The long and short stitch is a filling stitch, which is similar to the satin stitch, but the long and short stitch is more suitable when filling a large area. The long and short stitch is made up from a series of straight stitches worked at different lengths to fill the desired shape. It can be used for silk painting by working with different shades/coloured threads to create a painted/ombre effect.
Long and short stitch tutorial
Materials:
· Fabric – cotton or linen fabric works well. I used osnaburg fabric which is 100% seeded cotton, but you can use any spare fabric you already have.
· Stranded embroidery thread
· Needle
· Scissors
Optional:
· Embroidery hoop
During this tutorial I am using osnaburg 100% cotton seeded fabric, DMC stranded cotton embroidery thread, a hand embroidery needle and a 5” DMC beechwood embroidery hoop.
For this tutorial, I will be demonstrating the basics of the long and short stitch using a square shape. However, this stitch can be applied to any shape you like. I will be working with three shades of pink embroidery threads to highlight the different rows of stitching.
1. Start by drawing your shape onto the fabric with a few guidelines within the shape.
2. Thread your needle using stranded embroidery thread and tie a knot at one end. To highlight the stitches in this tutorial I am using six strands of DMC stranded embroidery thread. You can choose how many strands of thread you would like to use.
3. Bring your needle up at the top left-hand corner, point 1.
4. Work your first short stitch by inserting your needle into the second line, point 2.
5. Bring your needle up at point 3, directly next to your last stitch.
6. Work your first long stitch by inserting your needle into point 4.
7. Bring your needle up at point 5.
8. Work your second short stitch by inserting your needle into point 6.
9. Bring your needle up at point 7.
10. Work your second long stitch by inserting your needle into point 8.
11. Repeat this process until you reach the right hand corner of your shape.
* Before starting the next step, I re-thread my needle using a lighter shade of pink, to highlight the second row of stitches, this will also create a ombre effect. You can use the same colour thread as your first row, or use a different colour, depending on the effect you wish to create.
12. Start by working the second row of long and short stitches by bringing your needle up at point 9.
13. Insert your needle into the end of your first short stitch, point 10.
14. Bring your needle up at point 11.
15. Insert your needle into the end of the first long stitch on the first row, point 12.
16. Continue this process, alternating between the short and long stitch, until you reach the end of your shape.
* I have re-threaded my needle once again, using a lighter shade of pink for the last row of stitching.
17. Work the last row by bringing your needle up at point 13.
18. Insert your needle into the end of the long stitch from the row above, point 14.
19. Repeat this process, filling the remaining gaps on the last row.
20. The long and short stitch is complete.
Long and short stitch top tips
Keep your stitches close together.
Work a back stitch or split stitch around the outside of the shape, before starting the long and straight stitch, to help create a neat edge and plump look to your stitches.
Long and Short Stitch Tutorial
Happy stitching!
Hannah x
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