Satin Stitched Pumpkin

The Satin Stitch is one of the more difficult stitches to master, but with a few tips, you will be ready to give it a try! Because of the weight of the fabric and the prominent grain, I like to use pique fabric when teaching this stitch. The pumpkin is divided into small manageable segments which makes it a good design choice for the beginner. Hoop the fabric, and using one strand of embroidery floss, knot one end of the floss and come up in the middle of one of the pumpkin segments. Go back down through the fabric directly across from where the first stitch came up.

Continue stitching up the pumpkin segment, keeping the stitches one needle width apart, and making sure that the stitches lie flat and smooth on the fabric.

When you reach the top of the segment where the pumpkin leaf intersects, stitch one side of the segment then cross over on the back of the fabric and complete the other side.

After the top of the segment is competed, bring the needle and thread up one needles width below the first stitch and complete the segment stitching down to the bottom of the pumpkin. Stitch the second segment and continue until the pumpkin is completed.

Using two strands of embroidery floss. Knot one end of the thread and stitch between the pumpkin segments and the outer edge of the pumpkin with a Back Stitch. This a great way for the beginner to hide any irregular stitches!

Satin stitch the pumpkin stem and leaves. Stitch the vines using a Stem or Outline Stitch using one strand of floss.

More detailed instructions for all of the stitches mentioned, along with a pumpkin embroidery design can be found in the Heirloom Embroidery Book.