Straight stitches · Beginner
Seed stitch
Seed stitch fills a shape with tiny straight stitches scattered in every direction, like seeds sprinkled on the fabric. It gives a light, speckled texture that lets the fabric show through.
How to work it
Come up inside the shape
Seed stitch has no set direction, so start anywhere. Bring the needle up at A.
Make one tiny stitch
Go down at B, very close to A. The stitch should be tiny, about 1/16 inch (1 to 2 mm) long.
Come up a short distance away
Bring the needle up at C, a short distance from the first stitch.
Turn the next stitch
Go down at D so the new stitch points a different way from the first. Keep it the same length.
Scatter stitches to fill the shape
Keep adding stitches, turning each one, until the shape is filled. For a random scatter, keep the stitches from lining up in rows.
At a glance
- Also called
- seeding stitch, seeding, speckling stitch, rice grain stitch
- Used for
- light filling inside leaves and other shapes; shading from dense to sparse; adding texture to a filled area; powdered fillings in crewelwork and whitework
- Thread
- Three strands of six-strand floss are a good place to start. One strand makes a finer speckle, and more strands make larger seeds.
- Needle
- An embroidery (crewel) needle. Size 7 suits two to four strands of floss, size 9 suits one or two, and size 10 suits tiny seed stitches in a single strand.
Tips
- Keep every stitch the same small size, about 1/16 inch (1 to 2 mm).
- Pack the stitches close together for a dense filling, or spread them out for a lighter one.
- For shading, pack the stitches closer on one side of the shape and spread them out toward the other.
- Seed stitch has no edge of its own. For a crisp shape, outline it with a line stitch such as stem stitch.
When it goes wrong
- The stitches line up in rows
- Change the angle with every stitch. If you like the rows, keep them: seed stitch can also be worked in a regular pattern.
- The filling looks patchy
- Look at the whole shape and add stitches where the gaps look large. More stitches make an area look darker, and fewer make it lighter.
- The stitches look long and untidy
- Make them shorter. Each stitch should be tiny, about 1/16 inch (1 to 2 mm).
Left-handed
Nothing changes. Seed stitch has no working direction, so scatter the stitches in whatever order is comfortable.
Variations
- Seed stitch in pairs. Each seed is two tiny stitches worked side by side. Pairs are easier to see from a distance, which suits larger pieces.
- Scattered French knots. French knots can be scattered across a shape in the same way. They give raised dots instead of flat stitches.
- Straight stitch. The same single stitch at any length. Seed stitch is straight stitch made very small and scattered.
Questions
- What is seed stitch used for in embroidery?
- It is a filling stitch. Use it to add color and texture inside leaves and other shapes, and for shading: stitches packed close look darker, and stitches spread out look lighter.
- How long should a seed stitch be?
- Very short: about 1/16 inch (1 to 2 mm). Keep the stitches in one area about the same length.
- Is seed stitch the same as seeding?
- Yes. Seed stitch, seeding and speckling stitch are names for the same filling. Some stitch guides call it rice grain stitch.
- What is the difference between seed stitch and a French knot?
- A seed stitch is a tiny flat stitch. A French knot is a raised knot made by wrapping the thread around the needle. Both can be scattered to fill a shape, but knots stand up from the fabric.