Embroidery 101: Long and Short Stitch

Long and Short Stitch is, as its name implies, a combination of long and short stitches.  It is similar to Satin Stitch and is used for filling in areas of stitching. It is used for combining multiple colors as well as giving a different texture from the Satin Stitch.

These pictures show a large Long and Short Stitch with two colors, but multiple colors could be used.  The stitch we will use for Block Four is smaller, but the same principle.  Since the Long and Short Stitch is a filling stitch, the only way to differentiate it from Satin Stitch {or another filling stitch} is by indicating it as such on the stitch diagram. 

Start with stitches of varying lengths filling from one side of the design.

Continue to stitch in the same manner, keeping the length of stitches varied.

When the design is filled along one edge, begin with the second color.

Start stitching from within the first color, even if the stitches will reach all the way to the opposite line.  The stitches should not begin at the spot the last stitch ended.

Instead, they should begin next to, or even through the thread of previous stitches and blended within the previous color.

As you continue to stitch, the colors will look a little more integrated, I’ve used colors that are more contrasting to show the technique.

This is one of the more difficult stitches to explain, but not too difficult to complete, so please let me know if you have any questions.