Backstitch and French knots

Backstitch makes a solid line for lettering and outlines. French knots add texture, flower centres and eyes. Practise both on a scrap of fabric in a hoop first.

Backstitch

1. Bring the needle up through the fabric a stitch length ahead of where your line starts.
2. Go back down at the very start of the line. That is your first stitch.
3. Come up again one stitch length ahead of the first stitch.
4. Go back down into the end of the previous stitch, so the stitches touch. Repeat along the line.

French knot

1. Bring the needle up where you want the knot.
2. Hold the thread taut and wrap it twice around the needle.
3. Keeping the thread taut, put the needle back down right next to where it came up, not in the same hole.
4. Pull the needle through slowly while still holding the thread, until a neat knot sits on the surface.