How to Do a Running Stitch

The running stitch is used in plastic canvas stitching to provide detail and to outline portions of the design. Running stitches in plastic canvas can be worked horizontally, vertically or diagonally, or in a combination of directions.

1. Thread your needle, leaving a 2-inch tail. Bring the needle up through the canvas from back to front (1), then take the needle down through the canvas from front to back (2).
2. Continue working running stitches in this manner either in a straight horizontal line, a vertical line, diagonal line or even all of the above.
3. Working running stitches in multiple directions allows you to stitch an outline around objects in the design of many shapes and sizes.