Finished back stitch embroidery showing a neat continuous outline made from small even stitches. — Finished back stitch creates a neat, continuous line for outlines, lettering and small details.

How to do back stitch

Back stitch is one of the most useful hand embroidery stitches to learn. It creates a neat, solid-looking line, which makes it brilliant for outlining shapes, stitching words and adding clear details to a design.

Quick answer: Back stitch is an embroidery stitch made by working each new stitch backwards into the end of the previous one. It creates a strong, continuous line, making it useful for outlines, lettering, borders, stems and small details.

Back stitch step-by-step embroidery diagram showing how each stitch goes back into the end of the previous stitch to create a continuous line. — Back stitch step-by-step illustration.

How to do back stitch step-by-step

Bring your needle up through the fabric one stitch length ahead of where you want your line to begin.
Take the needle back down at the start of the line to make your first stitch.
Bring the needle up again one stitch length ahead along the pattern line.
Take the needle back down into the same hole at the end of the previous stitch.
Repeat this pattern along the line: come up one stitch length ahead, then go back down into the end of the stitch before.
Keep your stitches a similar length for the neatest result.

Back stitch gets its name because each stitch goes backwards into the end of the last one. Once you get used to that rhythm, it becomes a very steady and reliable stitch to use.

What is back stitch used for?

Back stitch is one of the best embroidery stitches for outlines because it creates a clear line without gaps. It is useful for outlining flowers, animals, lettering, borders and any part of a design where you want a crisp edge.

You can also use back stitch for small details, stems, simple line drawings and text. Shorter stitches are best for curves and tiny details, while slightly longer stitches work well for straighter lines.

My tip: If your line looks a bit jagged, try making your stitches slightly shorter. I find this especially helps on curves and lettering, where shorter stitches make the line feel much smoother.

Practise back stitch with an easy floral project

Back stitch is perfect for flower stems, outlines and small details, which makes it a useful stitch to try in a simple embroidery project.

Beginner-friendly project

Kitchen Table Flowers Embroidery Kit

This cheerful floral embroidery kit uses back stitch for the flower stems and outlines, so it is a lovely way to practise the stitch in a real project. The design is printed onto the fabric and the kit includes the materials and instructions you need to get started.

View the flower embroidery kit

Tips for back stitch

Use shorter stitches on curves so the line follows the shape neatly.
Try to keep your stitch length consistent for a smoother outline.
Do not pull the thread too tightly, as this can pucker the fabric.
For lettering, work slowly around corners and curves, almost as if you are drawing with your needle.
Use an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taut, especially when stitching longer outlines.
If you want a finer line, use fewer strands of embroidery thread.

More embroidery help and next steps

Back stitch is a really useful stitch to practise because it appears in so many embroidery patterns. Once you feel comfortable with it, you will be able to use it for outlines, lettering and lots of beginner-friendly projects.

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