5 Fun & Easy Back Stitch Variation
Table of Contents
- Whipped Back Stitch
- Threaded Back Stitch
- Double Threaded Back Stitch
- Pekinese Stitch
- Interlaced Back Stitch
- Video
I love it when a simple stitch can be used to create variations that are full of character so I'm going to hit upon 5 back stitch variations you may want to try out, and they all start with the back stitch so if you’re not sure how to make them be sure to head over to my back stitch tutorial first so you can follow along.
I’ll start each variation with one color and then I’ll use another so you can see what I’m adding to them. Also, each stitch requires your needle to slide under thread ,and if at any time you have issues with the needle snagging you can turn it around and use the blunt end.
1. Whipped Back Stitch
The first back stitch variation is the whipped back stitch which will give you a twisted rope-like effect which might remind you of ropes on old school tattoo drawings.
- Create a line using the back stitch. (red)
- Then come up at the beginning of your stitch and slide your needle under the first stitch & pull through.
- Slide your needle under the next stitch from the same side as before.
Repeat this until you reach the end of your back stitch then return to the back of the fabric at the very end. You are basically spiraling around the back stitch you laid out. Once you reach the end it will look something like this:
2. Threaded Back Stitch
The next back stitch variation is the threaded back stitch. It's similar to the whipped stitch but instead of spiraling along the back stitch it slithers like a snake along your back stitch from one side to the next.
- Create a line using the back stitch.
- Come up at the beginning of the stitch, slide your needle under the first stitch, then pull through.
- Slide the needle under the next stitch on the same side of the back stitch that your needle is on, and pull through.
- Repeat until you’ve reached the end of your back stitch.
How tight you make your thread as it ‘slithers’ through the back stitch can be consistent so it looks uniform all the way across, or try varying it up so it’s more like mine in the photo.
3. Double Threaded Back Stitch
This back stitch variation takes what you just learned, the threaded back stitch, and adds another thread which ‘slithers’ on the other side.
If you slid your first thread under your first stitch from the bottom you’ll slide the new thread under your first stitch from the top, for example. It’ll look something like this when you’re done.
4. Pekinese Stitch
This next back stitch variation, the pekinese stitch, is super cute but you’ll want to go a bit slower with this one, and use your fingers to adjust the thread as you go.
- Create a line using the back stitch.
- Come up to the top of your fabric just a little below the beginning of your back stitch.
- Skip your first back stitch and slide your needle and thread under your second back stitch from below.
- Pull through but not too tightly.
- Slide your needle under the first stitch from above and make sure your needle is above the thread below it
- Pull through gently as you'll be forming a little loopy-loop. Use your fingers to hold your thread down at the top to keep things from moving too much as you go.
To make the next loop:
- Slide your needle and thread under the 3rd back stitch & gently pull through. Again, you can hold down the first loopy-loop with your fingers so it doesn't move as you do this.
- Slide your needle and thread under the 2nd back stitch from above (needle should be above your thread below).
- Hold down your previous loopy-loop then pull your thread through gently.
Repeat these steps until you've reached the end of the back stitch.
5. Interlaced Back Stitch
The last back stitch variation to cover is the interlaced back stitch.
- Create 2 rows of back stitches laid out parallel to each other with the same amount of stitches.
- Come up to the top of your fabric at the beginning of your bottom row.
- Slide your needle up through the 1st stitch in both rows, then pull your thread through.
- Then slide your needle through the 2nd back stitch in both rows from the same side as your needle and pull your thread through.
Continue weaving back and forth until you reach the end.
The steps of the interlaced back stitch is a lot like your threaded back stitch with the only real difference being that here you're using two rows.
Taking a little extra time to 'dress' the back stitch up a bit can add a little character to your embroidery work. Enjoy!
Back Stitch Variations Video Tutorial
Enjoy the video!