How to Do the Running Stitch in Embroidery

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Start at the back and make the first stitch

Come up through the back of the fabric and pull your thread through. Then put the needle back down to make your first stitch, going in the same direction as your line, and pull all the thread through.

Step 2 — Leave a gap and repeat

Leave a gap about the same width as your first stitch, then come back up through the fabric and pull the thread through. Go straight back down to make the next stitch. Leave another gap, come back up, and keep going the same way. The stitches and the gaps between them make the line.

Step 3 — Draw a guide line

It's very helpful to have a line drawn on the fabric with this stitch. Following it keeps your stitches going really straight.

Step 4 — Vary the stitch and gap lengths

The running stitch is one of the most simple and basic stitches, and you can do a lot of variation with it. Try long stitches with small gaps between them, short stitches with large gaps, or equal-sized stitches and gaps, as shown in the video. Equal sizes make a nice dashed line, which you can use to fill empty space in an embroidery project or for whatever else you like.

Step 5 — Tie off

When you're done, tie off your stitches. Do it a couple of stitches away from the end of the line so there's no tugging or pulling on the last stitch, and tie a small knot at the back of the fabric.

Frequently asked questions

How do you do a running stitch in embroidery?
Come up through the back of the fabric and make a first stitch in the same direction as your line, pulling the thread all the way through. Leave a gap about as wide as the stitch, come back up through the fabric, pull the thread through, and go back down. Keep leaving a gap and stitching to build the line.

How long should the stitches and gaps be in a running stitch?
It's up to you. You can do long stitches with small gaps between them, short stitches with large gaps, or equal-sized stitches and gaps for a neat dashed line. The dashed version can be used to fill empty space in an embroidery project.

Do I need to draw a guide line for a running stitch?
You don't have to, but it helps. Having a line drawn on the fabric keeps the stitches going really straight.

How do I tie off a running stitch?
Tie off a couple of stitches away from the end of the line so there's no tugging or pulling on the last stitch, then tie a small knot at the back of the fabric.

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