Embroidery Technique with the Back Stitch
A course by Gimena RomeroArtist and Researcher
A course by Gimena Romero, Artist and Researcher
Learn to create unique images using just one embroidery stitch
If you're thinking of picking up a needle and thread for the first time, the back stitch is a great place to start your journey in the world of embroidery. This embroidery stitch—of Victorian origin—has a peculiarity, as the name implies, in that the individual stitches are made in the opposite direction to the general sewing direction.
In this course, learn to embroider from scratch using this classic stitch alongside Gimena Romero, thread artist with extensive embroidery experience and also the teacher of Painting with Thread: Textile Illustration Techniques, Experimental Embroidery Techniques on Paper, and Introduction to Blackwork Embroidery .
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 8 downloads
Review of materials
7 minutes, 20 seconds
On your marks
5 minutes, 32 seconds
How was it?
6 minutes, 7 seconds
Loop
1 minute, 45 seconds
In continuous loop
6 minutes, 49 seconds
Curves
4 minutes, 7 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Gimena Romero, who shows you some of her personal back stitch projects and tells you about a few of the artists that inspire her to pick up her needle and thread day after day.Gimena also gives an overview of the materials you need for the course and shares some tips on where to find them.
Learn to embroider with the back stitch from scratch, including how to start and finish each one from the front of the piece. See how to recognize a loop so you can measure and play around with it, then move on to creating the filling with continuous loops and spirals.
Next, learn to create separation in your embroidery by working solely with texture. Also discover the importance of embossing in this type of embroidery, learning some simple relief stitches, by area as well as pronounced, all using an embroidery hook.
A good embroiderer never neglects the back of a piece, so Gimena teaches you how to keep it tidy; this way, you also learn to see shadow as another resource.
To round out the course, review each variant of the back stitch one by one, to reveal an almost complete final project.
What is this course's project?
Create an embroidery piece using just one stitch along with its variants.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Illustrators, designers, artists, and anyone interested in embroidery and its history as an art form.
Requirements and materials
No previous embroidery experience is necessary as Gimena teaches you everything you need to know about this exciting stitch.
As for materials, you need number 8 pearl thread, number 22 or 24 long-eyelet needles, embroidery scissors, a blanket or fine cotton fabric, a number 23 embroidery hoop and, if you like, a base for your hoop.
Reviews
- 1 month ago
Otro curso más que tomo de Gimena y la verdad es que nunca defrauda, su profesionalismo y todo lo que sabe es un tesoro para quienes decidimos seguir ampliando nuestros conocimientos en el mundo del bordado :) me encanta.
- 5 months ago
Estupendo. He aprendido mucho con las clases claras y sintéticas de la excelente profesora Gimena Romero. Y para mi sorpresa he conseguido terminar el bonito ramo de flores. Muy contenta
- 6 months ago
Excelente curso! Lo disfruté desde el principio y me encantó el resultado de mi producción. Muy claras las clases y muy bello lo que se puede lograr con punto atrás! Gimena Romero es una gran bordadora y enseña muy bien!
- 6 months ago
O ensino foi claro e objetivo. Mas senti falta de recursos adicionais, por todos os outros cursos tem sempre um algo a mais no final de cada etapa.
- 7 months ago
🖤
Her work has been displayed in various exhibitions in countries like Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, France, Portugal, Ukraine, and Spain. She has several publications under her belt in the areas of narrative, poetry, and textile research with Thule Ediciones and Editorial Gustavo Gili. Her book Hebra de Agua was awarded Book of the Year at the 2016 Teixim la Ciutat festival in Catalonia.
She has also conducted research into embroidery and the body with Lausín embroidery at the UNAM Faculty of Arts and Design in Mexico. She loves life, dogs, and biscuits.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Materials and parts sample
- Review of materials
- On your marks
- U3
Back Stitch, that's the point: Technique
- How was it?
- Loop
- In continuous loop
- Curves
- Texture contrast
- U4
More technique
- Reliefs
- Reliefs by area
- Pronounced reliefs
- The reverse also matters
- Final piece
- FP
Final project
- Embroidery Technique with the Back Stitch
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Backstitch is a linear embroidery technique that lets you create sharp lines, outlines, and fills. It’s versatile for outlining designs, adding texture, and achieving fine details in decorative and artistic embroidery.
This is an intermediate-level course, perfect for those who already know basic stitches and want to refine techniques for curves, fills, and advanced textures.
You’ll need a hoop, embroidery needles (size 22 recommended), threads (perle, mouliné), embroidery scissors, base fabric (French or Spanish), fabric glue, and patterns to transfer your designs.
You’ll learn how to embroider curves, apply backstitch, create spiral and loop fills, finish your work properly, select materials, build texture and relief, and combine techniques to achieve hyperrealistic effects and complex textures.
You’ll learn how to pick threads based on thickness and texture, distinguish between French and Spanish base fabrics, choose the ideal fabric, and select or cover hoops to ensure precise, stable work.
Smooth curves come from adjusting stitch size, keeping the thread tension just right, and positioning the working thread on the outside of the curve for better control and definition.
The course covers spiral fills, continuous backstitch fills, continuous loops, and techniques to add volume and relief to specific embroidery areas.