There are numerous iterations of backstitch in the video clip at the bottom of this page. They are listed in the table below, in the order is which they appear, with the starting time for each variety in the right-hand column.
| Basic Backstitch | 10 seconds |
| Whipped Backstitch | 4 minutes 6 seconds |
| Laced Backstitch | 4 minutes 49 seconds |
| Interlaced Backstitch | 5 minutes 38 seconds |
In the video clip on the tuition page, the small samples were worked with perle no. 5 thread on straight lines. If you wish to experiment with the stitch before you work it onto your project, work on similar lines with similar thread.
The stitch instructions and diagrams appear below, with the video clip at the bottom of the page. If you would like a printable version, click here.
- With a heat erasable pen, draw 4 parallel lines placing them about 10 mm apart.
Working the stitch:
Work basic backstitch onto all of the lines.
Basic Backstitch
Working from top to bottom, bring the needle up a stitch length before the beginning of the line. Go in at the beginning of the line, coming up again a stitch length below the beginning of the stitch you are working. Repeat as necessary, keeping your stitch length as even as possible.
Whipped Backstitch
To whip back stitch, bring your needle up out of the same hole as the first backstitch at the beginning of the line of stitching. Take your needle and thread over, then under each stitch. It is advisable to use a tapestry needle when whipping. A contrasting colour thread is often effective.
Laced Backstitch
Work a line of backstitch as instructed above. With either the same thread, or a contrasting thread to provide interest, bring the needle up out of the same hole at the start of the line of backstitch. Thereafter, referring to the diagram above, snake through the backstitches going from right to left, then from left to right continuing in this way until you reach the end of the line. Go back into the fabric at the end of line, using the same hole as the backstitch.
Interlaced Backstitch (2 variations)
First variation: When you have completed the line of backstitch, possibly changing to a contrasting thread, come up at the start of the backstitch line. Go under the second backstitch. Changing direction, go under the first backstitch and over the interlacing thread that came down from the first backstitch. Continue by going under the third backstitch, changing direction, going under the second, taking the needle over the interlacing thread. Keep going in this way until all the backstitches have been laced fishing off by going into the same hole as the backstitch at the end of the line.
Second variation: Referring to the video clip, work short horizontal straight stitches next to the backstitches, lining them up with the middle point of each backstitch. When you have completed the line of straight stitches, possibly changing to a contrasting thread, come up at the start of the backstitch line. Go under the straight stitch on the side and under the second backstitch. Changing direction, go under the first backstitch and under the next straight stitch on the side. Keep going in this way until all the backstitches have been laced.
And now for the video clip that covers all of the above.
(Don’t forget to click the icon in the bottom right-hand corner to get it to full screen).