How to Outline stitch

On this page, we explain the embroidery method and points of "outline stitch" with photos and GIF videos.
An outline stitch is a line stitch that is very similar to a stem stitch.
This time, I embroidered with wool thread so that the flow of the thread is easy to understand.

The back side is embroidered on transparent organza fabric, so please refer to how the hands are on the back side of the embroidery frame.
The beginning and end of stitching are embroidered in an inconspicuous way from the front and back.

Outline stitch

Table of contents

【１】Beginning stitch
【２】How to Outline stitch
【３】End stitch
【４】Thread loop position during embroidery (pattern with many curves)

【１】Beginning stitch

Make Beginning stitch near the start position

This time, Outline stitch is going from left to right, so make Beginning stitch slightly inside the left edge of the draft line.

Make Beginning stitch so that it is hidden by Outline stitch that will be embroidered later.
The stitch at the beginning of stitching is completed by stitching two small straight stitches as shown in the video.

The point is to make the stitch at the beginning of the stitch as small as possible on the draft line.
By doing so, the stitches at the beginning of the embroidery can be completely hidden, and the back side of the embroidery can be finished without being bulky.

【２】How to Outline stitch

Outline stitch is "the loop position of the thread in the embroidery is the upper side"

Make one stitch in the direction of travel and let the thread come out from the end of the previous outline stitch.

As you advance one stitch in the direction of travel, pull the thread out from the edge of the previous outline stitch without pulling the thread completely.

Then the reverse side of the outline stitch becomes like a backstitch.

The key point when embroidering Outline stitches is that the loop position of the thread in the embroidery should be on the upper side.
When this loop of thread comes to the bottom, it becomes Stem stitch, so we always keep the position of the loop of thread in mind as we proceed with the embroidery.

【３】End stitch

Make it hidden under the Outline stitch

Make End stitch so that it is hidden under the two Outline stitches.
Just like the stitch at the beginning of the stitch, two small straight stitches will be the stitch at the end of the stitch.
Since the final stitch will be embroidered just below the Outline stitch, shift the thread with your finger and embroider.

【４】Thread loop position during embroidery (pattern with many curves)

When embroidering a straight line with Outline stitch, it is easy to see the position of the thread loop in the embroidery, but when embroidering characters with many curves, it may be difficult to find the position of the loop.
As shown in the image below, proceed with the embroidery while checking that the loop of thread is on the "upper side".

↑ When the direction of embroidery changes, it is difficult to decide which side the loop of thread is on. Embroider while remembering that it is "upper side".

↑ The loop of the thread is on the upper side with respect to the direction of travel, but the thread at hand is on the lower side.
In this state, you may be worried about whether the position of the loop of thread is correct.
Confirm that it is "upper" and proceed.

↑ If you don't know where to place the thread, try moving the embroidery frame to check the direction of movement.

Watch a video on how to embroidery

"How to Straight Outline stitch" is explained from 0:17. "How to Curved Outline stitch" is explained from 3:37.
Subtitles are included, so please turn them on and watch.

Click here to download the Free embroidery pattern

Print the PDF in A4 size and borderless.

Outline stitch and Stem stitch explanation page

How to Stem stitch

Comparison of outline stitch and stem stitch