Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 minutes ago
This tutorial is a brief introduction to reversible stitching, as seen on the Britomart sampler. It is meant solely as an overview of some of the concepts and techniques involved, to help you decide if you would like to stitch the Britomart sampler (or another project) reversibly, and if so, how much supplemental instruction you will need to do so. This video looks at two foundational stitches for stitching reversibly: double running stitch (and how it differs from backstitch in form and utility), and reversible cross.
The Britomart sampler will be released on Tuesday, May 20 at 8:15 am PDT: kits and the class will be available at katie-strachan.com/shop
Charts are available from local needlework stores.
Recommended resources on reversible stitching:
The Proper Stitch by Darlene O'Steen: this is out of print, but readily available used. Prices have gone up sharply since I purchased my copy and are currently running around $30. This is the definitive written guide to reversible stitching, the stitches used, and methods.
Reversible Cross Stitch Sampler, Needlemade Designs: a superbly diagrammed and charted small sampler that covers four methods of stitching a reversible cross. It also has excellent diagrams and instructions covering stitch path and the adjustments needed for direction changes. Letters can be more difficult given the frequent direction changes. As an introduction to reversible stitching in just a single technique, this is the perfect small project.
The Britomart Sampler course from Katie Strachan Artisan Embroidery: available on May 20, the class will begin on September 15, running 8 months with one lesson posted every month. We will cover every detail of working the Britomart sampler both reversibly and single sided (a choose your own stitching adventure class), from starting and stopping your thread, to setting up your fabric, to how each stitch is used in each band of the Britomart sampler.
This tutorial is a brief introduction to reversible stitching, as seen on the Britomart sampler. It is meant solely as an overview of some of the concepts and techniques involved, to help you decide if you would like to stitch the Britomart sampler (or another project) reversibly, and if so, how much supplemental instruction you will need to do so. This video looks at two foundational stitches for stitching reversibly: double running stitch (and how it differs from backstitch in form and utility), and reversible cross.
The Britomart sampler will be released on Tuesday, May 20 at 8:15 am PDT: kits and the class will be available at katie-strachan.com/shop
Charts are available from local needlework stores.
Recommended resources on reversible stitching:
The Proper Stitch by Darlene O'Steen: this is out of print, but readily available used. Prices have gone up sharply since I purchased my copy and are currently running around $30. This is the definitive written guide to reversible stitching, the stitches used, and methods.
Reversible Cross Stitch Sampler, Needlemade Designs: a superbly diagrammed and charted small sampler that covers four methods of stitching a reversible cross. It also has excellent diagrams and instructions covering stitch path and the adjustments needed for direction changes. Letters can be more difficult given the frequent direction changes. As an introduction to reversible stitching in just a single technique, this is the perfect small project.
The Britomart Sampler course from Katie Strachan Artisan Embroidery: available on May 20, the class will begin on September 15, running 8 months with one lesson posted every month. We will cover every detail of working the Britomart sampler both reversibly and single sided (a choose your own stitching adventure class), from starting and stopping your thread, to setting up your fabric, to how each stitch is used in each band of the Britomart sampler.
