Roumanian Stitch Embroidery: Long Stitches Tied in the Middle
Roumanian stitch (also spelled Romanian) is a filling stitch in which each long stitch across a shape is tied down in the middle by a short slanting stitch. Worked side by side, the ties line up into a neat line or a slightly twisted ridge down the centre, which is why it is often used for leaves with a central vein. It is also known as Oriental stitch, Indian filling stitch and Janina stitch. A close relative, Romanian couching, ties one long laid thread down with several slanting stitches instead of one.
How to do Roumanian stitch, in short: make a long straight stitch across the shape, then bring the needle up near its middle and take a small slanted stitch over it to tie it down. Repeat side by side to fill the shape.
| Difficulty | Beginner to intermediate |
| Used for | Leaves, petals, feathers, borders, shapes too wide for satin stitch |
| Thread | 2–3 strands of stranded cotton |
| Needle | Embroidery (crewel) needle, size 7–9 |
| Tie-down | Short and slanted, at the same angle every time |
What You Need
- Fabric in a hoop, drum-tight. The long stitches lie well only on taut fabric.
- A centre line marked on the shape. This is where the ties go: the vein of a leaf, the middle of a band.
- Enough thread on the needle. Most of the thread stays on the front, so the stitch uses less thread than satin stitch, but each pass is long.
How to Work Roumanian Stitch
- Mark the centre line where the tie-down stitches will sit.
- Make the long stitch. Bring the needle up on one edge of the shape and take it down on the opposite edge, straight across.
- Bring the needle up close beside the long stitch, a little before the centre line.
- Make the tie. Cross over the long stitch at a slant and take the needle down close beside it on the other side, a little past the centre line. The long stitch is now caught in the middle.
- Start the next long stitch on the first edge, right next to the first one, and repeat: long stitch, then tie.
- Keep everything consistent. Long stitches touching each other, ties the same length and at the same angle, so they line up along the centre line.
Tension matters at the tie: pull it just firm enough to hold the long stitch flat. Pulled harder, it drags the long stitch into a V and the edges of the shape pull in.
Short Tie or Long Tie
| Tie-down | Look | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Very short, almost along the long stitch | Nearly hidden; the surface looks like satin stitch | Wide shapes that should look smooth |
| Medium, clearly slanted | A neat twisted ridge down the centre | Leaves with a vein, feathers |
| Long, at a sharp slant | A bold plaited line | Borders, decorative bands |
In shapes that taper, such as a leaf, the long stitches get shorter towards the tip, but the ties stay on the centre line. If the vein curves, move the ties along with it: the stitch still works as long as each tie crosses its long stitch somewhere near the middle.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The ties do not form a straight line | Ties placed at different points along the long stitches | Mark the centre line and bring every tie up and down on it. |
| The ridge looks irregular | The slant or length of the ties changes | Keep the tie at the same angle and length every time. |
| Long stitches sag or catch | The shape is too wide for one tie | Use Romanian couching (several ties per long stitch) or divide the shape. |
| Long stitches pulled into a V | Tie pulled too tight | Pull the tie only until the long stitch lies flat. |
| Fabric shows between the long stitches | Long stitches spaced apart, or too few strands | Bring each long stitch up right next to the last; add a strand. |
| Ragged edges | Long stitches start and end at different distances from the line | Come up and go down exactly on the outline, as in satin stitch. |
Where to Use Roumanian Stitch
- Leaves. The line of ties doubles as the vein, so one stitch gives both the fill and the detail.
- Petals of larger flowers. Where satin stitches would be too long to stay put.
- Feathers. The ridge reads as the shaft of the feather.
- Borders and bands. A wide line with a decorative centre.
- Wide shapes in one colour. A flat, even fill that does not loosen.
Roumanian Stitch vs Satin vs Fishbone vs Couching
- Satin stitch: the long stitches are not tied, so they have to stay short. Roumanian stitch fills wider shapes with a similar look.
- Fishbone stitch: slanted stitches that cross over each other at the centre line. Also gives a vein, but with a herringbone look and stitches angled towards the centre.
- Couching: a separate laid thread held down by small stitches in another thread. In Roumanian stitch the same thread lays the stitch and ties it.
If satin stitch keeps loosening on wider shapes, Roumanian stitch is the simplest fix. For an overview of all the basic stitches, see our complete guide to hand embroidery stitches.
Patterns to Practise Your Stitches On
Roumanian stitch can replace satin stitch in leaves and wider shapes. These beginner-friendly patterns are a good place to practise filling stitches.
New to Embroidery? Start with a Free Pattern
All of our free embroidery patterns in one place:
Roumanian Stitch FAQ
Is Roumanian stitch the same as Romanian couching?
They are close relatives. Roumanian stitch ties each long stitch with one slanting stitch in the middle; Romanian couching ties a longer laid thread with several slanting stitches.
What is Roumanian stitch used for?
Leaves with a central vein, petals, feathers, borders, and any shape too wide for satin stitch.
How long should the tie-down stitch be?
Short and slanted for a neat ridge. Make it shorter and closer to the line of the long stitch if the tie should be nearly invisible.
Does Roumanian stitch use less thread than satin stitch?
Yes. Most of the thread stays on the front, while satin stitch carries the thread across the back of the shape as well.
