How To Stitch, and How The Stitches are Used in Samplers

Running Stitch / Straight Stitch

This is the most basic of the stitches. To know how to bring the needle in and out through the fabric is perhaps the most essential necessities of learning how to stitch. A straight stitch can be used in a variety of ways to create different effects.

The image is a close up taken from Anna Green's Sampler. 

Step 1: Thread the needle.

Step 2: Put the needle through a piece of cloth and pull the thread through.

Step 3: Put the needle back through the cloth, following the desired line, either straight or curved.

Step 4: The stitches should be around the same length, varying depending on the effect desired. 

Double Running Stitch

A continuation of the running stitch, also known as the Straight Stitch. This stitch creates a continuous line of color.

The image is a close up taken from Sarah Stone's Sampler. 

Step 1: Do a running stitch.

Step 2: Go back the opposite direction, putting the needle and thread through the gaps made by the first running stitch.

Step 3: There should be one line of stitches, each stitch starting where the other left off. 

Backstitch

Back Stitch is made by taking the thread backward than the conventional forward motion, and thus the name. It follows curves and bends well in a design. There are no spaces between each stitch and so gives a continuous appearance.

Step 1: Make one stitch. 

Step 2: Bring the needle back through the cloth in the middle of the first stitch. 

Step 3: Make another stitch.

Cross Stitch

These stitches are used to fill in large blocks of color, to create the alphabet and numbers, and lines in samplers. 

The image is a close up taken from Clarissa Dryer's Sampler. 

Method 1

Step 1: Make a diagonal stitch or a row of diagonal stitches, all pointed in the same direction. This will create a vertical line on the back of the cloth.

Step 2: Make another diagonal stitch across the first stitch. This will create another vertical line, overlapping the others.  

Step 3: These two stitches should form an "X."

Method 2

Step 1: The first "X" is created.

Step 2: The second "X" is created, creating a pattern of horizontal and vertical lines in the back of the cloth.

Step 3: Repeat as needed. 

Chain Stitch

This is the basic and simplest of the chain stitch family. It gives a chain like an appearance or, like petals lined up one after the other.

The image is a close up taken from Arvilla Grover's Sampler. 

Step 1: Bring the thread through the cloth. Put the needle back through the cloth where the thread came out.

Step 2: Make a stitch, and wrap the thread around the needle where it exits the cloth, forming a loop. 

Step 3: Pull the needle thought, creating the first link in a chain stitch. 

Step 4: Put the needle through the loop and put it back through the cloth, another stitch's distance. Create another loop, and repeat to make as many chains as desired.

Satin Stitch

These are used to create smooth stretches of color and fill in areas, used for flowers and leaves.

The image is a close up taken from Fanny Whitney's Sampler. 

Step 1: Make a stitch.

Step 2: Make another stitch as close to the first as possible. 

Step 3: Repeat as necessary to create the desired look. 

Tent Stitch

This stitch is used to fill in spaces, as it is a tight stitch, used for tapestries.

The image is a close up taken from Phebe Copp's Sampler. 

Step 1: Start at the left. Make a diagonal, going up from the left. 

Step 2: For the next stitch, go to the left of the first stitch, and make another diagonal stitch next to it, going the same direction.

Step 3: The back of the stitches should have a larger diagonal, going upwards towards the right. 

Split Stitch

This is another stitch used for lines and borders, as well as filling in areas.

The image is a close up taken from Betsey Hamlet's Sampler. 

Step 1: Make a stitch. 

Step 2: Put the needle back thought the cloth, coming back though in the middle of the first stitch. 

Step 3: Make another stitch, repeating the same process. The back of the stitch will look like a backstitch.