How to Do the Split Back Stitch in Embroidery

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Knot your thread

As with most embroidery, start by tying a knot in the end of your thread. If you like to use a hoop to keep your fabric steady, set that up now. Choose the line you're going to stitch along, since the split back stitch follows a line, whether that's an outline or a shape you want to fill in.

Step 2 — Make your first stitch

Bring your needle up through the back of the fabric and pull the thread all the way through. Then make a stitch in the direction of your line and pull the needle down through the fabric. You can make this first stitch any length you like. Whatever length you choose here is the length you'll want to keep for the rest of the line.

Step 3 — Go back into the middle of the stitch

Come up through the fabric again, about the distance of your first stitch ahead, and pull the needle through. Now comes the part that makes this stitch different. Instead of going back down into the hole where the first stitch started, go back down into the middle of that first stitch, about halfway along, and pull the needle through to the back.

Step 4 — Repeat along your line

Come back up through the fabric where your next stitch will be, pull the thread through, and go back down into the middle of the previous stitch. Keep going the same way: up through the fabric ahead, then down into the middle of the stitch before it. Your stitches can be short or long, either way works. Because each stitch ends in the middle of the one before, you can't see the beginning or end of any single stitch.

Step 5 — Compare with the back stitch and finish

Keep repeating until you have a straight, complete line. If you stitch a line of regular back stitch next to it, you'll see the difference. The back stitch goes into the original hole from the previous stitch, while the split back stitch goes into the middle of it, which gives that more continuous look. This is a great stitch for outlining and for filling things in. When you reach the end of your line, tie off your thread with a small knot at the back and weave in the end.

Frequently asked questions

What is the split back stitch in embroidery, and why use it?
The split back stitch is a line stitch that's very similar to the back stitch, but each new stitch goes down into the middle of the previous stitch instead of into its original hole. This makes a more continuous line where you can't see the beginning or end of any one stitch. It works well for filling things in and for outlining.

How do I work the split back stitch?
Knot your thread, then come up through the back of the fabric and make a first stitch of any length along your line. Come up again about one stitch-length ahead, then go back down into the middle of the previous stitch. Come up where the next stitch will be and go back into the middle of the stitch before it. Repeat along the line.

How is the split back stitch different from the back stitch?
With a back stitch, the needle goes back down into the hole where the previous stitch started. With a split back stitch, the needle goes down into the middle of the previous stitch instead. The result is a more continuous line, because the start and end of each individual stitch are hidden.

What do I need to start the split back stitch?
You will need embroidery floss, an embroidery needle, a tightly woven fabric such as cotton or linen, and small sharp scissors. An embroidery hoop is optional and can help keep your fabric steady while you stitch.

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