A running stitch is the absolute easiest stitch to learn to sew. In a matter of minutes you can master this stitch and use it to create beautiful creations.
This is a very basic tutorial that you can use to learn how to sew a running stitch. I recommend you practice on a piece of scrap fabric. Once you are comfortable with how to sew a simple embroidery running stitch, you can try your hand at an easy embroidery or sewing project.
The supplies that you will need to learn to sew a backstitch include an embroidery hoop, an embroidery needle, fabric, and embroidery floss.
How to Sew a Running Stitch
Step 1:
Place the fabric in the embroidery hoop and tighten.
Step 2:
Cut a length of floss. You do not need a lot, about 9-12 inches should be plenty for practice.
Step 3:
Thread the floss through the needle. Pull the threaded end through just about 4 inches or so. This will create two tails, a short tail and a long tail. Tie a double knot at the end of the long tail. (Note: There are other ways to create the knot but a simple double knot will suffice for a beginner project).
Step 4:
From the bottom of your embroidery hoop, push the needle up through the fabric. Pull the floss up all the way through.
Step 5:
About a fingertip distance away from where you started, push the needle down through the fabric and pull the floss all the way through.
Step 6:
With another fingertip distance between where you just came through and where you will go up again, push the need through the fabric again.
Step 7:
Continue this pattern of pushing the needle through the fabric from top to bottom and then bottom to top, keeping a fingertip distance the whole way through until you have completed your line of stitching.
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Step 8:
To finish off, weave the needle through the last 3 or 4 stitches on the back side of the hoop and cut off the remaining tail of the floss.
And that is it! Sewing a running stitch is very simple and it is easy to get in a nice rhythm with it. I recommend that you practice several times. One of the most important things of all is to keep the stitch length consistent.
As you get more comfortable, you can try to make your stitch length smaller. With a running stitch there is no right or wrong stitch length to have. As you practice different stitch lengths you can determine what size you prefer.
Your preference for the stitch length may vary by the project that you are working on and the aesthetic that you are looking to acheive.
Once you master sewing a running stitch you are ready to try your hand at a simple project!
If you are looking to learn another simple embroidery stitch, consider learning a backstitch next. It is the perfect step up from a running stitch!
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