Whipped back stitch is a simple, easy way to follow all sorts of curves in hand embroidery.
In this post, I provide step-by-step written and photo instructions for whipped back stitch; if video tutorials are easier for you to follow, I have two at the end of this post (feel free to jump ahead!).
Step 1: Draw a guideline.
I'll be stitching the stem of a flower, which has a slight curve to it. You can use any transfer method you like to draw your guideline; I've used a blue water-erasable pen for my project.
Step 2: Back stitch.
I'm using just one strand of embroidery floss here, but you can use however many strands you like. If you're brand new to embroidery, I have a fuller tutorial for back stitch itself on the blog as well.
Step 3: Bring your needle up through your fabric just next to the hole you created when you started your line of back stitching.
Step 4: Weave your needle underneath the first back stitch, without piercing your fabric, and pull.
Step 5: Following the same direction (in this example, I'm going from right to left), continue weaving your needle underneath each back stitch.
Step 6: To finish, bring your needle down through the last hole you created on your initial line of back stitching.
Video tutorials for whipped back stitch
I have two video tutorials for you - the first is a video of me finishing the second stem of the flower pattern from this post, and the second is an older video of me stitching my cloud pattern. I hope they're helpful!
