How to Do Long and Short Stitch (Step-by-Step)

Finished long and short stitch embroidery showing smooth shaded filling with blended colours.
Long and short stitch is used to create smooth, shaded embroidery fills.

Long and short stitch is a classic embroidery filling stitch used to create smooth colour shading and realistic texture. It is often used for petals, leaves, animals and portraits, and is ideal when you want a soft, blended finish rather than a solid block of colour.

Long and short stitch step-by-step embroidery diagram showing staggered stitches used to fill a shape.
Long and short stitch step-by-step illustration.

How to do long and short stitch (step-by-step)

  1. Transfer your design and outline the shape you want to fill, if needed.
  2. Bring the needle up at the edge of the shape and make your first stitch straight down into the fabric.
  3. Work a row of stitches along the edge, alternating between slightly longer and slightly shorter stitches.
  4. Keep the ends of the stitches uneven rather than forming a straight line.
  5. Continue filling the shape by stitching into the gaps created by the first row.
  6. Work row by row, keeping the stitches close together so the fabric does not show through.

The uneven ends of the stitches are what allow the rows to interlock, helping to create a smooth, natural-looking fill.

Long and short stitch step-by-step embroidery diagram showing staggered stitches used to fill a shape with blended colours.
Blending using Long and short stitch.

Blending colours with long and short stitch

Long and short stitch is especially well suited to colour blending. To blend shades smoothly, start with your darkest or lightest colour and work the first few rows using long and short stitch.

When you introduce the next colour, stitch it into the ends of the previous stitches rather than starting a new row. This overlapping helps the colours merge gradually instead of forming harsh lines.

You can blend as many shades as you like by repeating this process, always stitching into the uneven ends of the previous row to soften the transition.

Ready to practise long and short stitch?

If you would like a project to practise long and short stitch and colour blending, I have embroidery kits and patterns that include shaded petals, leaves and detailed fills.

Shop embroidery kits Browse patterns Get the free sampler

Tips for long and short stitch

  • Do not worry about making stitches perfectly even, variation is part of the stitch.
  • Use fewer strands of thread for smoother blending.
  • Change direction slightly to follow the shape of petals or leaves.
  • Stitch slowly and adjust as you go to keep the fill smooth.
  • This stitch works best when built up in layers rather than rushed.

More embroidery stitches to try next

Once you are comfortable with long and short stitch, you might like to try these stitches next:

Next steps in your embroidery journey

If you would like a relaxed project to put your new stitch into practice, you can explore my range of modern embroidery kits and patterns below.