Embroidery is an art that demands attention to detail and diligence. The entire process of embroidery may seem meditative and enchanting, but even in this captivating pursuit, there are important details to consider. One of these details is the backside of embroidery. The perfect backside is more than just a detail; in this article, we will explore what constitutes the perfect backside, why it's important, and provide five simple rules to help you achieve perfection in this aspect of embroidery.
The Perfect Backside – What Is It?
What does the perfect backside of embroidery look like? Here are some key characteristics:
- Immaculate cleanliness. The perfect backside is devoid of knots, random loops, or loose thread ends. It appears neat and free of unnecessary elements.
- Uniform stitches. Stitches on the perfect backside are oriented in the same direction as the stitches on the front side of the embroidery.
- Absence of long floats. The perfect backside does not have long floats that could create irregularities or bulges on the front side of the embroidery. Typically, the length of floats does not exceed 1 centimeter.
- Consistent thread tension and the absence of "carried" stitches. Carried stitches are those where the needle passes through two holes in the fabric at once, leaving a long stitch on the front side of the embroidery.
The perfect backside is important not only from an aesthetic perspective but also for the durability and longevity of your embroidery. By adhering to these characteristics, you can create embroideries that delight you and others with their impeccable quality.
Why Do You Need the Perfect Backside?
The quality of the perfect backside reflects the skill of the embroiderer. Besides its visual appeal, the perfect backside is essential in items where it is visible, such as tablecloths, napkins, clothing, and various accessories.
Some novice embroiderers may think that the backside doesn't matter because it won't be seen. They explain this by saying that pictures are usually framed, so the backside remains hidden. However, even in such cases, it's essential to strive for a neat backside.
If the backside of an embroidered picture has many knots and loose thread ends, the fabric may pucker. This will be noticeable even if the embroidered work is framed. On pictures with partial stitching, thread ends can be seen through the fabric.
A Bit of Embroidery History
The backside of embroidery has been noted since ancient times. It was believed that if a girl made many knots on the backside of her embroidery, she would be a poor housekeeper and quarrelsome wife. If there were many long floats on the backside, it was concluded that the girl who embroidered the piece was a schemer. Additionally, according to ancient beliefs, the presence of crosses on the backside was unacceptable. Wearing such an item could lead to many life difficulties.
How to Learn Embroidery with the Perfect Backside
- First and foremost, determine the direction of your embroidery. Many embroiderers begin work from the center of the fabric. This ensures uniformity in the embroidery.
- Avoid making knots on the backside. Thread ends should be neatly woven under the stitches on the front side of the embroidery.
- Ensure that stitches on the backside are consistent—either vertical or horizontal.
- Maintain even thread tension throughout the embroidery.
- Avoid long floats of thread. If you need to embroider crosses at a distance of more than 4-5 cells from each other, it's better to secure and trim the thread after the first cross.
Following these five simple rules will help you achieve the perfect backside in your embroideries. Remember that even if no one sees the backside, attention to detail makes your creative works more high-quality and enduring.
But embroidery is a creative process, meant to bring you joy. Therefore, even if your backside isn't perfect yet, prioritize enjoying the process of creation and finding inspiration in it.
Wishing you inspiration, even cross stitches, and the perfect backside!