How to embroider letters? 4 ways to do it (2024)

Embroidered designs don’t have to be just images, you can also embroider a phrase, a name, your initials or even your own brand.

There are many techniques for making embroidery letters and you can choose the one you like the most or the one that is most comfortable and quick to do. Embroidering letters is really easy!

In this article I share my experience with letter embroidery, I have chosen 4 contour stitches to show you that they work very well for letters and in what style of letters you can use them.

I will also give you some tips to keep in mind when embroidering that would have helped me to know before embroidering letters.

Read on to learn how to embroider letters!

How to embroider letters? Tutorial DIY

Hand embroidery is an artistic way to decorate your clothes or bags, create pictures, decorate cushions, etc. The embroidery will give a unique personal touch to each project you make.

You can embroider whatever you want, using threads of the colors you like the most and the fabric you prefer, just remember that you learn by practicing and that you don’t have to be discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time, we have all been beginners and we have failed in the attempt.

What supplies do I need to embroider letters?

• Embroidery thread
• Embroidery needle
• Embroidery hoop
• Scissors
• Fabric
• Pencil

Before starting with the embroidery, I will give you 4 basic tips:

1. To embroider letters, make short stitches, regardless of the stitch style you choose to do it. This will allow you to get nice curves in the letters and keep them neat. The tighter the curves, the shorter the stitches should be.
2. You can search the internet for different font varieties for inspiration, for example: sans serif, serif, script, italic, fancy, etc.
3. For thick letters, use more threads (3-6 strands of floss) or thicker embroidery stitches. For thin letters, use fewer threads (1 or 2 strands of floss) and thinner embroidery stitches.
4. Draw or transfer the letters onto the fabric before you start embroidering so you have a good guide to follow.

4 ways to make embroidery letters

These 4 hand embroidery techniques are very easy to do, choose the one you like best for your project.

Each stitch has a unique look and texture, so it’s sometimes not so easy to choose from so many stitches. That is why below you will find information about the different stitches and how you can use them. If you were looking for how to embroider letters you are in the right place!

The hand embroidery stitches that we will apply to embroider the letters are outline stitches, ideal for using in lines. These are: back stitch, split stitch, chain stitch and stem stitch.

• Back Stitch
  

  Using a standard stitch is a good idea for embroidering letters, especially for the script, serif, sans serif, lowercase, or uppercase letters.

  This stitch is also a great option for outlining very large letters (you can later fill in the letter with other stitches).

  To make this stitch you need to go under the fabric and pull the needle and thread up.

  Then, leaving a space between the needle and the previous stitch, insert the needle back under the fabric.

  Then bring the needle back under the fabric to make a full stitch. Make sure to leave a space between the needle and the previous stitch.

  Bring the needle back and follow the end of the previous stitch to complete. Pull back on the needle and repeat to complete the letter.

• Split Stitch
  

  Split stitch has a braid-like appearance and is used to add texture and dimension to the letters. It can be used in any font.

  To start, pass the needle and embroidery thread up through the bottom of the fabric and then back down to make a stitch.

  For the next stitch you must pass the needle through the center of the previous stitch, separating the thread in half and continue in the same way until you complete the letter.

• Chain Stitch
  

  Chain stitch is basic in embroidery, it seems complicated but it is super easy. Pay attention to the following steps. This stitch is ideal for thicker letters.

  To start, insert the needle through the back of the fabric and pull the embroidery thread all the way through. Then insert the needle through the front very close to the first stitch.

  Pull the thread until it forms a small loop. Insert the needle from behind the fabric into the small loop just at the top end and pull out all the thread.

  To continue, repeat the same steps: bring the needle back to insert it near the last stitch you made (the end stitch of the first link) and form a loop the same size as the first. Repeat these steps until you complete the letter.

  If you want, you can find a complete tutorial about this stitch by clicking here: ‘Creating chain stitch Embroidery pattern‘.

• Stem Stitch
  

  The texture of this stitch is like a twisted rope. It is ideal for cursive or script lettering because it leaves an elegant finish on embroidered letters, as well as being a good stitch for curves.

  To start, bring the thread up through the fabric from the bottom for a stitch. Then bring the needle back up right next to and halfway up the stitch you just made. Repeat the same process until you finish the letter.

Pick your favorite stitch!

I hope you have enjoyed reading about embroidering letters and that you have taken note of some tips on how to embroider letters that I wish I had known when I learned how to embroider.

Dare to practice trying different threads, colors and stitches. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time, it’s all a matter of practice and patience!