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First project: a crewel sampler leaf

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One leaf design using stem stitch, split stitch and long and short.

First projectBeginnerAn afternoon
ResearchedSewSift editorialChecked 1 Nov 2026

Step by step

  1. Transfer a simple leaf onto linen.
  2. Hoop it taut.
  3. Work the stem in stem stitch.
  4. Outline the leaf in split stitch.
  5. Fill it with long and short stitch in two or three shades of one colour.

Watch

Thread Painting Embroidery For Beginners [Leaf Tutorial] (23:35)
By Crewel Ghoul Embroidery · Open on YouTube

Chosen from its title and channel: a 23-minute video from Crewel Ghoul Embroidery on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.

All guides ›Crewel embroidery

Sources

All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

  1. Craftsy: What is crewel embroidery?
  2. Embroiderers' Guild of America: Crewel
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