Whipped Back Stitch

The Whipped Back Stitch is a great technique for adding texture and detail to your embroidery projects. This stitch combines the simplicity of the back stitch with a decorative "whipping" technique, resulting in a smooth, braided finish. It’s perfect for outlining shapes or adding a pop of color to your designs.

Step 1: Start with a Back Stitch

Before you can start whipping your stitch, you need a base to work with. This is where the back stitch comes in:

1. Begin by stitching a regular line of back stitches along the shape or outline you want to cover. Make sure the stitches are evenly spaced for a neat and smooth finish.

2. Once you’ve completed the back stitch line, bring your needle up at the start of the line, close to the first back stitch.

(Refer to the image below for guidance on how the back stitch should look.)

Step 2: Whipping the Stitches

Now that your base is ready, you can start "whipping" the stitches to create that beautiful braided effect:

1. Bring your needle up at the start of the back stitch line, close to the first stitch.

2. Without piercing the fabric, pass your needle under each back stitch. This will create a loop around the stitches, giving the whipped effect.

3. Continue this process along the entire line, making sure to gently pull the thread without tightening the stitches too much.

Step 3: Finishing the Stitch

Once you’ve reached the end of the line, it’s time to finish up:

1. Bring your needle to the back of the fabric.

2. Secure your thread with a small knot.

3. Your whipped back stitch line should now have a smooth, braided texture that adds a lovely finish to your project.

Why You’ll Love the Whipped Back Stitch:

This stitch adds a beautiful, raised look to your embroidery, perfect for outlining and adding a little extra flair. You can experiment with different thread colours for the base stitch and the whipping thread to create interesting contrasts or subtle details.