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Holding stitch icon
Holding stitch

  • Stab stitch

​Although rarely seen, this is your most important stitch. Using these when starting each thread will keep your stitches secured to your fabric.

Also see Finishing stitch for how to use this method to finish your thread.

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Flat Holding Construction Appliqué Ayrshire Basic Bead Embroidery Crewelwork Cutwork Goldwork Hardanger Mountmellick Opus Anglicanum Silk shading Stumpwork Surface Wessex Stitchery Whitework

Holding stitch is generously sponsored by Kathryn Hoyman

Method

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Holding stitch method stage 1 illustration
Holding stitch method stage 1 photograph
1

Knot the end of the thread and take the thread down through the fabric from the top (this is known as a waste knot). Pull the thread through, then bring the needle up just behind the knot, either on the line or within the shape you are filling, so that it will lie under the stitching.

Holding stitch method stage 2 illustration
Holding stitch method stage 2 photograph
2

Pull the thread through, then make a tiny stitch close by.

Holding stitch method stage 3 illustration
Holding stitch method stage 3 photograph
3

Make a second tiny stitch next to the first stitch.

Holding stitch method stage 4 illustration
Holding stitch method stage 4 photograph
4

Bring the needle up where you wish to start the first stitch and cut off the knot close to the fabric surface.

Holding stitch

Structure of stitch

Flat

Common uses

Holding Construction

Embroidery Techniques

Appliqué Ayrshire Basic Bead Embroidery Crewelwork Cutwork Goldwork Hardanger Mountmellick Opus Anglicanum Silk shading Stumpwork Surface Wessex Stitchery Whitework

Identifying Holding stitch

​Two or three tiny stitches close together.  They are rarely seen as they are used to anchor the thread before the decorative stitching starts (or when finishing off a thread), so they are normally hidden by the decorative stitching.

References

  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.39