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Darning stitch icon
Darning stitch

  • Tacking stitch
Darning stitch main image

This stitch consists of several parallel rows of a long version of running stitch.  Only a tiny amount of fabric is picked up by each stitch so the thread covers most of the stitched area. Geometric patterns can be built up by varying the arrangement of the stitches. In this example, a simple brick pattern arrangement is formed by offsetting the stitches.

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Flat Filling Canvaswork Elizabethan Blackwork Surface

Darning stitch is generously sponsored by Cindy Hallenbeck

Method

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Darning stitch method stage 1 illustration
Darning stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Work a long running stitch picking up only a small amount of fabric in between the stitches.

Running stitch
Darning stitch method stage 2 illustration
Darning stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Work the second row in the same way, but arranging the stitches to make a simple brick pattern as shown.

Darning stitch method stage 3 illustration
Darning stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Work the third row in line with the first so that the brick pattern is being built up.

Darning stitch method stage 4 illustration
Darning stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Continue in the same way to fill the area.

Darning stitch

Structure of stitch

Flat

Common uses

Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Canvaswork Elizabethan Blackwork Surface

Related Stitches

Double darning Running stitch

References

  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.72–3
  • Kate Haxell, The Stitch Bible (2012)
  • Jennifer Campbell, Ann-Marie Bakewell, Guide to Embroidery Stitches (2004) , p.51
  • Sarah Whittle, The Needlecraft Stitch Directory (2012)