you for the tip. Keep your stitches close together.

Keep stitching until you've completly filled in your shape.

But what if you're stitching an irregular shape I hear you ask? No problem! Here's the trick...

So say you had to stitch a shape like a heart, or a flower, or a bird...

Trace your shape onto the fabric.

Backstitch around your shape, carefully following your shape.

NOW...here's THE tip...for irregular shapes, start your stitch in the middle of the shape.

Stitch to one end, THEN, come back to the centre and stitch your way out to the other end.

Fill one side, now come back to the centre again and fill the second half. This will make sure all your
stitches are even and your shape doesn't get distorted and all scrunched....we've all had this happen haven't we?

 

Then we've had to unpick and start again...! 

 

 

Thanks Brutus, you can stop "offering" your advice now! Telling tales....no sardines on toast for you tonight...

Next time you come across satin stitch, please give it ago and don't be so afraid of it.

 

...Brutus!!! Come here you despicable cat....!

Comments

[Says Caroline]

Thank you!

[Says Klaudia]

Thank you, dor a wonderful Tutorial,...I´m learning stitchery!

Greatings Klaudia (Germany)

[Says Daniela]

Gracias!!! ES muy claro, lo entendí perfectamente