Want to learn the basics of hand embroidery with an easy online workshop – totally free?
Sign up for Embroidery 101 here. You’ll learn how to get started, the tools and supplies you’ll need, the four most basic stitches, how to transfer your pattern and how to display your work.
If you already know the basics – sign up for Embroidery 201. It’s also free! You’ll learn how to stitch on specialty fabrics like felt and stretchy T-shirts. Plus you’ll learn lots and lots and LOTS more stitches – all my favorites!
Normally split stitch is an outline stitch, but in this video I show you how to use it as a nice fill stitch.
It’s a great way to fill an area with lovely texture instead of the smooth surface you’d get by using satin stitch.
It’s also a very useful stitch to use as padding below satin stitch, to get a nice raised bed of stitching.
Using split stitch as a fill stitch is easy – there are just a couple of things to keep in mind, and I show them in this video.
Want to practice this new stitch? I used it a lot in this free embroidery pattern.

Happy stitching!
Are those chickens in the background??! Love it and thanks for your great lessons
It’s my daughter’s flock of chickens. Sometimes the rooster is. . . noisy. . . and the video camera picks him up. 🙂
Do u use embroidery floss and if so, how many strands of floss?
Thanks, Pam
I do. I’ve got a post here about how many strands to use. http://wendigratz.wpengine.com/2012/03/ask-wendi-how-many-strands-of-embroidery-floss.html
Thank you so much for putting these posts on here. I am just beginning to do embroidery and it is so much fun. I love all the colors and how you can paint with thread. And yet – even though I think I “get it” from books, watching you with the very clear instructions and the camera up close as you work is like having a friend in my living room.
Thanks so much! My husband does all the camera work and I think he does a great job of getting in close and really showing what’s going on. 🙂