Lella boutique

A simple running stitch (or straight stitch) is a very basic stitch used in embroidery or hand-sewing.  It look like a series of dashes; an interrupted line or outline.  In essence, you run the needle in-and-out of the fabric.

In this demonstration, we are using the running stitch to outline a bird silhouette.  We’ll begin by threading a needle with a whole strand of embroidery floss and tying a knot at the end. 

Bring the needle up through the fabric just outside of the bird silhouette.

Guide the needle back down through the fabric, approximately 1/4″ away, continuing to follow the bird outline.

Bring the needle back up through the fabric a small space away (smaller than 1/4″).

Repeat to bring the needle back down 1/4″ away, continuing to following the bird outline.

This is what the first two stitches will look like:

I’ve chosen these stitches to be 1/4″ long for the demonstration, but they can be longer or shorter depending on what the project requires or what your preference is.