Trailing Stitch: How to Stitch Raised, Corded Lines
Trailing makes a smooth, raised line that looks like a fine cord. First you lay one or more long threads along the line (the core), then you cover them completely with short, close stitches worked across them, like a very narrow satin stitch over a padding. It comes from whitework, where it is used for stems, scrolls and monograms, and it suits any outline that should stand out from the fabric. Because you can cut core strands away under the covering stitches, the line can also taper to a fine point.
How to do trailing, in short: lay a bundle of threads along the line as a core, then cover it completely with small satin stitches worked at right angles over the core, close together, so the line becomes a raised, rounded cord.
| Difficulty | Intermediate: easy to learn, takes practice to keep even |
| Used for | Raised stems, tendrils, scrolls, monograms, crisp outlines |
| Core thread | 4–6 strands of stranded cotton, or soft cotton or perle cotton |
| Covering thread | 1–2 strands of stranded cotton |
| Needle | Embroidery needle size 8–10 for covering; large chenille needle for the core ends |
| Stitch spacing | Covering stitches touching, with no fabric or core visible |
What You Need
- Core threads in the same colour as the covering thread, so any tiny gap does not show.
- A fine covering thread. 1–2 strands give small, neat wraps; thicker thread makes a lumpy line.
- Two needles: a fine embroidery needle for covering and a large chenille needle to take the core through the fabric.
- Fabric in a hoop, drum-tight. Close covering stitches pull on the fabric, and loose fabric puckers.
How to Work Trailing
- Bring the core threads up at the start of the line with the chenille needle, and lay them along the line.
- Hold the core in place with your other hand, or tack it down with a few temporary stitches every 1–2 cm.
- Bring the covering thread up right against the core on one side, at the start of the line.
- Take it over the core and down right against the core on the other side, at a right angle to the line. Angle the needle slightly under the core so the stitch hugs it.
- Come up again on the first side, right next to the previous stitch. The stitches should touch, with no core showing between them.
- Keep coming up on the same side and going down on the other, so all the stitches lie the same way.
- At the end, take the core threads to the back with the chenille needle, cover the last few millimetres, and secure both threads on the back.
On curves, fan the covering stitches: they sit closer together on the inside of the curve and slightly further apart on the outside, always pointing towards the centre of the curve.
Core Thickness and Tapering
| Look | Core | Covering |
|---|---|---|
| Fine raised line, tendrils | 2–3 strands | 1 strand |
| Standard stem or outline | 4–6 strands | 1–2 strands |
| Bold stem, monogram | 8–12 strands or perle cotton No. 5 | 2 strands |
To taper the line, cut one or two core strands at a slant close to the fabric a few stitches before the point, and keep covering what remains. Repeat until only one or two strands are left, then take those to the back at the tip. The line narrows smoothly to a fine end, which is how whitework stems and scrolls get their pointed tips.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The core shows between stitches | Covering stitches too far apart | Place each stitch right against the previous one. Use a core in the same colour as the covering thread. |
| Covering stitches slant or twist | The needle goes in at points that are not opposite each other | Come up and go down right against the core, exactly opposite each other. |
| The core drifts off the line | The core is not held while you cover it | Hold it in place with your other hand, or tack it down every 1–2 cm before covering. |
| The line is lumpy and uneven | Core strands twisted or bunched, or uneven covering tension | Lay the core strands parallel and pull every covering stitch with the same tension. |
| Stitches crowd on the inside of curves | Stitches kept parallel instead of fanned | Fan the stitches so they point towards the centre of the curve. |
| The fabric puckers along the line | Covering stitches pulled too tight | Pull just until the stitch sits snugly around the core. |
Where to Use Trailing
- Raised stems and branches. A trailed stem stands out next to flat satin stitch leaves.
- Tendrils and scrolls. Tapered ends make spirals look delicate.
- Monograms and lettering. A smooth, raised line with crisp edges.
- Crisp outlines. Around filled shapes or as a border.
- Whitework. White-on-white designs, where texture and height do the work of colour.
Trailing vs Couching vs Satin Stitch
- Couching: the laid thread is held by spaced tacking stitches and stays visible. Trailing covers the core completely.
- Padded satin stitch: fills a shape over padding stitches. Trailing is the same idea, but along a line and over a laid core.
- Overcast stitch: similar to trailing, but the core is a line of running or split stitch rather than loose laid threads.
For an overview of all the basic stitches, see our complete guide to hand embroidery stitches.
Practice on a Real Pattern
The pattern below uses trailing, along with other basic stitches. It is also a beginner-friendly pattern.
New to Embroidery? Start with a Free Pattern
All of our free embroidery patterns in one place:
Trailing Stitch FAQ
What is the difference between trailing and couching?
In couching, the laid thread is held by small, spaced stitches and stays visible. In trailing, close stitches cover the laid threads completely, giving a raised line.
What thread should I use for the core?
Several strands of stranded cotton, soft cotton or perle cotton, in the same colour as the covering thread.
How do you taper trailing to a point?
Cut the core strands away one or two at a time as you get close to the point, and keep covering the remaining strands.
Is trailing the same as satin stitch?
The covering stitches are satin stitches, but trailing works them along a line over a laid core, so it gives a raised cord instead of a flat fill.
