In this lesson, you will learn how to back stitch a short line.

To learn to stitch a back stitch line, you will need:
a pair of sharp scissors
a small embroidery hoop
a piece of 11-count Aida fabric large enough to overlap the hoop by a few inches
a short length of embroidery floss - any color
a size 24 tapestry needle.

Find and mark the center of the fabric. Place the fabric in the hoop and set aside. Cut a 12 to 14 inch length of six-strand embroidery floss. Separate out two strands and thread the tapestry needle.

When back stitching, it is helpful to start with a waste knot. Place the waste knot near the edge of the hoop. Count over two squares from the center of the fabric and bring the threaded needle up from the back of the fabric. The waste knot will keep the floss from pulling through to the front of the fabric as you stitch.

Insert the needle in the hole in the Aida square that is immediately to the right of the hole you brought the floss through. See the image above for guidance. Throughout this lesson, you will move your stitching hand from the back of the fabric to the front of the fabric as needed.

Draw the needle and floss to the back of the fabric. Insert the needle in the next empty hole to the right on the fabric and draw the needle and floss to the front of the fabric. Do not pull the stitches too tightly or leave them too loose. You will learn how much tension to put on the floss as you stitch.

Insert the needle in the hole to the left of the one you just drew the floss through to complete the first stitch. The photo shows the floss being drawn to the back of the fabric.

The image above shows two completed back stitches. Where will the next one start in the line?

Did you get it? Of course - start the third back stitch as shown, bringing the floss up from the back to the front of the fabric.

Insert the needle as indicated to complete the third stitch. You have completed a line of back stitch!