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Learn The Basics Of Drawn Thread Embroidery

Drawn thread embroidery is a technique in embroidery that involves removing the threads of an evenly woven fabric and then making decorative stitches to manipulate the threads. It can result in beautiful, intricate patterns and designs.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn the basics of drawn thread work, including how to remove threads, weaving them into the fabric, and how to manipulate the threads using the hem stitch.

drawn thread embroidery on light blue fabric

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Drawn Thread Embroidery Tutorial

drawn thread embroidery supplies - scissors, tapestry needle, even weave fabric, pearl cotton, and an embroidery hoop

Supplies You’ll Need

  • Embroidery scissors
  • Embroidery floss or pearl cotton – available on Amazon
  • Tapestry needle – available Amazon
  • Embroidery hoop
  • Even weave or linen fabric – available on Amazon

Drawn thread embroidery uses even weave or linen for the foundational fabric. These fabrics are evenly woven, meaning there are the same amount of warp and weft (horizontal and vertical) threads throughout the entire piece of fabric.

Select a fabric that has a thread count that’s around 25-32 threads per square inch. The threads of the fabric should be somewhat open and easily visible, which will make it easier to count and remove individual threads.

Note: While Aida fabric is considered to be an evenly woven fabric, it won’t work for this style of embroidery.

Getting Started

The process of drawn thread work can be broken down into 3 different steps:

  • first you remove the threads
  • then the edges of the fabric are secured with stitches or by weaving the removed threads back into the fabric
  • finally, stitches are made to manipulate the drawn threads

Before we get started, it’s helpful to plan out how many stitches in an area you’re going to remove. You’ll want to count the vertical threads that are present in the area so you can plan out how you want to group the drawn threads (usually in groups of 2, 3, or 4).

For this example, we’ll keep it simple and work the stitch in groups of 2, so I drew out 64 threads.

Removing The Threads

removing threads step 1

Carefully cut the horizontal stitches in the center of the area you want to do the drawn thread work.

removing threads step 2

For this example, I cut 7 horizontal threads. Be very careful to only cut the horizontal threads, leaving all of the vertical threads intact.

Securing And Weaving Threads

reweaving threads step 1

Next, you’ll carefully remove one horizontal thread. You’ll need to remove enough so that you can thread the needle with this strand. For this example, I removed 32 stitches.

reweaving threads step 2

Repeat along both sides of the cut threads. Then thread the strand on a tapestry needle and weave the thread you removed back into the fabric 3 or 4 times. Make sure you pull the thread to the back of the embroidery to finish it.

reweaving threads step 3

The sides will become more dense looking, but it shouldn’t be super obvious where you have woven the threads back in. Run your needle across the area to flatten the stitches.

reweaving threads step 4

Remove and weave all of the cut threads one at a time. Leave the loose strands on the back until you’re completely finished just in case you need to readjust anything.

drawn threads

Once you’re all done, the fabric should look something like this.

How To Hem Stitch

hem stitch step 1

Thread your needle with a piece of embroidery thread. To secure the strand, you can tie a knot in the end or work 2 or 3 back stitches starting in the top right corner 2 or 3 stitches away from the drawn threads. Then skip two threads and place your needle up through the fabric.

hem stitch step 2

Then place your needle and thread across the 2 threads and back down through the fabric.

hem stitch step 3

Come up to the left of the 2 threads with needle and thread.

hem stitch step 4

Then go back down through the fabric, 2 stitches up into the fabric, away from the drawn threads. Repeat across the entire top area of the drawn threads.

finishing hem stitch

To secure the threads or start a new thread, you can place the thread underneath existing stitches. Make sure to trim the thread close to the fabric so no stray threads show through to the front.

finished hem stitch embroidery

After you have made the hem stitch across the entire top area, the embroidery should look something like this.

You can repeat the hem stitches the same way along the bottom of the stitches. Or you can make a diagonal hem stitch, which will form a zig-zag like appearance.

Diagonal Hem Stitch

diagonal hem stitch

To make a diagonal hem stitch, stagger the hem stitches. Start by making a hem stitch across 1 vertical thread. Then for the rest of the stitches, make hem stitches across 2 threads. When you get to the very last stitch, make the stitch across 1 vertical thread.

Additional Learning And Sources

This post goes over the very basics of drawn thread work. There is so much more! To learn more advanced techniques and variations, you can find some helpful content online and in the embroidery books that are listed below.

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