Satin Stitch

Satin stitch is the stitch most often used to fill in outlines. It forms a lovely satiny cover over an area and is good for leaves, petals or any other open area that needs to be filled in. It has its limitations though. It is best suited for smaller areas. When an area to be filled becomes too large it is harder to keep the stitches evenly parallel to each other and gaps begin to appear, or as the fabric bends gaps will appear. If you look closely at the centre picture bottom row, you may be able to see what I mean, and that happened in a small area. Other stitches, such as chain stitch are better for filling in larger areas.

Satin Stitch is formed by placing the needle through the fabric on the edge of an outline. Then bring it up again on the other side of the outline right next to where the thread come up. Repeat this again and again until the whole outline is filled being careful to keep the stitches as even and parallel as possible.

The orientation of satin stitches varies according to what you are embroidering. In my flower I have chosen to change the direction of the stitches slightly for each petal to create contrast and increase the interest of the flower. Continue working in that manner until the flower is complete.