How to Do Laced Back Stitch: Easy Step-by-Step Embroidery Guide
A simple way to add colour and texture to back stitch—perfect for borders, lettering and decorative accents.
What Is Laced Back Stitch?
Laced back stitch is a decorative embroidery technique that builds on regular back stitch. Once you’ve stitched a line of back stitch, you “lace” a second colour of thread through it to create a raised, twisted effect—without piercing the fabric a second time.
It’s ideal for borders, outlines, and adding interest to text or shapes. You can use contrasting colours for extra pop, or match threads for a more subtle, textured line. It’s very beginner-friendly and a lovely way to build on stitches you already know.
If you're looking to experiment with texture or colour layering, this is a great stitch to play with.
How to Do Laced Back Stitch (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Stitch a row of back stitches in your first thread colour.
- Step 2: Bring a second thread up at the start of the row, without piercing the fabric again.
- Step 3: Use your needle to weave the second thread under each back stitch—alternating direction (over and under) to create a laced effect.
- Step 4: When you reach the end, take the thread to the back of the fabric and fasten it off.
Hope you’ve enjoyed learning laced back stitch.
While you’re here, why not check out my beginner-friendly embroidery kits and patterns?
Tips for Laced Back Stitch
- Keep your tension gentle so the laced thread sits evenly along the back stitch line.
- You don’t need to re-pierce the fabric—just weave under each stitch with your needle.
- This technique works best with two contrasting threads, but you can also go tone-on-tone for a more subtle look.
