Basic embroidery kit
Step 1
Before you start, mark your design onto your fabric. You may find it helpful to add lines to your design to show you where you want to switch between shades.
Then mount it into an embroidery hoop. Make sure the fabric is pulled taut, as this stitch is likely to cause your fabric to bunch if it's not stretched properly.
Step 2
Begin by stitching a line of alternating long and short stitches for the first row, with the short stitches half the length of the long ones.
Try to angle your stitches so that they echo the shapes of your design for added realism.
Step 3
Then work subsequent rows using just long stitches, although the stitch length can be adjusted to suit the area.
Make sure your stitches come up through the previous ones so that no fabric is showing through.
Step 4
When you are ready, switch to the next colour – again using long stitches in a colour that's close to the current shade for a subtle transition.
You want both colours of stitching to overlap the line you used to mark the change in colours.
Step 5
Continue incorporating extra colours if your design requires it. Adding more colour will increase the depth and realism of your design.
Step 6
Add some optional straight stitches in a very light or dark colour to create more highlights and shading.
Become an expert in thread painting with Love Embroidery 
For more projects featuring thread painting and Long and Short Stitch, pick up a copy of  Love Embroidery : each issue is full of great modern embroidery projects and comes with clear, step-by-step instructions and stitch guides.
You can also find more embroidery patterns to try in our shop , including this  beautiful butterfly embroidery hoop pattern PDF , which originally appeared in issue 3 of Love Embroidery. Put your new thread painting skills to good use by stitching this stunning design in peachy shades.
Top tips for perfecting your thread painting
Vary your stitch length 
When working Long and Short Stitch, try changing the length of your stitches randomly across an area.
Doing this is a great way to prevent a repetitive pattern from becoming visible – thereby increasing the subtlety of the transition between shades.
Select the right colours
Blending between different colours is more effective when the shades are similar.
Picking threads in the same colour run is a great way to ensure a gradual transition from one shade to the next, which will look more natural.
A shade card has the colours laid out, moving from the lightest to the darkest of each colour family.
For a more dramatic transition between shades, pick colours with strong contrast.
Use fewer strands of thread
Reduce the number of strands used for an even smoother finish. The fewer the number of strands, the more seamless the transition between shades will be. We recommend using only one strand of thread.
This will also mean that the threads will lie flush to the fabric, as they won't be prone to twisting around each other as you stitch.
Angle your stitches
Change the direction of your Long and Short stitches to echo the shape of an area.
Whether you are trying to emulate the way fur would lie on an animal or to make a shape appear more 3D, it is a great way to add realism to a design.
Try drawing additional lines across the area before you begin stitching to act as a guide for direction.
Mastering the art of thread painting
Despite being comprised of very simple stitches, it can take a little bit of practice to get the smooth transitions that you're aiming for. But if you follow our instructions and top tips, you'll be an expert in no time!
An organised space makes it easier to learn!
As thread painting relies on precise and neat stitching with the use of multiple colours, keeping your threads organised is essential! Check out our  embroidery thread storage solutions  to give your space a refresh.
Read more:
