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embroidery

Threaded Running Stitch: How to Work the Laced Embroidery Stitch

Threaded running stitch adds a laced second thread beneath a row of running stitches. Learn the two-pass method, tension tips, and color choices.

By ThatPainter Team 2 min read
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Threaded running stitch is made in two passes: sew a line of ordinary running stitches, then lace a second thread beneath them without stitching it through the fabric. The result keeps the dashed foundation line but adds a visible woven effect.

What makes it a threaded running stitch?

The stitch combines a foundation row of running stitches with a second thread passed beneath that row. The Textile Research Centre Leiden explains that “The second thread is laced through the foundation stitch without entering the ground material and without going back on itself (contrary to the comparable interlaced stitches).” That distinction matters: the lacing thread travels under the foundation stitches, not through the cloth. Textile Research Centre Leiden: threaded stitches

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How to work the stitch

  1. Sew the foundation row. Use ordinary running stitches to make a line. Keep the stitch lengths and gaps regular for an even rhythm, or vary them intentionally for a less uniform pattern.
  2. Prepare the lacing thread. Thread a blunt tapestry or embroidery needle with a second strand. A blunt point helps you slip under the foundation stitches rather than pierce the fabric or split the thread.
  3. Lace beneath the foundation stitches. Pass the needle under each visible running stitch in sequence. Do not take the lacing thread through the fabric, and do not cross over the foundation stitches.
  4. Adjust the tension. Let the lacing lie smoothly against the row without pulling it tight. A loose-enough foundation line helps prevent puckering as the second thread is added.

For a visual demonstration, see the Practical Embroidery tutorial.

Choose thread and needle for the effect

Embroidery thread and a blunt needle are the practical essentials for the lacing pass. A second color is optional: matching thread gives a quieter line, while a contrasting color makes the laced structure easier to see. There is no single required thread count, fabric, or needle size established for this stitch; choose materials that suit the scale of your foundation stitches.

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How it differs from plain running stitch

Stitch Structure and appearance
Plain running stitch A single line of stitches and gaps, producing a dashed effect.
Threaded running stitch The same kind of foundation line, with a second thread laced beneath its stitches for added color and texture.

The sources describe threaded running stitch as decorative, including for outlines, lettering, flower stems, and simple borders. Its main advantage over a plain running-stitch line is visual: the second thread adds a laced accent. No comparative evidence establishes that it is faster, more durable, or easier across different fabrics.

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Further reading

The Textile Research Centre Leiden’s overview of threaded stitches cites Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1934) as a reference for the broader stitch family. It is a historical reference, not a verified current edition or a tested materials recommendation. Read the Centre’s overview.

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