​Small straight stitches are worked in random directions for this stitch, giving the appearance of scattered seeds.

Varying the density of stitches you work over the area can produce effective shading - the more stitches, the darker the area. Working in parallel pairs makes the stitches easier to see from a distance which is perfect for larger scale embroideries.

Seeding stitch was one of those used by the ancient Egyptians and has featured in many embroidery traditions since then: a 16th century sampler, a mid 17th century embroidery picture of Charles I and Charles II (both pieces held by the Victoria and Albert Museum); 18th century crewel New England bed curtains all feature seeding stitch.

Seeding also features in Rabat embroidery, a technique dating back to 17th century Morocco, and Guimaraes embroidery, a 19th century technique from northern Portugal, and Rice embroidery a whitework tradition popular in north America and western Europe.