This is one of the most basic embroidery stitches but is so useful, not just in hand embroidery but in sewing and mending as well. It is the perfect stitch to use to gather fabric together, such as when you are finishing the back of an embroidery hoop.

• Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric (A)

• Take it back down a few millimetres along (B)

• Bring the needle up again a few millimetres further along (C) and complete the stitch (D)

• Either bring the needle fully up and push it fully down creating one stitch at a time

• Or weave the needle through the fabric a few times and pull the thread through to create several stitches at once.

Running stitches can be tiny so that they are barely visible, which is great for attaching embellishments. This stitch looks best as a decorative stitch when there is an even gap between each stitch and each stitch is of an even length, but you can vary both the gap and the length.

Normally running stitches are used in isolation, but can be stitched next to each other or alongside other stitches such as backstitch they can create interesting textures.

It’s also a great stitch to use with quilting as you can see in the header picture where the circles of running stitches are staggered.

Want to try this stitch? It is one I suggest using in my floral sampler kit and the embellished bauble kit (that will be back at Christmas).

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