How to embroider letters by hand: 5 easy stitches for lettering

If you're a beginner, pick up the basics of cross stitch and embroidery in our ultimate guides before you get stuck into lettering. There are loads of different stitches you can use for creating beautiful embroidered lettering, but here Anna takes you through back stitch, split stitch, stem stitch, satin stitch and chain stitch. Watched the video but still need a written reminder? Find the simple step-by-step instructions below.

Back stitch

Bring the thread through the fabric and take the needle to the next point in the line. Bring the needle back through to the next point in the line and into the previous hole made from the first stitch.

Split stitch

Bring the needle through the fabric and to the next point in the line. Bring the needle back through at the next point and place the needle in the middle of the previous stitch made, bring this through the back of the fabric.

Stem stitch

Bring the needle through the fabric and take the needle to the next point in the line. Bring the needle back through the halfway point between the first and second hole, then to the next point in the line.

Satin stitch

Bring the needle through the fabric and take the needle to the other side of the letter, with the thread covering the inside space. Bring the needle back next to the first hole made and across beside the second hole. The thread should be close together at all times to avoid gaps.

Chain stitch

Bring the needle through the fabric and take the needle to the next point in the line. Bringing the needle back through the next point in the letter, take the needle under the first stitch made and back into the hole it came from.