Satin stitch is one of the most common filler stitches. It’s used to fill in any shape with an area of flat, smooth and closely spaced stitches. Each stitch lays parallel to the last, extending across the entire length or width of the shape.

Brand new to embroidery? We recommend reading our Beginner's Guide to Embroidery first, and trying our Beginner Embroidery Kit. 

Prepare Your Thread

Select the desired embroidery yarn color. We recommend embroidering with our wool yarn, Array.

Thread the needle, doubling the yarn so you have an even length hanging on each side, and tie a small knot at the end.

Step 1: Starting to Embroider Satin Stitch

• Start by working at the midway point of the outlined shape in order to help keep stitches parallel.

• Bring the threaded needle up from the back to the front of the fabric until the knot hits the fabric, making sure to start just outside of your outline. 

• Make the first stitch pass across and down again on the other side of the shape. 

Step 2: Continuing to Embroider Satin Stitch

• Make the next stitch right next to the first, using your outline to determine the length of the stitch. You are aiming to fill the shape with solid color. 

Step 3: Completing the Satin Stitch

• Repeat, making each stitch longer or shorter as necessary.

• Try to make each stitch lay flat next to the previous stitch and avoid too much overlapping. Take care that you don’t pull the stitches too tight or it will pull the fabric and cause puckering. 

• Continue until you have filled the entire shape. 

Satin Stitch Video Tutorial

Prefer to learn by video? Watch our step-by-step satin stitch video below.

Keep Going!

If you’re ready to learn more embroidery stitches, our Zollie Beginner Embroidery Kit has all of the materials, written and video instructions you need to complete 3 projects illustrated by Arounna Khounnoraj of Bookhou. It’s the perfect kit if you’re brand new to embroidery, or rusty with your skills and looking for some support. Come join us! 

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