Split back stitch hand embroidery tutorial

Split backstitch

Split backstitch is a variation of the backstitch and looks very similar to a split stitch. Often, people call both stitches a split stitch, but a split stitch and split backstitch are different stitches. You can read more about it Here.

Applications of Split backstitch

It is easy to embroider straight lines and curves with this stitch. For this reason, use it for:

  • Outlines
  • Lettering
  • Simple borders

Important! keep in mind that you will use a lot of thread if you would use a split backstitch for filling. So use a split stitch filling instead. The outcome will look very similar, but you will save a lot of embroidery floss.

Video tutorial

Watch the video tutorial below and learn how to embroider the split backstitch.

More variations of the backstitch:

What’s next?

Looking for some other stitch? Head to the Stitches and Techniques part of this blog and choose the stitch you want to learn!

N.B. Some of the links may take you to the EasyToMake designs blog. This is my older hand embroidery blog. While I’m dedicating all of my energy to the Practical Embroidery blog, the previous version still has a lot of great content!